Committed to social justice and anti-racism advocacy, eighth-grader Ari James is working to be an agent of change in her school, community and state...
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...
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...
On a freezing February morning at Pathways High School, two speakers from Michigan non-profit i understand spoke to students about the importance of mental health...
Kentwood leaders say word of mouth brings teachers of color and those looking to teach in the most diverse district in the state. Staff members are trained to be aware of biases and remove them from the hiring process...
Robert Dedrick, who works at Arrow Roofing, voted at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School: “I’m tired of the mess that’s going on. It’s crazy.”
Editor’s note: Voters across Kent County took to the polls — many of them located at public schools — on a sunny Tuesday, to help decide a historic election that promised a record turnout. Our SNN photographer, Dianne Carroll Burdick, captured their enthusiasm and thoughts at three polling places.
Jack Stegehuis, left, a worker for the city engineering and clerk’s offices during the election, talks with Todd Ernst, a contractor for Joy To The Polls, a nonpartisan group that brings musical playlists to polling sites to keep the mood positive and chill. Stegehuis brings supplies and polling equipment to the polls, including this station, Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy
Heather Prahl, an athletic trainer, and her husband Jordan, a Ph.D. candidate who works at the Van Andel Institute, brought their 4-week-old twin boys, Henry and Hector, to their polling station, Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy: ‘Every vote counts,’ Heather said. ‘We’re voting for their future.’
Yaya Rodriguez, who owns a baked-goods business, voted at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School: ‘Your vote matters.’
Scott Brew, who works in advertising, has one child at Wealthy Elementary and two kids at East Grand Rapids High School, voted at Breton Downs Elementary School: ‘I’m really happy at the level of engagement in East. People care and get involved.’
Gina Porcaro, who works in sales, voted at Breton Downs Elementary: ‘It’s very important to vote and everyone should do it.’
Rachel Bruursema, who works at the nonprofit Partners Relief and Development, voted at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School: ‘I do think this election is significant. I have a lot of peace about it. I’m glad we can vote. It is an honor.’
Rick Price, an independent representative for Steel sales, has two grandkids who go to Lakeside Elementary. He voted at Breton Downs Elementary: ‘Voting is important for the country.’
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.
A Jan. 25 request from the Michigan Department of Education to the U.S. Department of Education to not administer standardized testing, including the M-STEPS, in spring 2021 is still on the table...
School leaders have been working to find students who didn’t show up in the fall, make sure they’re being educated and maybe even persuade them to return...
While parents and educators use assessments to determine many kinds of student learning, a local researcher urges caution with testing from the pandemic year...
