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Classrooms for All

Districts in Kent County and nationwide are diverse, with students representing various races, ethnicities, identities and cultural backgrounds. This series highlights the many ways diversity is a strength for students, teachers and communities alike. Even as much of the nation is roiled by conflict over immigration and racism, SNN will feature diversity as a source of cultural competence and real-world education.

Through his eyes, he communicates

Kentwood School News Network

Kentwood Public Schools and Aves Films features Mo, a student who uses an eye-gaze device to communicate, in its latest episode of “Through the Eyes of Our Students.”

Paper quilt stitches cultures together as one colorful community

Kelloggsville Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The middle school project celebrates the diversity of its student community.

Newcomer students experience first Thanksgiving

Kentwood Erin Albanese

While dishing out turkey and all the fixings, fifth-grade multilingual students at Meadowlawn Elementary School introduced newcomer students to a traditional Thanksgiving.

District launches ‘Through the Eyes of Our Students’ series

Kentwood School News Network

In the most diverse district in Michigan, a series of videos capture individual student’s stories.

Cultural fair: Students share countries, culture

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

TEAM 21 students learn about the cultures of about a dozen different countries represented in the middle school community.

Dune ride caps learning for English language biology students

Wyoming Erin Albanese

To best serve Wyoming High School’s large EL population, newcomer students are learning biology and English at the same time.

High-schoolers share experience in AP African American Studies with State Board of Education

Kentwood Erin Albanese

East Kentwood students shared their thoughts on AP African American Studies, a course that caught national attention, with the State Board of Education.

‘The journey’s not over’: High-schoolers showcase Black history

Kentwood Brett Atwood

East Kentwood presented Black history through student-created artistic performances.

Parade of Nations is celebration of diversity

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Waving flags, colorful dress and tasty food made for a vibrant celebration of culture at Townline Elementary.

Goal: Bilingual by middle school

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark

In its first year at the Early Childhood Center, the dual language immersion program is preparing kindergartners for life-long learning in Spanish and English.

High School students share diversity lessons with elementary peers

Lowell Alexis Stark

Students at Cherry Creek Elementary have learned about Martin Luther King Jr., Hanukkah and Native Americans from high-school students Diversity Council members.

Connecting cultures through holiday traditions

Kentwood Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Southwood students ‘fly’ to different countries using Google Maps to explore different cultures and holiday traditions.

Students & grandpas connect through cards, hugs, common languages

Kentwood Erin Albanese

“Refugee grandpas” are working directly with refugee students at Glenwood Elementary School, filling gaps in language and culture, and adding a sense of family.

Spanish dual immersion program set for fall debut

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark

Recruiting has begun for one class of kindergartners to pilot the program next year. Bilingualism has been shown to benefit high school graduates in college and careers...

Teacher shares holiday tradition with students

East Grand Rapids Beth Heinen Bell

“A big part of Chinese culture is that it’s shared,” and this teacher is doing just that at Breton Downs, in honor of the Lunar New Year...

Building community, one gumdrop at a time

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Students and their families in the Kent ISD Oral Deaf program build candy houses and community at a holiday event...

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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.

Teacher recognized for ‘excellence in Chinese teaching’

She’s in year 20, and ‘goes at it like year two’

For real, she dances a fine reel

Dedication & drive, in the dojo and beyond

Business, college and K-12 leaders come together to boost student literacy

Middle-school artists add ‘squish’ to second-grade designs

One Book, One City program culminates with visit from author

Pi Day slices fun with math

Level playing field offers connection for students of all abilities

High school broadcasters inspire middle school channel

What would closing U.S. Dept. of Education mean for special education in Kent County?

Through his eyes, he communicates

Classrooms for All

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