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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.

Celebrating their differences with art

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

A local venue showcases the creativity of Godwin students through a collaborative exhibit with a local cafe’...

Student cartoonist is two-time national award winner

State of the Arts Erin Albanese

East Kentwood senior Abby Haywood blends humor, social commentary and issues affecting youth into her art...

00:00:37

A superior performance

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

High school senior Fernando Bresso brings the highest mark in a decade for Godwin’s band program...

‘Wow, I’m a real artist’

Grand Rapids Alexis Stark

After a two-year hiatus, student artwork from 61 schools in Grand Rapids is on display at the 2022 Citywide Art Show...

00:03:22

‘Let’s get together and play some music’

State of the Arts Alexis Stark

Lee and East Grand Rapids high schools performed a community concert as a dedication to Ukrainian refugees...

00:00:25

She’s shaking things up

Grand Rapids Community College Alexis Stark

As the first female director of bands at GRCC, Professor Shannon Shaker seeks to ensure everyone has access to a high-quality music education...

Graphing equations: there is an art to it

Northview Morgan Jarema

Northview High algebra students show off their creative data-plotting, slope-including and equation-evaluating skills...

‘Oh, I can do this!’

Lowell Beth Heinen Bell

Experimenting with different types of drawing techniques gives these Lowell Middle School students confidence in their ability to create...

Young artists’ affirmation: ‘black is powerful’

Grand Rapids Alexis Stark

A collaboration between WMCAT and Meijer showcases student art and provides an opportunity for connecting with the community...

How can I keep from singing?

Sparta Abigail Ham, SNN intern

At Sparta Middle School and High School, new hire Bob Alonzo is building a thriving vocal music program from the ground up...

Fears imagined, realized, shared and sometimes faced

Northview Morgan Jarema

Art teacher September Buys invited her seventh- and eighth-graders to ask themselves questions famous artists ask themselves, to visualize their answers and then to create them...

From five-minute sketches to frightful creatures

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark

Godfrey-Lee art teacher Rosanne Steffens’ third-graders drew five-minute monster sketches; her high school Advanced Drawing students then reimagined them into terrifying monsters...

Making art a COVID lifesaver

East Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

A talented middle-school student finds relief from pandemic stress in his artwork...

Intro to printmaking a hit with fourth-graders

Northview Morgan Jarema

The annual lesson is part of a unit focused on contour lines, and builds on skills introduced and practiced in earlier grades...

00:01:56

A visit from angels

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

A trio of serene angels, a twinkling Star of Bethlehem and a clear midnight sky provide a holiday scene for seniors to enjoy...

From Sherlock Holmes to ‘The Spore’

East Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

Whether playing 'spore kid' or a street urchin, Zoë Cunningham is having the time of her life as an actress...

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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 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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