Grand Rapids Public Schools
Our Community's Children director retires, looks back on public service
by (Brett)
Submitted 01-14-2021 under LOCAL LIFE
After more than two decades as executive director for Our Community’s Children (OCC), Lynn Heemstra retired from her role Jan. 5, leaving behind a legacy of youth advocacy. OCC, a public-private partnership between the City of Grand Rapids,...
Ericka 'Kyd Kane' Thompson becomes Grand Rapids' new poet laureate
by (Brett)
Submitted 12-15-2020 under LOCAL LIFE
Grand Rapids has a new poet laureate in Ericka “Kyd Kane” Thompson, who begins a three-year term on Jan. 1. As poet laureate, Kyd Kane will act as an ambassador of poetry for the city, creating programs that encourage the writing and...
Community updates: Thursday, Nov. 5
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 11-05-2020 under NEWS
All of Grand Rapids votes counted for Nov. 3 election All Grand Rapids ballots for the Nov. 3 election, including those returned by mail, have been counted, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalyn Bliss said Wednesday. “After two busy days for our City...
Community updates: Thursday, Oct. 29
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 10-29-2020 under NEWS
MDHHS extends, expands statewide COVID-19 rules The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on Thursday extended and expanded its emergency order that aims to mitigate COVID-19’s spread across Michigan. The updated order comes...
Community updates: Thursday, Oct. 22
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 10-22-2020 under NEWS
Kent County Health Department reports continued rise in county’s COVID-19 case growth Kent County's resurgence in COVID-19 case growth is continuing its nearly month and a half trend, the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) reported on...
Community updates: Tuesday, Oct. 20
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 10-20-2020 under NEWS
Grand Rapids Public Schools extends online-only learning through Jan. 2021 Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) is sticking to online-only learning for all of its students through the rest of the semester, GRPS leaders announced Monday. The decision...
Community updates: Thursday, Oct. 8
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 10-08-2020 under NEWS
Grand Rapids Public Museum reopening planetarium The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s (GRPM) planetarium will reopen this Saturday, the GRPM announced Wednesday. Its Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium – which hosts astronomy-based projections,...
Community updates: Tuesday, Oct. 6
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 10-06-2020 under NEWS
MDHHS issues order restoring COVID-19 rules after Michigan Supreme Court ruling The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on Monday issued an emergency order largely reinstating Gov. Whitmer’s COVID-related executive orders...
Community updates: Tuesday, Sept. 22
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 09-22-2020 under NEWS
Grand Rapids Public Schools prepares for hybrid in-person learning starting mid-Oct. Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) is gearing up for a hybrid in-person learning option for its students starting Oct. 19, GRPS Superintendent Leadriane Roby...
Community updates: Thursday, Sept. 10
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 09-10-2020 under NEWS
Community leaders urge residents to complete census before Sept. 30 deadline, announce canvassing A coalition of community leaders are reminding Grand Rapidians to complete the 2020 census before its Sept. 30 deadline, with a new door-to-door push...