Creative, innovative, imaginative … Many of today’s students are all that and more in a vast variety of interest areas. This series features students with exceptional and unusual gifts...
Ted Burba, a longtime and beloved teacher for Northview Public Schools who retired this fall, died early this week after a long illness. In tribute to his lasting legacy, School News Network republishes this profile of Mr. Burba that originally ran in 2016 to honor his 50th year of teaching...
Amid COVID-19, Sue Gardner took on a brand new role as Kent ISD assistant superintendent helping to administer and support the existing high school programs and help start new ones...
Determined to bring back choir in a safe manner, this teacher made changes to her classes based on the latest scientific research and best practices by fellow teachers...
Over 120 choral students in grades 9-12 will join voices in a virtual choir to celebrate the graduations of about 45 senior singers, in a prerecorded concert to be posted on the Rockford Choirs YouTube channel...
Lincoln School special education teacher, Ann Post believes there is 'hope on the horizon' for Kent ISD teachers and educators across Kent County after receiving her first round of the COVID-19 vaccine...
From left, senior Katie Townley jams with trumpeter Marcus Printup
Senior Adam Carey plays trumpet
Trumpeter Marcus Printup brought the jazzy notes of Duke Ellington to Byron Center High School before the mandatory shutdown, where he spent a full school day with the jazz band rehearsing classics such as “Dippermouth Blues” and “Kinda Dukish Rockin’ In Rhythm” by Duke Ellington.
The visit was part of the band’s work with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, an organization that hosts Essentially Ellington, a program and competition for high school bands.
Senior Dylan Standish plays the trumpet
The Jazz Band was selected from among hundreds of schools across the country to compete in Essentially Ellingtonin May. (The event has been postponed until further notice in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.)
Schools who qualify spend three days in New York City immersed in workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals and performances.
From left, junior Emily Oegema, jazz musician Marcus Printup, junior Jake Brunink, and senior Nolan Czaja play jazz
Front row, from left, are junior Meghan Koetje, junior Sam Brock, junior Emily Oegema, trumpeter Marcus Printup, junior Jake Brunink, senior Nolan Czaja and Director Marc TownleyTrumpeter Marcus Printup performs for studentsFrom left, senior Alex Locke, senior Katie Townley, sophomore Carlie Arnold, senior Carolynn Hoezee and senior Brogan Kaczkofsky get jazzyNolan Czaja practices his skills on the tromboneFrom left, senior Cassie Denhof, senior Adam Carey and junior Abbie Townley performJunior Jake Brunink plays tromboneFrom left, seniors Dylan Standish and Josh Kohlhoff look on as sophomore Nolan Kirkwood playsFrom left, Director Marc Townley and trumpeter Marcus Printup give instruction during rehearsalfrom left, senior Katie Townley bumps fists with Trumpeter Marcus Printup after a jam session
Dianne Carroll Burdick has worked as a photojournalist in the West Michigan area since 1991. A graduate of Western Michigan University, she has photographed for The Grand Rapids Press, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, Detroit Free Press, Advance Newspapers, Grand Rapids Magazine, BLUE Magazine and On-the-Town Magazine. She has been covering the many exciting and thought provoking stories of K-12 public education for School News Network since 2016.
Reflecting on the end of fall semester and 2020, Superintendent Dedrick Martin sat down with School News Network to discuss how Caledonia adapted to school closures, virtual learning and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic...
East Grand Rapids and East Kentwood high school We the People team members have qualified for the national competition, becoming well versed in civics and critical thinking along the way...
Creative, innovative, imaginative … Many of today’s students are all that and more in a vast variety of interest areas. This series features students with exceptional and unusual gifts...
Elementary students are learning seven habits of leadership to develop independence, problem-solving skills as part of a social emotional curriculum...
(Photo by Dianne Caroll Burdick) Brown Elementary third-grader Jojo Gurd has worked to collect winter clothes and other items to help people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids...
Polls find that students’ engagement in their school work declines as they ascend the grades. Tests that don’t relate to their real-life experiences exacerbate the problem...
