Dear LPS families,
I hope you were able to see our exciting message from the Board of Education today:
Principal's Note
Leland, MI – The Leland Public School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan T. Huppert, M.Ed., as the district’s next Superintendent, effective July 1, 2025.
Huppert brings two decades of experience in public education, including 15 years in school leadership. He recently completed his Doctorate of Education Leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and served as a Resident to the Superintendent in Revere Public Schools, Massachusetts. A native of West Michigan, Huppert is an award-winning former principal known for leading City High Middle School in Grand Rapids to a National Blue Ribbon Award and consecutive #1 rankings in Michigan by U.S. News & World Report.
Known for his collaborative leadership style and dedication to educating the whole child, Huppert emphasizes wellbeing, belonging, and deeper learning. He is a bilingual leader, experienced in instructional innovation, professional development, and strategic planning.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Huppert to Leland,” said Kate Vilter-Stassen, Leland Public School Board President. “His passion for student-centered education and proven record of success, make him an ideal fit to lead our school into the future. We are so thankful for the community input during this process."
Thank you to our Board of Education members for their hard work throughout this process!
In other news, next week marks one of my favorite weeks of the school year: Teacher Appreciation Week! Please take some time to ensure you are connected to our PTO, which has lots of activities and challenges organized to celebrate our amazing teachers next week.
If you haven’t received regular email updates from our PTO, just email ptoleland@gmail.com to be included in their monthly emails.
As usual, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions: sfehrenbach@lelandschool.com or (231) 256-3802.
Shelagh Fehrenbach, K-12 Principal
Recently at LPS...
Kindergarten Earth Day Fun
AP Lang Speed Dating Students practiced identifying rhetorical devices in a speed dating review activity. AP exams start soon. "Just a fun way to prep for the AP exam!" - Mrs. Walter
HS Student Council Speeches Secondary Students running for student council for the 2025-26 school year prepared speeches they delivered today and tomorrow before their peers cast their votes.
Students Visit NMC LPS 9th grade students visited Northwestern Michigan College, where they learned about a wide range of academic programs, the admissions process, and the Community College Guarantee, which offers up to two years of free tuition.
Leelanau County Prom 2025 Students dressed to impress and had a blast dancing with friends across the county last weekend. Thank you to everyone who helped make County Prom so special.
MS Spring Dance MS students brought the fun for the Spring Dance. Thank you to all who made this dance possible.
Kate Bardenhagen and JC pose sharing a smile while they set up JC's artwork for the art night!
"The remnants of Mrs. Aldridge’s birthday surprise party in fifth hour!" - LPS Student, Nora Clark
Important Information & Events
Important Dates
Thursday, May 1st - Elementary Music Concert 6pm
Saturday, May 3rd - LEF Kentucky Derby Fundraiser, 5 - 9pm - Old Art Building
Sunday, May 4th - LIFT Ice Cream Social (MS Families) 1-3pm - Old Art Building
Monday, May 5th- Monthly PTO Meeting(Annual Elections Meeting), 6pm - HS Library
Wednesday, May 7th - Half Day for Students/Teacher PD
Friday, May 9th - World Learning Club Enchilada Dinner, 5-7pm - LPS Cafe
Monday, May 26th - No School, Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 28th - Test-Out Date #1
Sunday, June 1st - Graduation at 3:00pm, doors open at 2:45 pm
Wednesday, June 11th - Approximate Last Day of School
Leelanau Investing For Teens Formalizes Partnership with Leland Public Schools
Leland, MI – April 24, 2025 – Local youth program Leelanau Investing For Teens (LIFT) and Leland Public Schools are excited to announce their partnership, which will bring full-time afterschool and summertime programming to 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students starting in June 2025. LIFT is a no-cost out-of-school-time and mentorship program for Leelanau County middle and high school students, with existing partnerships with Suttons Bay, Northport, and Glen Lake Schools.
LIFT has hired Leland Schools’ alumnus, Jesus Ledesma, as their first Leland Middle School Program Coordinator. He has already started integrating himself into the school district by chaperoning dances, joining students in the cafeteria at lunchtime, and connecting with school staff and administrators.
Ledesma, alongside community volunteers, will begin offering LIFT’s no-cost out-of-schooltime programming to Leland Middle School students and families starting in June.
During the summer months, rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will be invited to join LIFT three times a week for a variety of activities, including beach days, kayak trips, picnics, service projects, and more. Free transportation will even be provided to and from students’ homes to make these summertime activities accessible. LIFT provides the same opportunities to students attending Suttons Bay, Northport, and Glen Lake, and it is not uncommon for LIFT students across the four school districts to come together for the day’s activities.
By the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, LIFT will have a dedicated space within Leland Middle School and begin offering daily after-school activities to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Students will be able to drop in to Leland’s LIFT program immediately following school dismissal and stay until pick-up at 5:30 PM. Unique activities are scheduled each day, and snacks are provided to fuel students’ minds and bodies.
“We are so excited to partner with LIFT to bring their amazing programming to our students at Leland,” says Leland Public Schools’ Superintendent, Stephanie Long. “LIFT has filled a void in our county for high-quality after-school programming for middle and high school students, and we could not be happier to collaborate with them to benefit our students. We are starting with our middle school students and hope to expand to high school as our middle school students grow with the program.”
“LIFT began in 2017 out of an observed need for safe and engaging opportunities for Leelanau County teenagers,” says LIFT Executive Director Rebekah TenBrink. “Since 2020, our long-term vision has been to partner with the four public school districts in our area to make our out-of-school programming accessible to 6th through 12th-grade students in Leelanau County. We are proud to formalize this remaining partnership to make that vision a reality. The school and community in Leland have already opened their arms wide to our organization, and we are so excited to start connecting with its teens, families, and educators.”
About Leelanau Investing For Teens (LIFT) LIFT is the flagship youth program of the Friendship Community Center in Suttons Bay. While multigenerational and multicultural classes and events are held daily at the community center, LIFT’s programs operate from satellite campuses within Leelanau County’s four public school districts: Suttons Bay, Northport, Glen Lake, and now Leland Public Schools. Annually, LIFT staff and volunteers connect with over 765 teenagers in Leelanau County through empowering activities 236 days of the year, both after school and throughout the summer months.
LIFT Up Leland Fundraiser at Dune Bird Winery To celebrate the launch of LIFT programming at Leland Public Schools, Dune Bird Winery will host a fundraiser for the program on May 17th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. LIFT invites Leland and Leelanau County community members to join them in supporting Leland tweens and teens and the opportunities LIFT will provide through this new partnership.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://liftupleland.eventbrite.com or at the door for $40. All proceeds will contribute to LIFT’s programming costs, including supplies for activities, snacks, and transportation. Light fare will be provided, and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the event. The event will also feature a brief presentation from LIFT Executive Director Rebekah TenBrink and live music from LIFT alumnus Nik Carman.
Next week, May 5–9, is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re excited to celebrate the incredible teachers and staff who make a difference in our children’s lives every day!
We’ve planned something special for each day to show our gratitude—and we’d love your help in making it memorable.
For Thursday, please reference the staff preferences document to find your teachers' favorite snack or drink.
Tuesday, May 6th: The PTO is hosting a Teacher Appreciation Lunch, and we’re asking for your support! If you’d like to contribute food, drinks, or supplies, please sign up here.
Join Us for the May 5 PTO Meeting & Officer Elections
Our annual PTO elections are coming up, and we need your support! Please join us Monday, May 5 at 6:00 PM in the high school library as we vote in the 2024–25 PTO officers.
While each nominee is running uncontested, our bylaws require a minimum number of members present to hold a valid election. That means your attendance matters—just by showing up, you help keep our PTO strong and active.
If there’s one meeting to make this year, let it be this one. Come lend your voice, cast your vote, and help us set the stage for a great year ahead!
Remember to Vote on May 6th on the LPS Operational Millage Proposal
Rotary International Youth Exchange This past Friday members of the Leelanau County/Suttons Bay Rotary Club presented exchange opportunities to Freshmen and Sophomores. The program is a full year academic and cultural experience. Selected students would prepare for the exchange experience over the next school year before departing the following August (2026) to their destination country.
This is a Rotary International program that matches Rotary Clubs from the United States with Rotary Clubs abroad. Students will live with 2-3 host families and attend school in the host country for a full academic year. There is a cost for this program. Scholarship funds may be available through the local Rotary club. Students will experience a variety of exposures to a different culture while becoming a global individual. The Rotary International Youth Exchange promotes international understanding and goodwill one person at a time.
Please look at this short video…
Interested students received information and a preliminary application. Students and families that are interested should contact:
Tom Trumbull 419-467-1715 tomtrumbullicloud.com
Wayne Wunderlich 231-256-9294 sblc_rotary@hotmail.com
Wait Until 8th | Supporting Healthy Choices in Our School Community
LPS encourages all parents to consider joining the Wait Until 8th pledge. This initiative empowers families to delay saying yes to smartphones until at least 8th grade. We invite you to read more about the impact of smartphones on children at waituntil8th.org and use the QR code to pledge to join other LPS families in making this thoughtful commitment.
Test-Out Dates: Wednesday, May 28 and Tuesday, July 22.
Remember, our Test-Out process is open! If your student is hoping to test out of a course to earn HS credit, please check out the flier below above, visit this link for the test-out form, or pick up a form in the Counseling Office.
Mark your calendar to be sure you watch our Leland students participating in this years show.
Friday, May 2nd
Varsity Track @ Brethren Invite - 2pm
Saturday, May 3rd
Varsity Girls Soccer vs Muskegon WMC - 1:00pm
LPS Programming FYI of the Week
Around the County
Northern Michigan Brass Band concert: Sunday, May 4 at 3:00.
NMiBB is a 30-piece, British-style brass band with the prescribed instrumentation of 1 Eb
cornet, 9 Bb cornets, 1 flugelhorn, 3 horns, 2 baritones, 3 trombones, 2 euphoniums, 2 Eb basses,
2 Bb basses and percussion. They present a varied program that has something for everyone,
ranging from classical transcriptions and traditional marches to contemporary, jazz, and pop
pieces. This concert is free to all students.
Cousin Curtiss in Concert
Saturday, May 10
7-9 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30)
$25 OAB Members | $30 Non-Members
Cousin Curtiss brings a fiery dynamic rarely seen by a solo act and now partnered up with the equally enigmatic and soulfully driven electric guitar prowess of Harrison B, these two road warriors are on a mission to electrify audiences everywhere with their two-man full-band sound.
The Belle of Amherst: A One-Woman Play
Saturday, May 10, 7-9 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30)
$20 OAB Members | $25 Non-Members
Bringing poetry to life, Sara Hartley performs as Emily Dickinson in William Luce’s classic play, making use of Dickinson's work, diaries, and letters to recollect her encounters with the significant people in her life. Playgoers will be treated to tea or coffee along with a tasting of Emily Dickinson's Black Cake.
Jon Muq in Concert
Wednesday, June 18, 7-9 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30)
$30 OAB Members | $35 Non-Members
Jon Muq, a singer-songwriter born in Uganda and now living in Austin, Texas, draws from African as well as western musical trends and traditions. Featured on the PBS News Hour, Muq devises songs as small gifts, designed to settle into everyday life and provoke reflection and resilience.
Six Mile Strings in Concert
Saturday, June 28, 7-8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30)
$25 OAB Members | $30 Non-Members
Visiting from Detroit, Yuri Popowcyz, Natalie Frakes, Alycia Wilder, and Tom Sullivan are a string quartet of friends who focus on performing classical and contemporary works. This will be the ensemble’s third concert at the OAB, which they describe as offering “a unique kind of magic that brings the audience closer, both physically and emotionally.”
The Learning in the Arts Mentorship Program (LAMP) at the Glen Arbor Arts Center is a hands-on, paid mentorship for individuals ages 16–22 who want to explore arts education, administration, and creative leadership. Participants will gain real-world experience, connect with local artists and arts professionals, and receive a $500 stipend upon completion.
Application Deadline: May 4, 2025
More details & application: https://glenarborart.org/lamp/
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