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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.

Washing service offers loads of help

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

These Eastern High students are preparing for life and, for some, gainful employment...

Special needs preschooler thrives in inclusive program

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

Alivia Brewer is a non-verbal, special needs preschooler, who has become an integral part and a calming presence in her preschool class...

Apprentices explore their creative potential

Empowering Abilities Morgan Jarema

This one-year program is one of a handful of visual and performing arts programs with Artists Creating Together for young adult students with special needs...

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Young adult students learn skills for work and life

Empowering Abilities Brett Atwood

Young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn the ins and outs of possible job opportunities after high school...

We can be great friends, even with differences

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark

Godfrey Elementary fourth-graders learn about inclusion, acceptance and showing kindness...

Pre-teach, teach, reteach

Byron Center Erin Albanese

Students learn through a “pre-teach and reteach model,” sometimes receiving instruction three different times as additional support...

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...

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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.

She helps students develop language, read, write & grow

Not just a volunteer, but ‘a piece of the library’

He is demonstrating how important English is in business

New ‘fami-LEE’ leader fueled by coffee and community

Simulated crime ties science, critical thinking & data analysis

Opportunities abound at first in-house career fair

Partnership with Black-founded nonprofit brings dedicated learning space

Levitating cars? Anything’s possible in STEM Academy

Learning life skills ‘where life happens’

State of the Student tackles four big topics

High-schoolers talk mental health with education leaders, legislators

Student news crew interviews state superintendent

Empowering Abilities

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