Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent's Report - November 10, 2025

Opening of the East Lansing Public Schools Health Center is Near

The ELPS Health Center team is so excited to meet you – just a few finishing touches are left to complete before they’re ready to open!

In the meantime, please check out the health center’s webpage to learn more about how they’ll be able to support your child and family. If you haven’t already, feel free to complete the consent form and return it to your child’s teacher or deliver it to the health center directly. If you have any questions about future care, you can reach the center by calling (517) 827 – 9290.

Keep your eyes on our page for future updates, including an opening date!

Local Resources for Families

We recognize that some of our families may be experiencing hardship or additional need during this time of the government shutdown.

1. Here is a link of local resources for families: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BgKzGufX--muqsStU9KIIkQUPUB7wwdm/view?usp=sharing

2. Help ELPS fill our “Weekend Survival Kits” to send home with families for Thanksgiving week.

This year, ELPS students have no school all of Thanksgiving week. Many of our students andfamilies rely on the free breakfasts and lunches provided at our school buildings. We will begathering non-perishable, student-friendly breakfast, lunch and snack items to packThanksgiving Week Survival Kits to distribute to our families during this extended time awayfrom school.

How can you help?

Purchase selected food items from our Amazon Wish List:https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/27VEY5ZCSKUWY?ref_=wl_share
Contribute money for us to purchase breakfast, lunch and snack food items for our Thanksgiving Week Survival Kits. Venmo money to: @dori-leyko (5776 if you need thel ast four phone number digits)

We will collect items and funds through Monday, November 17 and communicate ways tor equest or pick up Thanksgiving Week Survival Kits early next week, once we know what we have to distribute.

School Closing Procedures for Winter Weather Events

As we enter “Snow Day Season,” I’d like to share some information about how the decision of whether or not to close school is made and how a school closing will be communicated.

Many weather factors are considered when determining whether or not to close school:
- Amount of snow and/or ice (current and predicted)
- Timing of snow and/or ice
- Temperature and wind chill (sustained wind chills of -20 degrees or lower will result in school closing or delay)
- Road and sidewalk conditions (specifically for walkers and young drivers)
- Whether or not wind may cause blowing and drifting
- Other factors such as visibility and power outages

I complete a road check throughout the district beginning around 4:15 a.m. and communicate with other local superintendents and sometimes the City of East Lansing and/or ELPD.

2. When possible, we will make the decision the night before in order to give families as much time as possible to prepare for a school closing. If a decision to close schools is made the night before, it will be communicated no later than 10:00 p.m. If the decision to close school is made in the morning, we will do our best to communicate by5:30 a.m. (and no later than 6:00 a.m., pending new information that would require school to close).

3. If a decision is made to close school, the closing is communicated to staff and families via the following methods:• Robocall (and text if you have that feature turned on)o Please make sure your phone number is current in PowerSchool!• ELPS Facebook page and other official ELPS social media• ELPS Website – main page• Local TV stations: WILX, WLNS, Fox 47

4. Information about other events (practices, games, concerts, etc.) will be made by 1:00 p.m.and communicated through coaches and advisors and/or the district website.

Follow our ELPS Social Media

To see daily communication and happenings in the district, follow one of our social media platforms:

On Facebook – East Lansing Public Schools
On Instagram – @eastlansingps
On X (formerly Twitter) - @eastlansingps

Important Dates

November 24 – 28: No school Thanksgiving week
Friday, December 12: No school for students (Staff Professional Learning Day)
December 22 – January 2: Winter Break

Superintendent's Report - October 27, 2025

No School for Students this Friday, October 31

This Friday is our second of five Professional Learning Fridays, and there will be no school for students.

ELPS Sex Ed Advisory Board Curriculum Open House

ELPS is considering a new HIV/STI prevention and sex education curriculum for high school health classes: Rights, Respect and Responsibility published by Advocates for Youth.

The Michigan-Aligned version of Rights, Respect and Responsibility has undergone review by a team of district educators, administrators and parents/guardians and has been recommended to the ELPS Board of Education for consideration. As part of ELPS’s curriculum review and adoption process, members of the school community – caregivers, parents, families, educators, staff and students – are all welcome to review lessons and materials, ask questions and provide input about the recommendation. The Board of Education will take action on this recommendation at the December 8, 2025 Board meeting.

The Open House will be held Wednesday, November 5, 2025 in the Hub in East Lansing High School (upper level outside the media center). The Open House will run from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. with a presentation from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Pizza and light refreshments will be available.