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School 2.0

School News Network continues its reporting on how districts, teachers and families are helping students learn both inside and outside the school walls during the coronavirus pandemic. We want to serve our schools and you, our readers, during this challenging time, so please send us your ideas for stories we should be telling and questions that should be answered. Thank you, and live safely!

Online poetry, multimedia course encourages mental well-being for middle schoolers

All Districts Morgan Jarema

A Grand Rapids nonprofit has made online writing and mental health materials available free of charge. At least one local middle-school teacher says the series is powerful and helps build community among classmates...

Schools lean toward in-person classes but keep virtual, hybrid options

All Districts School News Network

Schools move toward more in-person classes as the second semester of the school year begins...

A veteran teacher adapts to new reality: ‘nothing compares to this’

Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

An elementary school teacher of 40 years says education has never seen anything like 2020...

Cohorted specials usher in ‘a new kind of community’

Cedar Springs Beth Heinen Bell

Cedar Trails Elementary School’s “specials” teachers — art, music, physical education and literacy and technology — have joined forces to create an outdoor recreation program...

Many districts had shifted gears prior to statewide high school closure

All Districts Erin Albanese

Under new order, colleges and high schools must close for in-person learning through Dec. 8. Kindergarten through eighth-grade can continue in person...

Laughter, lessons & support for virtual students, parents

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

Key to learning from home: get outside, be safely social and find ways to bond, moms say...

Schools in nine districts announce closures as COVID cases spike

School 2.0 School News Network

New temporary school building closures were announced by nine school districts in Kent ISD this week, as schools contend with a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Kent County and Michigan...

At-home learners stay connected through a new resource

Kent City Janice Holst

In late October, Kent City Elementary opened a designated room to give families who have chosen virtual education extra resources and support...

Building closed, great teaching & learning go on

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

This middle school moved from in-person to remote learning temporarily. SNN got perspective from inside the building while students learned from home...

Bus drivers work as daytime cleaners during pandemic

Wyoming Erin Albanese

It’s also a plus to have familiar faces around school...

‘These kids just really want to be singing’

Grandville Beth Heinen Bell

Determined to bring back choir in a safe manner, this teacher made changes to her classes based on the latest scientific research and best practices by fellow teachers...

Teaching from a distance: ‘they have to learn to be patient’

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

Lana Tran, a 26-year district teacher, is in her regular classroom this year, but behind a locked door. Her 18 students are at home, their parents having chosen distance learning...

‘Ner-cited’ to be back in person

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

After spending the first couple weeks in virtual school, fifth-grader Jakiyah Johnson said she knew as she entered through the doors of North Godwin Elementary on Sept. 14 that this year was going to be great...

Dental programs return to in-person learning

Grand Rapids Community College Erin Albanese

Like many students facing a new reality for courses, Alayna Helmer was stressed out when the lab and clinic portions of Grand Rapids Community College’s dental programs shut down last March to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus...

Districts hit with enrollment losses amid pandemic

All Districts Charles Honey

While a few Kent County districts gained students on the annual fall count day, most saw enrollment drops ranging from a few dozen to 100- and 200-plus students...