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Profiles of Students, Teachers, Staff
- All Grads with Grit Meet the Future Meet Your Administrators Powered by Parents Reading & Writing with Rademacher Rockstar Teachers Sports Spotlight Student Leaders
  East Grand Rapids
  ‘Soul of Northview’ Says Students Are the Reward
  Charles Honey
  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...
  East Grand Rapids
  Filmmaker, engineer, future rocket-builder: it’s all about creativity
  Morgan Jarema
  Xiangyu Chen says his twin passions -- filmmaking and all things science, technology, engineering and math-related -- draw upon similar principles...
  Kent ISD
  Career education expert takes on new Kent ISD assistant superintendent position
  Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
  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...
  Northview
  Entrepreneur, philanthropist, third-grader
  Morgan Jarema
  This student leader wants everyone to be included...
Arts & Academics
- All Bridging the Talent Gap Making Math Add Up State of the Arts Arts in Action The Road to Reading Kids Pick Books Words of the World
  Grandville
  ‘These kids just really want to be singing’
  Beth Heinen Bell
  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...
  State of the Arts
  Marching on
  Erin Albanese
  The plan is to continue regular rehearsals and to host a number of community events, to be determined...
  Bridging the Talent Gap
  Virtual career exploration a hit with students
  Morgan Jarema
  The district helped shape the online program, which is now being used to varying degrees by a handful of area schools...
  Rockford
  Celebrating senior singers with a final concert, virtually
  Charles Honey
  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...
Issues in Education
- All Homeless, with Homework How's School Today?Places of Refuge School 2.0 Special Education The Burden of Poverty Youth Mental Health
  School 2.0
  Good behavior encouraged at home
  Janice Holst
  For students learning from home, positive behavior rewards are still possible...
  Forest Hills
  Pen pals build bonds during remote learning
  Morgan Jarema
  How does a teacher create get-to-know-you opportunities for her new class of third-grade distance learners?
  All Districts
  Partnership continues focus on student emotional, mental health
  Alexis Stark
  A group is working to identify trauma and provide support early in order to increase student success...
  All Districts
  Online poetry, multimedia course encourages mental well-being for middle schoolers
  Morgan Jarema
  A Grand Rapids nonprofit has made online writing and mental health materials available free of charge. At least one local middle-school teacher says the series is powerful and helps build community among classmates...

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Competing Plans to Fix Roads Produced Proposal 1, Lawmakers Say

All Districts Erin Albanese

State Rep. Robert VerHeulen, R-Walker, isn't saying how he will vote on the May 5 ballot proposal that would provide funding for roads, schools...

Proposal 1 May Be Complicated, but Has Major Implications for Schools

All Districts Charles Honey

Non-partisan analysts break down May 5 ballot issue to help guide voters

Helping Students Grow After Bullying Incidents

All Districts Charles Honey

When Tarena VanDyke was accused of bullying another student, it really hurt, she said. “I’ve never seen myself as a bully,” said the Northview High...

Gay-Straight Alliances Foster Safe Haven for LGBT Students

All Districts School News Network

The laughter inside the classroom reaches a crescendo when Caleb Smith hauls out Bruce the Shark — the somewhat official mascot of Rockford High...

Why Are Some Schools High Achievers in Reading?

All Districts Erin Albanese

At Sunfield Elementary in Lakewood Public Schools, students read while waiting in line for the bathroom. At North Godwin Elementary in Godwin Heights, kindergartners...

Teachers Tweak Instruction to Engage Students at All Learning Levels

All Districts Erin Albanese

Discovery Elementary School's first-grade classrooms were bustling with activity. In one room, students read parts in the play "The City Mouse and The Country...

Beyond Reading and Writing: School Nurses Serve Main Point of Contact for Many Low-Income Students’ Medical Needs

All Districts Erin Albanese

Editor's Note: The Burden of Poverty: A Backpack of Heartache is a continuing series examining the problems poverty creates for students and their families, plus the schools...

Dental Team Saving Teeth, School Days, in Districts with High Need

All Districts Erin Albanese

Editor's Note: The Burden of Poverty: A Backpack of Heartache is a continuing series examining the problems poverty creates for students and their families, plus the schools...

The Price of Poverty: Students Struggle to Overcome Families’ Financial Hardships

All Districts Charles Honey

Editor’s note: This month, School News Network launches a continuing series on poverty in the schools and how it affects students’ learning. We will...