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State of the Arts

Educators have long recognized the value of music, art, drama and writing for students’ creative development and academic success. This series highlights the many enriching ways students are experiencing the arts.

Training voices, cultivating friendships, building confidence

Northview Morgan Jarema

Crossroads vocal music teacher Tami Hjelm says choir class is far more than practice and performing.

60 musicians + 19 schools = one beautiful sound

Multi Districts Alexis Stark

Student musicians came together to perform in Grand Rapids Community College’s High School Honor Band for one night, and one night only.

Places, everyone; it’s showtime

Northview Morgan Jarema

Students at Northview High School volunteered for the seventh year to take part in 10-minute plays written by their peers.

‘Artastic’ artistry awaits art admirers

Byron Center Alexis Stark

This year’s Byron Center Public Schools Visual Arts Showcase features art from K-12 students and a collage concert featuring the high school’s band, orchestra and choir. The artwork is currently on display for the public.

Painting with a personal touch

Byron Center Alexis Stark

Students from every grade level are helping to make the district administration building more vibrant and colorful.

Family members and heroes honored through art project

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Sugar skull drawings show Godwin Heights Middle students’ artistic talents through remembrances of those who have died.

‘Sassy, funny, scary’: students excited to return to the stage

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The district is set to present its first fall play since the COVID pandemic on Nov. 17 and 18.

00:04:17

In the marching band Grand Prix, this pit crew is tops

Northview Brett Atwood

A group of volunteers has been striking up a proverbial symphony of dedication for decades.

Getting the bands back together

Forest Hills Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Central, Eastern and Northern high schools celebrated their music and one another.

High school drumlines keep the beat for downtown event

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Drumlines from Godwin Heights and Grand Rapids had a friendly competition for a good cause at Rosa Parks Circle.

‘It feeds me,’ says teacher-artist

Grandville Beth Heinen Bell

By day she’s a biology and chemistry teacher at Grandville High School. By night and on weekends, and, really, all the time, she’s an artist — and now, an ArtPrize finalist.

It takes a community to stage a musical

Byron Center Alexis Stark

The Van Singel Fine Arts Center’s community theater production of “The Sound of Music” brought together a cast of Byron Center staff, students and their families.

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Strings at Stocking strikes a chord

Grand Rapids Brett Atwood

Students at Stocking spent time learning and performing on string instruments thanks to St. Cecilia Music Center...

Painting on the walls encouraged here

Northview Morgan Jarema

When a renovated East Oakview Elementary welcomed students in Fall 2022, art teacher Amy Tefft was excited to see what amounted to a blank canvas...

Student musicians take sounds outside the classroom

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

West Michigan non-profit Project ESME brings together student musicians from different skill levels and schools to play a variety of pop, rock and film music...

A festive display of art

State of the Arts Dianne Carroll Burdick

Student creations showcase classroom learning, creativity...

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ABOUT US

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

Friend, athlete, advocate uses abilities to help others

Her career path was laid in first grade

She helps students develop language, read, write & grow

Not just a volunteer, but ‘a piece of the library’

Mobile Farm Science Lab ‘udder-ly’ engaging

Partnership pairs high-schoolers with scientists for real-world research

Simulated crime ties science, critical thinking & data analysis

Opportunities abound at first in-house career fair

Method offers trauma-informed approach to managing students in crisis

Friend, athlete, advocate uses abilities to help others

Students explore job opportunities, build skills with holiday market

Concert empowers students to move to the music

State of the Arts

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