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Back to School 2.0

The return of the school year has always been a time of expectation and excitement: new books, old friends, crisp football nights. This year, it’s all confusion and uncertainty, as the COVID-19 pandemic plays havoc with learning, students, families and schools. With most of Kent ISD’s 20 public school districts opening next week, School News Network talks to a sampling of superintendents about how they are balancing the imperative to educate students while trying to keep them safe.

Students return to classrooms for first time since March

Byron Center Erin Albanese

'It’s a little different, and a little strange. ... but it seems like it’s going to be fine'...

Kent ISD offers a mix of in-person, virtual instruction

Back to School 2.0 Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Districts and Kent ISD staff have worked to get schools and programs ready for the 2020-2021 school year, while also adjusting to changing guidelines related to the coronavirus pandemic...

In class, online, both? Parents, students wrestle with choices

Back to School 2.0 Karen Gentry

Students, parents, teachers and others share their feelings about the start of this school year...

Comstock Park offers hybrid or all virtual options

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

After surveying the community, the district settled on a hybrid option: Students will be divided into two groups and attend school on Monday-Tuesday or Thursday-Friday...

Cedar Springs ready to help students succeed

Cedar Springs Beth Heinen Bell

Superintendent Scott Smith says preparations have been going well, thanks to the “grit and determination” of district staff...

Schools start remotely, offer choice of plans

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Kenowa Hills Public Schools developed two options for the 2020-2021 school year: allowing families to choose between 100% face-to-face instruction or 100% virtual learning...

GRCC offering remote, in-person and hybrid classes

Grand Rapids Community College Erin Albanese

Faculty and staff are welcoming students back Aug. 31 using four different styles of instruction to meet varying needs while using strict safety measures...

Lowell Area Schools taking a hybrid approach to fall

Lowell Beth Heinen Bell

Interim Superintendent Nate Fowler is overseeing a complex return-to-school plan involving both online and hybrid in-person options...

Wyoming to start school with two weeks remote, shift to in-person option

School 2.0 Erin Albanese

Superintendent Craig Hoekstra said the district is expecting about 55 percent of students to return in person and the remainder to stay remote on WPS Virtual...

Oh no, I’m late! Oh wait, I’m not

Rockford Charles Honey

Teacher Matt Banta wakes up in a panic on the first day of school, in his video for students about starting the school year online

Students have choice of face-to-face, online learning

Caledonia Alexis Stark

Teachers are being trained in using the Michigan Virtual platform for online instruction...

Godwin Heights: first three weeks remote with gradual start of in-person classes

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Godwin Heights will start the school year today with remote learning for all K-12 students for the first three weeks. A fully remote option also is available to all students...

Grandville students start today, either in-person or remote

Grandville Beth Heinen Bell

The remote learning option will be taught live by certified district teachers with a curriculum that mirrors the in-person option...

Kentwood eases into in-person instruction with two-week remote start

Kentwood Erin Albanese

All students will begin school remotely today, with plans for those who choose to return in person to do so on Tuesday, Sept. 8...

Here come the students; schools try to be ‘prepared for everything’

Back to School 2.0 Charles Honey

Area school districts have to be able to switch instruction plans if the pandemic fires up again, and be prepared for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in one of their schools...

Registration, drive-thru style

Kelloggsville Phil de Haan

Rocket Registration is a chance for families to update their enrollment paperwork and a time for social connection...

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School News NetworkA Window into Your Public Schools

ABOUT US

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.

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Back to School 2.0

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