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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.

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...

‘We all aspire to learn more’

Empowering Abilities Erin Albanese
Celebrating 30 years as a post-secondary college experience in the arts and sciences, the academy serves students with education and a place to belong...

Nick Minnema – special and driven, for all the right reasons

Reading & Writing with Rademacher Tom Rademacher
The Forest Hills Transition Center student and athlete competed this month at the Special Olympics World Games half a world away – in the United Arab Emirates’ capital city of Abu Dhabi, as well as the UAE’s largest city, Dubai...

‘She’s one of us’

Empowering Abilities Erin Albanese
Her mother said she sees her daughter retaining information and communicating more and more. She wants to do things herself. ‘She wants to be little Miss Independent’...

From making meals to selling Christmas cards, students learn job skills

All Districts Gregory Chandler
Now in its 15th year, Region 1 Transition Services provides continuing education opportunities for adults, ages 18-26, with special needs in northern Kent County. The program’s goal is to help students gain employment, become involved in their local communities and lead independent lives...

Walkathon delivers peer connections, outside experiences

Empowering Abilities Bridie Bereza
Last year’s event raised $2,100, which paid for a monthly student experience at Pine Grove, ranging from a mobile zoo exhibit to the antics of local author and puppeteer Kevin Kammeraad...

Leaders begin transition of center programs from GRPS to Kent ISD

Empowering Abilities Charles Honey
The Grand Rapids school board voted to discontinue operating special education center programs on behalf of all 20 Kent ISD school districts, effectively turning them over to the intermediate district as of July 2019...

Let’s review center-based special education programs, say superintendents

Empowering Abilities Charles Honey
A study will bring in an outside consultant to evaluate whether GRPS center-based programs are providing best practices compared with other districts in Michigan and beyond...

Signing for Children Opens ‘Window to Information’

Northview Charles Honey
Early on a Monday morning, Kari Chapin’s kindergartners sit on the floor as she leads them through lively exercises -- singing the days of...

Grant Brings Sex Ed Instruction to Students with Special Needs

Empowering Abilities Erin Albanese
Eighth-grader Bryan Galvez aptly summarized the consequences of healthy versus risky decisions when it comes to teens and sex. “Would you rather have a...

Signs of Understanding

Empowering Abilities Erin Albanese
Senior Nathan Ketchpaw uses sign language with big motions –– wide arms, a broad grin. His favorite sign? "Lion," he demonstrates, running his hand...
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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.

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