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Lander Friday Newsletter 10-9-2026

Posted Date: 10/09/26 (09:50 AM)
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Lander Friday Newsletter

10-9-2026

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

Message from Mr. Cramer:

Lander Families,
We are enjoying our time with your students and are so proud of the progress and success we have already seen this school year. October is here, and we have just a couple of weeks remaining in the first quarter! We are grateful for the continued support of our Lander families and look forward to staying connected and working together throughout the school year. Thank you for your continued support in reinforcing the importance of our students demonstrating the 4 P’s each day. Our students continue to show what it means to be Prompt, Polite, Prepared, and Productive as they learn and grow throughout our school community.

Please check out the information in the newsletter from our PTG. There are several events coming up this month!

Please save the date for our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences! We will send additional information next week regarding how and when to sign up.
  • Thursday, November 12: Evening conferences
  • Friday, November 13: Daytime conferences (no school for students)
We look forward to connecting with families and sharing your child’s progress and goals for the remainder of the school year.

Attention 3rd Grade Families: The Fall State Reading Test is quickly approaching. Third-grade students will be testing during the week of October 26–30. Your child’s teacher will provide additional information, including the specific date(s) your child will be testing.
If you know in advance that your child will be absent on a day that week, please communicate this with your child’s teacher as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly.

As always, we are here to support you and your child in any way we can. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher, school counselor, office team, or administrative team with any questions or concerns. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to ensure your child has a successful and rewarding school year!

Go Leopards!

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

Important Dates!

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 23:  Cookie Dough Fundraiser Pick up 12:30-5:00pm (gym doors 12&13)
Week of Oct 26: 3rd grade Fall ELA State Testing. Teacher have communicated testing dates to families.
Oct 29:  PTG Trick or Treat Event in the gym 6-7pm (see flyer below)
Oct 30:  Fall Harvest Classroom Parties
Oct 31: School Fees Due (see details below)
Nov 2:  Lander Night at the Cavs game! See details below
Nov 4:  PTG meeting at 7pm in the library
Nov 6:  No school for students; Staff PD Day
Nov 12:  Parent-Teacher Conferences (3:00-9:00pm)
Nov 13:  No school for students; Parent-Teacher Conferences (8:00am-3:00pm)
Nov 25:  No school - Conference Comp Day
Nov 26-27:  No school - Thanksgiving Break
 

*Parent-Teacher Conferences are Nov 12th and 13th. Sign-up link will be sent to out soon.

 

Fall Fun Fest & Costume Guidelines 10-30-26

An informational flyer titled "Fall Fun Fest Guidelines" with a festive orange and autumn leaf background.
 

Classroom Party Volunteer Info for Fall Fun Fest on 10-30

Sign up Here to Volunteer
We are excited to welcome parent volunteers to our Fall Fun Fest room parties! Volunteers will assist the children with snack distribution, games & cleanup.

The Fall Fun Fest is Friday October 30th, starting with our Annual Costume Parade at 1:15 pm on the Lander Playground. Finishing with a classroom party at 1:30pm. Please plan to be available 12:55-2:15pm (to allow for check in & cleanup).

Please note! All volunteers will need to visit the office prior to October 30th with their driver’s license/State ID in order to be cleared through Lander's Visitor Security System.

On the day of the party:
  • Parent volunteers will enter through the gym door at 12:50 pm to be checked in and receive your visitor badge. Please note that Kdg-1st parent volunteers will go to the classrooms upon arrival to help students get on their costumes and head to the playground after all students are in their costumes.
  • All other parents (2nd-5th) will go outside for the parade and then accompany their class into the building upon completion of the parade. Once they arrive back at the school, please follow them up to the classroom to assist with the party. 
  • All the materials for the party will already be distributed to each classroom so there will be no need for preparation.
  • Please check out at 2:00 pm through the main office doors. Parent volunteers will not be in the parade as the event is for students and staff only. 

A maximum of 5 volunteers are allowed per classroom. One guest per student, you must sign up for YOUR student's class. Spots will be filled on a first come first serve basis. 
Each guest can attend one party per school year, per student- attendance will be tracked to ensure equity among participants. 

Please contact Lydia Ford FORDL6@ccf.org or Brittany Smerke  brittanysmerke@gmail.com with any questions.

Thank you! 
 

Important Attendance Reminders:

An informational poster from Mayfield City Schools titled 'Every Day Counts', emphasizing the importance of consistent attendance.
 

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

A flyer on a wooden background lists October PTG dates with pumpkins and autumn leaves.
A promotional flyer for Marco's Pizza Box Night on October 15th, 2026, in Mayfield Heights, detailing how to order online or by phone.
A promotional flyer for Marco's Pizza night on October 15th, featuring instructions to support Lander Elementary.
A flyer for a fall fundraiser delivery day featuring two chocolate chip cookies at the top.
A thank you poster for the Lander Elementary PTGS Fall Fundraiser, surrounded by chocolate chip cookies.
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:

teacher helping students with their Math on the computer
two students working together on a Math acitivity
students discussing a science experiment on a field trip
students working together in nature
3 students working on a learning activity
two students working on computers together
 

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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