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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.

At Home on the Range

Cedar Springs Janice Holst

"Zinga, zinga, zinga, zoo." "Higher ... now higher ... still higher," said vocal teacher Linda Tata. The boys repeated the melodic phrase in higher and higher...

Necessity, Not Luxury

Kelloggsville Erin Albanese

Art teacher Amber Warren sees the difference in students who have had experience in art and those who haven't. The latter have little faith...

Giving Voice to Children

Grand Rapids Linda Odette

Most elementary students have never attended an opera. Coit Creative Arts Academy fourth- and fifth-grade students have created, produced and performed one. The project, done...

The Play’s the Thing; So’s the Writing

Northview Charles Honey

A lengthy short story from the mind of Eliot King comes to life onstage in a powerful pantomime by Marissa Schutter and Donovan Fletcher....

Art Walk Homage to Award-winning Artists

Grandville Jaye Beeler

At Century Park Learning Center, a riot of color swirling like a Chihuly tangle of glass sprouted all over the school. The inspiration for...

Make Art, Then Prosper

State of the Arts Charles Honey

When Tricia Erickson was a little girl, her mother found her drawing pictures of Yogi Bear and his cartoon friends Tricia watched on TV....

Rocking Out with Strings, Awesomely

Lowell Morgan Jarema

Mitchell Evink couldn't seem to help playing air cello as he sat on the floor of the band room and watched a video featuring...

An Arts School Takes the Stage

Grand Rapids Charles Honey

Baton in hand, Jaeda Selden led fellow second-graders Kamellah Kidd and Lizzariah Robertson in practicing a song from “The Wiz.” Taking a break for...

History as Song and Story

Kenowa Hills Charles Honey

It was the true story of a horrific murder, but Ben Bedford sang the tale to a gentle melody. “Pulled by four strong arms from...

Art Award Tradition Continues for 35th Year of Excellence

All Districts Erin Albanese

Northview High School sophomore Nick Ensing's drawing depicts a colorful, detailed royal court, staffed by doe-eyed kings, queens and jesters. Junior Ellie Haveman's photo is...

Playing in Tune with Giving Hearts

State of the Arts Charles Honey

Elizabeth Catlin tentatively plucked a few notes on a violin after eighth-graders McKenzie Watkoski and Presley Avery showed her how. The she gamely played...

Revived Program Attracts Student Artists, Musicians

Grand Rapids Charles Honey

From imaginative paintings and sculptures to soothing songs and a silky sax solo, Union High and Westwood Middle school students recently shared their artistic...

Students Jam On, with Plenty of Moxie

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

Forest Hills Eastern High orchestra students joined forces recently with The Moxie Strings for a night of upbeat contemporary music. But before they did,...

Settling Conflict by Settling Minds with Connective Art

State of the Arts Erin Albanese

With colorful petals radiating from a bright orange center, the mandala Circle of Art rug represents the universe and all its connectivity. For members of...

Students Explore Hip-Hop as ‘Something that You Live’

Grand Rapids Charles Honey

Matthew Duncan lightly shakes a can of spray paint and, like the serious aerosol artist he is, deftly sprays an immaculate orange “o” on...

Adding Sugar to Education’s Cake

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

As a young mother new to the district in the early 1970s, Candace Hinshaw remembers hearing about a magazine sale at Pine Ridge Elementary...

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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.

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

Teacher’s latest book focuses on motivation in education

Former principal returns to read, substitute teach at his old school

Fifth-grader publishes book, sequel to come

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

Montessori students sound out the basics of bluegrass

Diving into social-emotional learning

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

Art contest celebrates kindness, compassion and community

Parade of Nations is celebration of diversity

State of the Arts

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