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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. Yet the arts remain squeezed by tight budgets and test-driven performance standards. This series highlights efforts to protect and promote school arts programs.

GRCC to host summer camp with musicians who mash classical, popular genres

Grand Rapids Community College Erin Albanese

ESME band members are challenging middle and high school students to blend modern and classical music during intensive summer experience...

Local students recognized nationally for innovative artworks

State of the Arts Charles Honey

Three students from Kent ISD high schools were awarded Gold Medals for their art entries in the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards...

Creating their own Christmas story

Comstock Park Hannah Lentz

Fifth grade students at Pine Island Elementary put their acting skills to work for Christmas play...

Catch a falling star & put it in your heart

Rockford Charles Honey

In a visit to Valley View Elementary School, Patricia Polacco, the award-winning author of over 100 children’s books, told students a true story about wishing on a falling star -- or wishing for a better world...

On fire for choir

Kelloggsville Bridie Bereza

When one elementary music teacher had a little extra time in her schedule, she knew there was only one thing to do: start a school choir...

‘Holy hot course, Batman!’

State of the Arts Erin Albanese

Students at Wyoming High School dig into graphic novels as a way to scratch their itch for good stories combined with eye-catching art...

‘She will fill your bucket if you are empty’

Godwin Heights Erin Albanese

This art teacher provides a solid skill base, then encourages her students to infuse their work with elements of their own lives. And she shares her own, which she says creates a safe space for them to reflect...

Students express selves through words, drawings, and their own hands

State of the Arts Morgan Jarema

Susan Langford’s studio art students made old-fashioned casts of their hands. They posed them to convey one or more concepts, then added their own drawing and words. The results were profound...

She chose music over medicine, and her students are glad she did

Rockstar Teachers Morgan Jarema

Wendy Tenney Tenney is one of 10 Michigan educators who were named as 2018-19 Regional Teachers of the Year...

Drama’s back, and students are ready to act

State of the Arts Erin Albanese

After five years without a program and, now, with a renovated auditorium, a stockpile of props pulled from storage and two enthusiastic new hires, Kelloggsville High School theater has been resurrected...

Haunting photo of ‘classy’ young woman takes top prize in Congressional competition

State of the Arts Charles Honey

Nick Ensing’s photo “Classy,” taken of his good friend Mariah Jennings, was named grand prize winner and will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year

Director takes joy in teaching student musicians, ‘to see what they can do and where they go’

Rockstar Teachers Charles Honey

Band director Greg Wells grew up as part of Northview’s proud tradition, in a family of music educators, and feels honored to carry it on

Student mural takes learning out to the hall

Kent City Janice Holst

When the the art class moved into new semester, students who preferred painting to other media took to decorating the hallways

Students Leave a Legacy to Last, in Clay

Grandville Jaye Beeler

By making hundreds of clay tiles utilizing form, line, shape and texture, high school students unleashed their creativity in creating a hallway mural

Students Play a Happy Tune with Symphony Pros

Comstock Park Morgan Jarema

The three strings musicians who visited Pine Island Elementary this week didn't have to do a whole song and dance to hold the attention...

Portraying History Through Art

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

Freshman Daniel Zawodny can tell you about a courtyard confrontation between artistic rivals Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. And while freshman Brock Sweezie admits he’s...

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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’

Dads demonstrate dedication to students and learning

His heart is in the health care field

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

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

Red Hawk Rivals episode 2: ‘Cornhole’

High-school journalists provide behind-the-scenes look at news production

Basketball team unites students, promotes inclusion

Diving into social-emotional learning

State of the Arts

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