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Lander Friday Newsletter 10-2-2026

Posted Date: 10/02/26 (04:18 PM)

Lander Friday Newsletter

10-2-2026

A cartoon leopard mascot wearing sunglasses and a 'LEOPARDS' t-shirt, striking a pose.

Message from Mr. Cramer:

Happy October, Lander Families!

It’s hard to believe we are already more than a month into the school year! The time has certainly flown by, and we couldn’t be happier with how wonderfully the year has started. Our students have settled into their routines, built new connections, and continue to demonstrate the enthusiasm, effort, and positive attitudes that make Lander such a special place to learn and grow. We are so proud of all they have accomplished so far!

This week, we had the opportunity to celebrate our first Lander Kindness Kids and Students of the Month! It was exciting to recognize these students for their accomplishments and celebrate their hard work, kindness, and positive contributions to our school community. Be sure to scroll down to see pictures of our wonderful honorees!

Please check out the information throughout the newsletter as October is a busy month at Lander!

As always, we are here to support you and your family throughout the school year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, our school counselor, office team, or administrative staff with any questions, concerns, or needs. We truly value our partnership with families and look forward to continuing to work together to make this a memorable and successful year for every Lander Leopard!

Have a great weekend,
Mr. Cramer, Mr. Samber and Mrs. Miller
 

Important Dates!

Oct 7:  PTG Meeting at 7pm in the library
Oct. 8:  Lander Dine to Donate at Texas Roadhouse 4-8pm
Oct 9:  No school - NEOEA Day
Oct 15:  Picture Day! 
Oct 15:  Marcos Pizza Box Night (grades K-1)
Oct 23: 1st Quarter Ends - No school for students; Teacher Work Day
Oct 29:  Trunk or Treat 6-7pm
Oct 30:  Fall Harvest Classroom Parties
Nov 2:  Lander Night at the Cavs game! See details below
 

Students of the Month for September!

Seven elementary students proudly display their Student of the Month certificates in front of a colorful school mural.
Five elementary students proudly hold their 'Student of the Month' certificates in front of a green school mural.
Five students sit in a row against a green school wall, proudly displaying their 'Student of the Month' certificates.
Five children proudly hold "Student of the Month" certificates in front of a colorful school mural featuring a mascot and the words "CURIOSITY" and "COMMUNICATION."
Five young students proudly hold up their Student of the Month certificates in front of a green school mural.
Four smiling elementary school students stand proudly in front of a green wall, holding up their Student of the Month certificates.
A student proudly holds a "Student of the Month" certificate in front of a green wall with a large leopard mascot.
 

Kindness Kid Recipients for September!

Five children proudly hold their Lander Kindness Kid certificates in front of a green banner that reads "Be the "I" in KIND."
Five smiling students proudly hold Lander Kindness Kid certificates in front of a green banner that reads "Be the "I" in KIND."
Five children proudly hold up their kindness certificates in front of a large green banner that reads, 'Be the 'I' in KIND.'
Six smiling children hold up "Kindness Kid of the Month" certificates in front of a large green banner that reads "Be the 'I' in KIND".
Seven smiling children stand proudly holding certificates in front of a large green banner that reads "Be the "I" in KIND".
Four smiling students proudly hold up 'Kindness Kid of the Month' certificates in front of a green banner that reads, 'Be the "I" in KIND'.
 

Important Attendance Reminders:

One missed day may not seem like much, but absences can add up quickly. Missing just one day every other week equals approximately 18 days over a 180-day school year, reaching the threshold for chronic absenteeism.

Chronic absenteeism means missing 10% or more of the school year, including both excused and unexcused absences. Regular attendance helps students stay connected to their classmates, keep pace with instruction and build the routines they need for success.

If you need any support for your child, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's counselor, principal, or classroom teacher. We are here to help and want to work together to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Together, we can make every day of learning count!
 

PICTURE DAY - Thursday, October 15th

Your Picture Day Photo Date is: Thursday, October 15
Your Online Access Key is:   E5G5R5AB

*Paper order forms will go home with students this week.

Save time and preorder your student’s photographs on the Ripcho Studio prepay site before Picture Day by clicking the online ordering link above.
 
Don’t want to preorder online? You can also view and print the portrait package order form by clicking the “Portrait Packages” button below. Print the order form, fill out the requested information, and give the order form to the photographer on Picture Day with the full payment enclosed.

*Parents who have multiple children must place a separate prepay order online for each child.

Questions? Please contact us at 800-686-7427, ext. 28 or e-mail us at customerservice@ripchostudio.com
 
 

Family GRIT Sharing Form

Families are encouraged to complete this form to share with our staff how their child has shown GRIT outside of school!

Complete G.R.I.T. Form Here
 

School Fees Now Available in Infinite Campus

Dear Parents/Guardians,

School fees have been loaded to student accounts and are now available for review and payment in Infinite Campus / Fees. Please log in at your earliest convenience to review your child's fees and submit payment online via credit card. (Mayfield is a cashless/checkless district, online payments only).  

All fees are due by October 31, 2026.

Fees are used for any and all consumable items (i.e., math workbooks, handwriting workbooks, ELA benchmark supplies, synergy supplies, IXL/Seesaw/Schoology subscriptions, etc). 

Please note that unpaid fees may impact a student's ability to participate in certain school activities, including field trips.

If you have any questions regarding your child's fees, please contact your child's school office for assistance.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
 

CLINIC NEWS

If your child will require medication during the school day or has a health condition that will require special care during the upcoming school year, click on this link: Student Health Services. Along the right side of the page will be forms to download and print for your student’s specific needs. After these forms have been completed by you and your healthcare provider, they can be returned to the school via fax at 440-995-7355 or you can email them to Kathy Schmidt at kschmidt@mayfieldschools.org.

Please have all forms and medications at the school by 8/24/2026 so that your child is all set for the first day of school.
Mayfield City Schools guidelines for preventing communicable disease spread.
 

FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION

Food Service Website
Free/Reduce Meal Benefits
 

October - Breakfast Menu

A school breakfast menu calendar for October 2026, detailing daily food options from Monday to Friday.

October - Lunch Menu

A school lunch menu calendar for October 2026, decorated with autumn leaves and jack-o'-lanterns.
 

Hazel Health

Poster promoting Hazel Health's online therapy program for students, featuring icons for expert support, proven results, and fast access.
 

Right at School - Before & After Care Info!

***RAS pick up and drop off door is #12 (near the gym)

Right at School Website
 

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation Website Info
Edulog Parent Portal Info
A QR code with a black and white pixelated pattern.

Edulog Bus App

Stay Informed with Our Bus Tracking App

You have access to a revolutionary smartphone app that helps to improve communication, school bus safety, and efficiency.

The Edulog Parent Portal app provides you with planned time and location information for your child's bus ride to and from school. On a daily basis, the app will show you the GPS location of the bus and send you a push notification when it is nearing your bus stop.

This app is free of charge for our parents, caregivers, and students. In addition to displaying the location of your bus and sending the notifications, you can also receive time-sensitive messages from our transportation department. You will also receive notification when a substitute bus is running your route due to maintenance, absences, etc.
 

Lander Night at the Cavs Game!

Promotional flyer for Lander Elementary Night at Rocket Arena featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers.
 

Trick or Treat Event - Hosted by PTG!

A Halloween event flyer for Trick or Treat on Jack-O-Lander Lane at Lander Elementary, featuring children in costumes.
Volunteer Sign Up Link
A brown Halloween flyer with the text 'FEED ME LOTS OF CANDY!!!' surrounded by illustrations of candy, lollipops, a black cat, and a monster pop.
 

Lander PTG Info

Purchase PTG Membership
A flyer lists October PTG dates against a wooden background decorated with pumpkins and autumn leaves.
A promotional flyer for a Texas Roadhouse fundraising event for Lander Elementary on Thursday, October 8, from 4 PM to 9 PM.
Lander Parent Teacher Group 2026-2027 meeting schedule from September to May.
 

Info from Mayfield's District Parent Mentor

Community Resource Directory
 
Religious Exemption Day Form
 

Pics from around the building:

Three children sit on a colorful classroom rug, playing an educational card game with numbers and pictures.
Four children sit at a table in a bright classroom, smiling as they build towers with colorful blocks using activity sheets.
Three students sit at a table in a brightly lit classroom, focusing on their individual assignments.
Students are seated at long tables in a bright classroom, actively working on drawing and writing assignments.
A group of children and adults stand along a wooded trail, looking closely at the lush green foliage.
A group of children and an instructor gather in a wooded area to look at something on a hand.
 

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES EFFECTIVE 9-8-26

A top-down diagram shows a parking lot traffic flow, including a designated drop-off zone, entrance, and exit paths.
  • Cars will pull in the Lander main driveway on the left side. Stay to the left at all times.
  • Cars will follow the Temple parking lot route and then continue, as shown, through the back parking lot to the drop off/pick up zones.
  • Students should enter/exit the car on the left side for both arrival and dismissal.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we attempt to 
expedite the car line process and reduce traffic congestion.

School arrival information for car riders and walkers, detailing drop-off times and procedures.
A flyer titled 'Dismissal' details procedures for car riders and walkers, with dismissal times from 2:20 to 2:30pm.
 

Community Info:

A flyer for Mayfield Girls Basketball tryouts featuring program details, schedules, costs, and QR codes.
 

Mayfield Library Events For October:

Mayfield Public Library Website
Baby Club
Ages birth – 35 months with parent/caregiver
Thursdays, October 01, October 8, October 15, October 22, October 29
10:30am – 11:30am
Boost your baby’s brain through play!
Join us for a five-week club for caregivers and children ages birth to 35 months. Connect with your kids and other families, and get answers about your growing child. Siblings welcome!
Parents ages 18 and older who register to participate in Baby Club will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a $529 college savings award from Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage for their child.
 
Chess & Checkers Club
Grades 1-5
Saturday, October 10
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Drop in to play chess and checkers with other kids. All skill levels welcome!
 
Fascinating Optical Illusion Spinners
For children grades 2 - 4th
Saturday, October 10
10:00am - 11:00am
Create an optical illusion spinner!
 
Homeschool Hangouts
For families
Wednesday, October 21
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Homeschool families with kids ages 5-12 are invited to join us for a monthly hangout program, with social, creative, and interactive activities for the whole family! 
"It Takes a Village" LEGO night: Bring your best architectural creativity, because everybody will get the chance to contribute a building to a collaborative LEGO village.
 
Winnie-the-Pooh's Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Ages 2 - 7
Thursday, October 15
6:00pm - 6:45pm
Did you know this week marks the 100th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh? Join us for a storytime and stuffie sleepover to celebrate this special anniversary!
Children ages 2-7 are invited to leave a stuffed animal at the library overnight. Then, come visit us at Winnie-the-Pooh's 100th Acre Anniversary Party on Saturday, 10/17, to see what adventures they had while the library was closed! (Stuffed animals may be picked up any time Friday or Saturday.) Tip: We recommend bringing one that isn’t your child's very favorite, since they’ll be at the library all night, but that’s up to you! 
 
Winnie-the-Pooh's 100th Acre Anniversary Party
For families
Saturday, October 17
10:00am - 1:00pm
Did you know that this week marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne? Celebrate a century in the Hundred Acre Wood with crafts, snacks, and a scavenger hunt!
Drop in anytime during the program to join the fun. No registration required!
 
Mad Science Bubble Lab
Grades 1 - 5
Friday, October 23
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Uh oh! Dr. Frankenstein’s experiments are out of control, and he needs your help! From bubbles that won’t pop to bubbles you can stand inside, this is one experiment you won’t want to miss.
Drop in anytime during the program to join the fun. No registration required!
 
National Chemistry Week: Chemistry Under Construction
Grades 2nd-6th
Saturday, October 24
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Come join us for fun, hands on activities that let you get close to the action! Be prepared to 
 

Stay Connected with Us!

Please feel free to reach out if you need anything:

Shawn Cramer, Principal scramer@mayfieldschools.org

Mike Samber, Assistant Principal msamber@mayfieldschools.org

Tara Kelley, School Counselor tkelley@mayfieldschools.org

Brittany German, School Psychologist bgerman@mayfieldschools.org

Nicky Digeronimo, School Secretary, NDiGERONIMO@mayfieldschools.org

Jamie Perry, School Secretary, jperry@mayfieldschools.org

Kathy Schmidt, Health Care Paraprofessional, kschmidt@mayfieldschools.org
A laptop surrounded by colorful social media icons and speech bubbles.
A school mural welcomes visitors with a jaguar wearing a cap.

Lander Elementary School

We are Lander Elementary School, home of the Lander Leopards! We serve approximately 500 students in grades K-5th from the Mayfield Heights Community. We consider ourselves a family and work to ensure that our students feel safe and welcome.
Phone: 440-995-7350
Instagram: @LanderElemMayfield



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