Superintendent's Bi-Weekly Report to the Board of Education

ELPS Superintendent’s Report September 23, 2024

Thank You Kiwanis Club of East Lansing

Thanks to the Kiwanis Club of East Lansing and the huge efforts and advocacy of ELPS parent Diane Tubbs, there are now FOUR book vending machines in ELPS, with more to come!

WILX featured ELPS and the book vending machines on their Schools Rule segment last week:

https://www.wilx.com/2024/09/20/schools-rule-elementary-schools-east-lansing-encourage-reading- with-book-vending-machines/

No School for Students Friday, October 11 due to Staff Professional Learning

Friday, October 11 is the first of five Professional Learning Fridays for ELPS staff. Students do not have classes on these days. For planning purposes, here is a list of the five “No School for Students” Fridays:

• Friday, October 11, 2024
• Friday, November 1, 2024
• Friday, February 14, 2025
• Friday, March 7, 2025
• Friday, April 25, 2025
  
  

Annual Reminders and Information for Families and Staff

-     Be SMART – Secure Gun Storage

Firearms are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. The Board of Education passed a Safe Gun Storage Resolution at their March 13, 2023 meeting which includes annual notice to families about the importance of secure gun storage to protect minors from accessing unsecured guns.

The Be SMART website includes numerous handouts and other resources on best practices for gun storage, types of storage and guidance for talking to your children about guns. The handouts can be accessed here: https://besmartforkids.org/secure-gun-storage/resources/

ELPS is proud to offer free gun safety locks for distribution to students, families and staff – this opportunity is made possible through the Michigan State Police (MSP) Grants and Community Services Division. Please email Director of Health and Safety, Matt Morales at matthew.morales@elps.us if you would like to pick up a free gun safety lock.

-     OK2Say

This year, Michigan is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of OK2Say! OK2Say is the student safety program which allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees, and schools. It uses a comprehensive communication system to facilitate tip sharing among students, parents, school personnel, community mental health service programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and law enforcement officials about harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt the learning environment. Anyone can report tips confidentially 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

By phone: 8-555-OK2Say (855-565-2729)

By text: 652729 (OK2Say) By email: OK2Say@mi.gov

By downloading the OK2Say app

Here is a link to the 2023 OK2Say annual report: OK2SAY 2023 Annual Report

-     ELPS Anti-Bullying Policy – Policy 5207

ELPS is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students. Policy 5207 includes relevant definitions, as well as reporting and investigation procedures. In addition, all ELPS staff members complete annual bullying training as part of their professional development.

Please Complete Education Benefits Form (a.k.a. Free & Reduced Lunch Form)

We are thankful to Michigan lawmakers who included funding for free breakfast and lunch meals for all pre-K through high school students again this school year; however, we still need families to complete the Education Benefits Form. Certain funding, such as 31a At-Risk and Title 1, are based on data from these forms. Please complete the online form in the Parent Portal of the ELPS website as soon as possible - this will help ensure constant funding for the coming years.

Next Board Meeting

October 14, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the ELHS Board of Education room