Sparta Archives - School News Network | A Window into Your Public Schools

WHS & WMU graduate’s mission: to be a voice for refugees

Podcasts Charles Honey

For Mehran Najafi, coming to the U.S. as a refugee from Afghanistan was “like winning a lottery ticket.” Now he wants to help other refugees win tickets too.

Field trip to IT company a real-world experience

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Kent Career Tech Center students get a taste of real-world IT work, exploring servers, systems and customer service at Grand Rapids’ Service Express.

ASD classroom now serving your morning pick-me-up

Sparta Riley Kelley

ASD students at Sparta Middle School are learning valuable life skills in the brand new Neuro Brew Crew coffee shop.

New smartphone law a ‘win-win-win’ for students, teachers, families

All Districts Riley Kelley

The education community talks about the new law restricting smartphone use in Michigan schools.

Ensuring smooth reunifications after emergency events

All Districts Beth Heinen Bell

Security officers have been practicing and adjusting procedures to create a standardized reunification process used for school districts across all of Kent County.

AI in the classroom: Can it enhance learning without replacing it?

Podcasts Charles Honey

The rapid advancement of AI in schools offers powerful learning tools along with potential problems, educators say.

Embracing ASL: ‘I think it’s just such a beautiful language’

Sparta Riley Kelley

Over the course of four weeks, fourth- and fifth-graders are learning the basics of American Sign Language.

Preschool program open houses this week

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Free preschool is available to families throughout Kent ISD who have a child turning 4 before Dec. 1.

You’re invited: Take the 2026 SNN audience survey

All Districts Erin Albanese

Your input has helped improve School News Network throughout our first 12 years. Now you can impact our future.

Teamwork and tape are key to building the best bobsleds

Sparta Riley Kelley

In an Olympic-themed STEM lesson, Appleview students designed, built and tested their own bobsleds.

K-12 leaders advocate for weighted school funding formula

All Districts Erin Albanese

After seeing success in other states, local school leaders are advocating for a funding formula that better serves students who have a variety of needs.