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Classrooms for All

Districts in Kent County and nationwide are experiencing increasing diversity, with students representing various races, ethnicities, identities and cultural backgrounds. In a new series, SNN explores this trend. We will highlight the many ways diversity is a strength for students, teachers and communities alike, while requiring an intentional focus on equity and awareness. Even as much of the nation is roiled by conflict over immigration and racism, SNN will feature diversity as a source of cultural competence and real-world education for students.

Students & grandpas connect through cards, hugs, common languages

Kentwood Erin Albanese
“Refugee grandpas” are working directly with refugee students at Glenwood Elementary School, filling gaps in language and culture, and adding a sense of family.

Spanish dual immersion program set for fall debut

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark
Recruiting has begun for one class of kindergartners to pilot the program next year. Bilingualism has been shown to benefit high school graduates in college and careers...

Teacher shares holiday tradition with students

East Grand Rapids Beth Heinen Bell
“A big part of Chinese culture is that it’s shared,” and this teacher is doing just that at Breton Downs, in honor of the Lunar New Year...

Building community, one gumdrop at a time

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Students and their families in the Kent ISD Oral Deaf program build candy houses and community at a holiday event...

The school where high expectations are universal

Kentwood Erin Albanese
Consistency, relationships, focused instruction help boost student achievement, educators say...

Visual learning helps ELL students build skills, boost comprehension

Comstock Park Karen Gentry
This Mill Creek Middle teacher builds empathy and patience by becoming ‘the other’ in foreign countries...

‘Unapologetically us’: students, teachers talk through ethnicity, race issues in inclusion effort

Kelloggsville Sean Bradley
Kelloggsville High School held panels showcasing student perspectives to inform faculty and staff on race and diversity issues....

Books represent students in state’s most diverse district

Kentwood Erin Albanese
Educators in Kentwood Public Schools prioritize stocking library shelves with books featuring diverse characters and by diverse authors...

District, literacy center helps parents learn English

Kentwood Erin Albanese
Learning English helps immigrant parents help their children in school...

Students showcase biculturalism during Hispanic Heritage Month

Grand Rapids Erin Albanese
Lessons all month focus on Hispanic culture, contributions...

Christmas in August wraps up

Classrooms for All Alexis Stark
After 15 years serving West Michigan schools, School Supplies Santa goes out the way it came in: providing teachers with school supplies for the new school year...
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She’s shaking things up

Grand Rapids Community College Alexis Stark
As the first female director of bands at GRCC, Professor Shannon Shaker seeks to ensure everyone has access to a high-quality music education...

A celebration of nations

Kentwood Erin Albanese
In traditional clothes and waving flags, students celebrated their home countries during the Parade of Nations...

From classroom to lunch room, schools help Afghan students adjust

Places of Refuge Charles Honey
The recent influx of refugee students from Afghanistan has put teachers on the front lines of helping students adjust academically and recover from trauma...

On his own since 12, refugee student sets his sights on college and career

Kent ISD Morgan Jarema
‘Education is the universal key to unlocking any door,’ says Myanmar native an...

He’s a leader who is always learning

Student Leaders Morgan Jarema
Kent ISD’s interpreter program, now in its second year, is helping ESL students find purpose in their new country using gifts they honed in their native countries...
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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.

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