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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.

‘You feel like your voice is being heard’

Classrooms for All Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The high school’s Equity Conversations program provides a safe place where students and staff can talk openly about racism and other issues...

District works to increase staff diversity to mirror student population

Classrooms for All Erin Albanese

Kentwood leaders say word of mouth brings teachers of color and those looking to teach in the most diverse district in the state. Staff members are trained to be aware of biases and remove them from the hiring process...

Students feel welcome in a district with ‘flags of every country’

Classrooms for All Erin Albanese

In the state’s most diverse district, students weigh in on what it means to them to go to school with peers from all over the globe...

‘All of their stories come together’

Places of Refuge Erin Albanese

In a school district that is home to many not born in the U.S., seventh graders dive deep into learning about and welcoming newcomers from all over the world...

Walking through the ‘door of opportunity’

Classrooms for All Hannah Lentz

Wyoming high school students Mounahinde (Terry) Almame and Rohim Mohammed visited Lisa Monroe and Jodi VanDam’s fifth-grade class to talk about their experiences as refugees...

Two classes, two ways to learn about refugees

Classrooms for All Morgan Jarema

Students at Cherry Creek Elementary and Lowell Middle School are giving thought to what it means to have to leave home and make a new one, thousands of miles away...

Giving back as others gave to them

Student Leaders Erin Albanese

Three sisters, refugees from Rwanda, devote their Monday evenings to volunteering at the Learning Café, an education center in Grand Rapids that serves refugee children...

Students help refugee peers adjust to life, schools in the U.S.

Multi Districts Morgan Jarema

Students from a handful of area high schools are making an impact at two West Michigan organizations tasked with helping refugee students and their families succeed...

Refugee author tells students, ‘It is the story of your community’

Godwin Heights Erin Albanese

Sandra Uwiringiyimana’s story of fleeing conflict and leaving her country behind resonated with students who read and discussed her book, “How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child.”

‘If I Can Do it, You Can Do It’

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Dressed in red, resemblant of flaming hot sauce, Bowen Elementary fifth-grader Yoe Shi Yar played David Tran, a Vietnamese immigrant who founded Huy Fong...

‘The Goal is to Keep Them Reading’

Classrooms for All Janice Holst

Second-graders Leonel Santiago and Carlos Saldana hit an exciting benchmark this fall: They started reading their first chapter books. Besides helping them learn the important...

Thanks to English Tutoring, ‘I Can Learn a Lot of Things’

Classrooms for All Charles Honey

Rose Sanreta had had a big day at Northview High School: a test in finance class, a quiz in English, reviewing World History for...

Building a Dream Into Reality

Classrooms for All School News Network

I see the horror figures portrayed in the media. I flinch and glower at the images of helpless people, abandoned and alone, drowning in...

Language, Culture and ‘Jambo!’

Classrooms for All Erin Albanese

Sixth grade teacher Rebecca Bing remembers a particularly tough day at school. She walked down the hall, feeling a little tired and pensive. Suddenly,...

From Desperation to Diploma: A Somali Refugee’s Story

Classrooms for All Erin Albanese

Note from the author: I met Arafat Abdikarim Yassin last February while visiting East Kentwood High School to write about the school's refugee population....

She Walks in Their Shoes to Understand Their Challenges

Classrooms for All Erin Albanese

At Bowen Elementary School, English Learner teacher Katie Lett's students recently filled out "All About Me" forms. Soon they would write details about themselves...

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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.

From struggling to role model, thanks to strong teacher support

Second-grade teacher: literacy is a civil right

Her motto of ‘always work hard’ leads to early graduation

‘This is when my life starts getting better’: EGR senior pushes through painful loss

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

His heart is in the health care field

Classrooms for All

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