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Empowering Abilities

This series shines a light on the abilities of students with physical and mental disabilities and approaches to teaching them.

Learning something new expands life, social skills

Empowering Abilities Erin Albanese

Students in an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Moderately Cognitively Impaired program explored many types of art and dance, thanks to a grant...

Trash becomes treasure during bucket art project

Empowering Abilities Erin Albanese

Students in teacher Laura Sluys’ special education class and general education students recently worked together on an artistic project in partnership with the program, Artists Creating Together...

It’s a clean sweep

Empowering Abilities Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

An opportunity to work on life skills leads to a group of Kent ISD Community Transition Center students helping one local restaurant during the pandemic...

‘There is something about inclusion’

Sparta Janice Holst

This teacher has made it her mission to help students with mild impairments find their way in school and beyond...

Virtual preschoolers stay on track, connect through activities

Empowering Abilities Erin Albanese

Read-alouds, group songs, fine-motor skills, weekly teacher-parent-child meetings are all happening online...

Expressing their gratitude

Empowering Abilities Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

KTC students have joined forces to help send a message of appreciation to local veterans...

Through screens and technical glitches, learning goes on

Empowering Abilities Charles Honey

In a year of forced online learning, teachers themselves have had much to learn in keeping students engaged and progressing...

Students pair up to overcome challenges

Empowering Abilities Alexis Stark

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed some doors, a window opened to a new partnership between Grand Rapids Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant students and college-aged adults diagnosed with intellectual disabilities...

KCTC and KTC Core students roll up their sleeves to help reduce water runoff at Kent ISD

Empowering Abilities Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The water from the Kent ISD area feeds into the Lamberton Creek watershed. The plants will aid in reducing the amount added to the creek...

At-home learners stay connected through a new resource

Empowering Abilities Janice Holst

In late October, Kent City Elementary opened a designated room to give families who have chosen virtual education extra resources and support...

Kent ISD focused on improving outcomes for center-based special education students

Empowering Abilities James Harger

Now that Kent ISD has completed its takeover of nine center-based special education programs, Director Paul Dymowski says it’s time to focus on improving outcomes for the nearly 1,400 students enrolled in the programs...

Two programs become one, to help infants and toddlers

Empowering Abilities James Harger

The Ken-O-Sha Home Community program will fit hand-in-glove with Kent ISD’s Early On program when Grand Rapids Public Schools transfers its special education center programs to Kent ISD this summer, leaders say. Both programs serve children with impairments from birth to 3 years old...

Students learn skills the fun way: making music

Empowering Abilities Morgan Jarema

A group of Alto Elementary students took part in 10 one-hour sessions with a music therapist at the Franciscan Life Process Center, thanks to a grant from the Lowell Education Foundation...

Pine Grove Learning Center offers profoundly challenged students an opportunity to learn

Empowering Abilities James Harger

The Pine Grove Learning Center is where 103 of the most challenged special education students and their families in Southwest Kent County find unconditional acceptance. They also find an opportunity to learn and grow despite their physical and learning disabilities...

Students progress despite their impairments at Pine Grove Learning Center

All Districts James Harger

Teachers at the Pine Grove Learning Center take the long approach as they work with severely impaired students who attend the center-based program, which will transition from Grand Rapids Public Schools to Kent ISD this summer...

‘Amazing’ teachers at Pine Grove offer a beacon of hope for students like Evan

All Districts James Harger

Despite his multiple impairments, 14-year-old Evan Valdivia is learning to respond to others around him thanks to teamwork by his family and the staff at Pine Grove Learning Center...

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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.

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

Empowering Abilities

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