The classroom environment can make all the difference in your child's education. That's why the Lansing School District is giving students a say in new furniture but doing it in a creative way.
It's all part of the Pathway Promise Bus Tour which is made possible through a $120 million bond approved last year.
The smiles on kid’s faces said it all as they tested out chairs and tables at Reo Elementary School in Lansing.
“It's absolutely essential that they know they have a say in what happens to them in their educational experience,” said Lansing School District Superintendent Yvonne Caamal Canul.
The approved bond passed in 2015 has given the Lansing School District new life.
“It really has been a difficult time these last several years because we have escalating costs and flat lined our per-pupil allocation,” said Caamal Canul. “But you know we've hung in there as a district and our community has hung in there with us,” said Caamal Canul.
After choosing their favorites students then placed their votes to be later tallied up.
The idea behind the furniture is to make the classroom flexible.
“In order for teachers to be able to work in small groups or project based learning, which is what we want our kids involved in, you need to have furniture that's really flexible so that the tables move and the chairs move easily,” said said Caamal Canul.
The Pathway Promise Bus tour is scheduled to make 15 stops in total spreading smiles district wide.
“The student is worth the effort that we put, that our community does to say you know you deserve the best that we can give you,” said Caamal Canul.
The Lansing School District is also planning technology and construction projects including construction at Fairview Elementary School.
