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State of the Arts

Educators have long recognized the value of music, art, drama and writing for students’ creative development and academic success. This series highlights the many enriching ways students are experiencing the arts.

Alum returns as band director

Thornapple Kellogg Alexis Stark

Thornapple Kellogg High School alum Clair Jansma is establishing trust and growing her confidence as the new band director, following the retirement of longtime director Ray Rickert.

Symphony visit all about sharing the music

Comstock Park Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Elementary students explore instruments and music with help from a few Grand Rapids Symphony members.

Full symphony orchestra joins strings & marching band

Lowell Erin Albanese

By combining the sounds and talents of the marching band and top string musicians, students in the Lowell full symphony orchestra are learning to blend contrasting sounds.

Marching band showcase culminates ‘big effort every day’

Kent City Beth Heinen Bell

What kind of preparation goes into a marching band exhibition performance? We got an inside look at Kent City High School’s band class to learn more.

ArtPrize exhibit honors veterans & their stories

Caledonia Alexis Stark

Caledonia Community Schools students honored America through their artistic contributions to an ArtPrize 2024 exhibit honoring veterans’ art and their stories.

Student musicians tour Europe, performing along the way

Multi Districts Erin Albanese

With Michigan Musicians Abroad, high school students performed concerts in London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

School staff, families join community theater in the most delightful way

Byron Center Alexis Stark

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious teachers and families make up the cast of Byron Center’s summer community theater production of ‘Mary Poppins’ at Van Singel Fine Arts Center.

00:00:44

Did you hear the news? Longtime director leads final show

State of the Arts Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Teacher and director Dave Howard wraps up his 30-year career with the 2024 Forest Hills Summer Stock production of “Newsies.”

00:00:43

Partnership between district and church creates opportunity in the arts

State of the Arts Alexis Stark

Lee Street Christian Reformed Church’s third annual “I Am Art” camp brought together neighborhood kids and local artists for colorful crafts, dance lessons and mural painting.

Camp’s mission is to build an art community

Lowell Erin Albanese

Students spend summer days making suncatchers, tie dye, nature collages, treasure maps and painted rocks at Lowell’s first art camp.

Smile, frown or sleepy face? Mural helps identify feelings

Wyoming Erin Albanese

Students created a giant Mood Meter mural to help students understand how they are feeling.

Montessori students sound out the basics of bluegrass

Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

St. Cecilia Music Center brings bluegrass to the classroom as part of its in-school programming.

Tuning, tempo and treble clef: Teen musicians leading the way for younger counterparts

State of the Arts Brett Atwood

Caledonia High School’s orchestra leadership team is helping Duncan Lake Middle Schoolers get prepared and excited to continue playing string instruments.

Elementary ukulelists get a feel for strings

Grandville Beth Heinen Bell

From “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” to “Sweet Caroline,” these fifth-graders are becoming strumming pros on the ukulele.

Middle-schoolers develop skills, confidence through theater

Lowell Erin Albanese

How do students go from nervous newcomers to accomplished thespians? By getting on stage and going for it at Lowell Middle School.

Tape art creates eye-catching experience

Wyoming Erin Albanese

Students studied illusion and space before creating the designs on the Wyoming High School walls.

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School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

With a focus on artivism, teacher encourages self-expression

Young leaders find their place at the table on student council

With striking commitment, he leads percussionists to find ‘genuine joy’

Young bowler’s future is all strikes and spares

Taking math from the classroom to the court

STEM rocket project launches students into summer

Book Bus keeps reading skills sharp during the summer

Creating music, building relationships with ‘magical’ students

‘Building assets’ helps students steer clear of dangerous options

Art & writing competition winners share work

Sparking success: welding in virtual reality

Destination Lake Michigan: newcomers study local watershed

State of the Arts

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