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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.

District begins multi-year effort to improve equity, scholar success

Classrooms for All Erin Albanese

A multi-year initiative, District Equity and Scholar Success Team, will work to embed equity practices into all areas of education...

Students focus on equity in letters to Board of Ed

Classrooms for All Erin Albanese

The Equity Project is a new twist on an argumentative writing unit. Normally, teacher Katie Sluiter assigns a topic, but this year she knew students had a lot on their minds...

Today’s classrooms look more like the world

Classrooms for All Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Kent County schools are experiencing substantial change in the racial and ethnic makeup of their students, with classrooms looking more and more like the society and world around them...

‘God gives me hope’: a refugee student’s hard journey to graduation

Kelloggsville Phil de Haan

On a journey from the Congo to Grand Rapids, faith, and the people placed in his path, have helped a Kelloggsville senior deal with some tough circumstances...

Students reflect on personal experiences as Asian Americans

Classrooms for All Alexis Stark

Students respond to the spike in hate crimes, reflect on experiences as Asian American students...

Students celebrate the beauty of multiple languages

Classrooms for All Alexis Stark

Students celebrated their Spanish-speaking heritage with International Mother Language Day at Alpine Elementary...

‘You feel like your voice is being heard’

Classrooms for All Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The high school’s Equity Conversations program provides a safe place where students and staff can talk openly about racism and other issues...

Students feel welcome in a district with ‘flags of every country’

Classrooms for All Erin Albanese

In the state’s most diverse district, students weigh in on what it means to them to go to school with peers from all over the globe...

District works to increase staff diversity to mirror student population

Classrooms for All Erin Albanese

Kentwood leaders say word of mouth brings teachers of color and those looking to teach in the most diverse district in the state. Staff members are trained to be aware of biases and remove them from the hiring process...

‘All of their stories come together’

Places of Refuge Erin Albanese

In a school district that is home to many not born in the U.S., seventh graders dive deep into learning about and welcoming newcomers from all over the world...

Walking through the ‘door of opportunity’

Classrooms for All Hannah Lentz

Wyoming high school students Mounahinde (Terry) Almame and Rohim Mohammed visited Lisa Monroe and Jodi VanDam’s fifth-grade class to talk about their experiences as refugees...

Two classes, two ways to learn about refugees

Classrooms for All Morgan Jarema

Students at Cherry Creek Elementary and Lowell Middle School are giving thought to what it means to have to leave home and make a new one, thousands of miles away...

Giving back as others gave to them

Student Leaders Erin Albanese

Three sisters, refugees from Rwanda, devote their Monday evenings to volunteering at the Learning Café, an education center in Grand Rapids that serves refugee children...

Students help refugee peers adjust to life, schools in the U.S.

Multi Districts Morgan Jarema

Students from a handful of area high schools are making an impact at two West Michigan organizations tasked with helping refugee students and their families succeed...

Refugee author tells students, ‘It is the story of your community’

Godwin Heights Erin Albanese

Sandra Uwiringiyimana’s story of fleeing conflict and leaving her country behind resonated with students who read and discussed her book, “How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child.”

‘If I Can Do it, You Can Do It’

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Dressed in red, resemblant of flaming hot sauce, Bowen Elementary fifth-grader Yoe Shi Yar played David Tran, a Vietnamese immigrant who founded Huy Fong...

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School News NetworkA Window into Your Public Schools

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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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