Erin Albanese

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Erin Albanese is managing editor and reporter, covering Kentwood, Lowell and Wyoming. She was one of the original SNN staff writers, helping launch the site in 2013, and enjoys fulfilling the mission of sharing the stories of public education. She has worked as a journalist in the Grand Rapids area since 2000. A graduate of Central Michigan University, she has written for The Grand Rapids Press, Advance Newspapers, On-the-Town Magazine and Group Tour Media. Read Erin's full bio

‘It Takes All of Us to Make This Work’

All Districts Erin Albanese

It was the first day of school during Byron Garrett's second year as principal when he met a kindergartner who spoke no English. Garrettt spoke...

Calling All Senses: Help Me Read!

Grand Rapids Erin Albanese

In a small room within the teacher's lounge, Southeast Elementary School fourth-grader Aubrianna Vernon focused on the consonant blend, "spr." With her index finger,...

Future Lunar Lander Builders Start Practice Young

Byron Center Erin Albanese

The message is simple: brush your teeth. A public-service announcement video being created by a group of Nickels Elementary fifth-graders stars two teeth. One is...

Board Seeks Public Input on Bond Request

Wyoming Erin Albanese

In eyeing the needs of the district and planning for the next 30 years, administrators are considering a November bond request that would not...

‘I’m Trying to be a Glimmer of Hope’

Wyoming Erin Albanese

Every Wednesday afternoon, Tony Lambers spends an hour "just kicking it" with junior high students. Dressed in a hoodie, hightop sneakers and baggy jeans,...

Custodial Job Perk: Connecting with Students

Caledonia Erin Albanese

In a world where too many people just "talk the talk," Fred Cox "walks the walk"– a fast stride around the cafeteria, through entryways,...

Banking on Parent Educators, Parents As Educators

All Districts Erin Albanese

In a room designated for storytelling at the Wyoming branch of the Kent District Library, Ethel Rodriguez spoke in Spanish with Careni and Joel...

Culture Club

Kentwood Erin Albanese

With flags hoisted high and signs declaring "We Are EK" in different languages, nearly 100 district high school students gathered for a photo. It...

Students Fulfill Pet Gift Wish List

Caledonia Erin Albanese

Dutton Elementary School fifth-graders Saige Cooper and Izzy Fata recently led a blanket, toy and pet food drive for animals of the Humane Society...

A Taste of Mexican Christmas

Godfrey-Lee Erin Albanese

The group stood outside the door of the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center media center. In Spanish, they sang, "In the name of heaven I...

Rx for Better Readers: the Doctor is IN

All Districts Erin Albanese

Parkview Elementary first-grader Marquis Morgan grabbed a book from a bin containing those written at his reading level. He began paging through "There Was...

Hooked on Good Behavior

Godwin Heights Erin Albanese

Every other Friday afternoon, the school week ends in a big dance party at West Godwin Elementary School, with students and teachers moving and...

Real Brain-stretchers: Non-Google-able Riddles

Godfrey-Lee Erin Albanese

Second-graders were stumped. Class time had turned into an out-of-your-seats scavenger hunt that combined math, reading, art and some thoughtful sleuthing. But in figuring out...

‘Science is Basically in Everything’

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Eighth-grader Colin Byers dipped a thermometer into the stream behind the Kentwood Ice Arena and looked at the results: 34.4 degrees Fahrenheit, a drop...

A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way

Wyoming Erin Albanese

Taking time to say thank you can make someone's day, students in Oriole Park Elementary School's Hospitality Club are discovering. A couple dozen handwritten cards...

Payoff for Real-life Job Skills: Independence

Byron Center Erin Albanese

Senior Claire Trestrail lifted a can of Pringles out of a box and found its place on the grocery shelf. "I'm stocking candy, and...

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School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent County, which enroll more than 90,000 students. Founded in 2013, we are an editorially independent news site funded by Kent ISD, local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and photojournalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues that enhance or discourage student success, and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

‘You can do anything and everything’

His heart is in the health care field

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

Teacher’s latest book focuses on motivation in education

Book battle promotes literacy, teamwork

Future health care pros sample multiple career focuses

Young readers follow the recipe for perfect pound cake

Young engineers turn paper into a wild ride

Basketball team unites students, promotes inclusion

Diving into social-emotional learning

‘The journey’s not over’: High-schoolers showcase Black history

Art contest celebrates kindness, compassion and community

Erin Albanese

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