Ready or Not, Schools Start Opening Aug. 21

Most Local Districts Begin Before Labor Day

by Erin Albanese

All Districts — Got those backpacks ready? The first day of school is two weeks earlier than the traditional post-Labor Day start for many districts, and administrators are working to make sure families are aware of the change. First days vary across Kent ISD's 20 public school districts, with the earliest beginning Monday, Aug. 21. Kent ISD received a waiver from the state for its member schools to begin prior to Labor Day...

Ready to Launch: New Early College to Boost Student Careers by Erin Albanese

Kent ISD — Students interested in careers in manufacturing now have a direct pathway into the workforce, and they can get there with an associate's degree earned tuition-free. Kent ISD, Grand Rapids Community College and representatives of local manufacturing...

On the Job and On Their Way by Morgan Jarema

Kent ISD — More than 40 students with cognitive or other impairments from districts across Kent ISD's service area worked at 11 job sites this summer, earning money while learning skills. Coached employment wrapped up its second year this week...

Snyder Signs Budget at Tech Center, and Takes a Tour by Morgan Jarema

Kent ISD — Lexis VanDyke had a pretty good excuse to be late for work on July 14. She was showing Gov. Rick Snyder around the culinary program at Kent Career Tech Center. "It was nerve-wracking, but exciting," said Lexis, who recently graduated...

ACA Repeal Threatens Student Academic Achievement

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Grads with Grit

A series about students who have had to overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this spring.
Making Math Add Up

A series on the difficulties students have learning math, and what methods some schools and teachers are using with success.
Stories About Educating Migrant Children

A series about the migrant student population and how teachers and administrators work together to serve them. The series focuses on Kent City Community Schools and Kenowa Hills Public Schools.
The Burden of Poverty: A Backpack of Heartache

A series on poverty in the schools and how it affects students’ learning. We examine the problems poverty creates for students and their families and the schools and strategies that are helping disadvantaged students succeed.
Student Leaders

A series dedicated to students that go above and beyond to serve their school, peers and community.
The Road to Reading

A series exploring some of the many reading activities you'll find in our schools, difficulties students may face while learning to read, as well as early childhood ties to literacy and new initiatives to help all children read.
Hidden Pain

This series focuses on students' mental health, the sources of their distress, and how schools and communities can help.
Reaching Every Child: What’s New in Special Education

A series on special education in Kent County. School News Network will take readers into classrooms around the area to shine a light on new approaches to teaching students with physical and mental disabilities.
Places of Refuge

This series focuses on refugee students and their journeys, their new lives and hopes for a future in West Michigan, and the many ways schools and community organizations are working to meet their needs.
Rockstar Teachers

There's just something about certain teachers that draws students to them in droves and keeps them checking in years, even decades later. Here, we highlight some of these rockstars of the classroom.
State of the Arts

Educators have long recognized the value of music, art, drama and writing for students' creative development and academic success. Yet the arts remain squeezed by tight budgets and test-driven performance standards.