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Riley Kelley

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Riley Kelley is a reporter covering Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Rockford and Sparta school districts. An award-winning journalist, Riley spent eight years with the Ludington Daily News, reporting, copy editing, paginating and acting as editor for its weekly entertainment section. He also contributed to LDN’s sister publications, Oceana’s Herald-Journal and the White Lake Beacon. His reporting on issues in education and government has earned accolades from the Michigan Press Association and Michigan Associated Press Media Editors.

Grant-funded winter duds keep preschoolers warm

East Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation’s first-ever preschool grant encouraged outdoor learning even in winter.

District to break ground on early childhood center addition

East Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

Work begins March 30 on an expansion of the WECC building, the first bond improvement project to come to fruition.

From concrete to abstract, manipulatives make math meaningful

Rockford Riley Kelley

A recent grant funded the purchase of new tools to help math learners in Rockford.

Pioneer Partners provides picture of ‘community rising as one’

East Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

The expansion of EGR’s program pairing high-schoolers with elementary students is bigger than ever.

District OKs plan to build new school in NE Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

The Board of Education has approved a plan to construct a new school at the current Aberdeen Academy site.

Scholarship winner to be first in family to attend college

Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

Diane Vazquez is one of four GRPS seniors to receive a scholarship for students from underserved communities and first-generation college attendees.

Fifth-graders say ‘very special’ stonefly should be state insect

Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

Aberdeen Academy fifth-graders are working to get the stonefly recognized as Michigan’s first state insect.

Zoo School ‘stays exciting’ after first 50 years

Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

‘Zooies’ give a tour of the GRPS sixth-grade theme school at John Ball Zoo.

Celebrating a legacy of kindness with Kabookie Week

East Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

Middle-schoolers kept up the tradition of honoring Jimmy Gerken’s memory during a week-long celebration of good deeds.

What MLK means to them: Sixth-graders channel civil rights leader

Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

Sixth-graders from Grand Rapids Montessori Academy, Riverside Middle School and the Center for Economicology earned awards in this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Legacy Contest.

Orchestras celebrate 10-year milestone

Rockford Riley Kelley

It’s been a decade since Rockford first formed its string orchestra program, and the district is celebrating.

‘A champion for our kids’: FFA advisor earns state recognition

Cedar Springs Riley Kelley

Cedar Springs High School science teacher and FFA advisor Brent Willett has been named Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Horticulture Teachers Association.

GRPS graduation rate tops state average for first time

Grand Rapids Riley Kelley

With more than 82% of seniors getting their diplomas in 2023, the district’s graduation rate continues to rise.

Connection via Mario Kart? New podcast pairs superintendent with students

Cedar Springs Riley Kelley

Superintendent Scott Smith is engaging with students on their terms as part of a new podcast at Cedar Springs.

Rockford High broadcasters earn accolade

Rockford Riley Kelley

Rockford’s student-run news network has been recognized with its first national award.

Teaching is a ‘sacred exchange’ for Sparta educator

Sparta Riley Kelley

Not even retirement could pull Paul Owens away from the classroom.

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