Grand Rapids Public Schools
'Communities are going to see repercussions' from Trump after-school cuts, leaders say
by (Charguitar)
Submitted 06-09-2017 under NEWS
In the library of Harrison Park School, Ryan Rose read aloud from a book about African animals as a dozen students listened expectantly. “We all went on a safari, past an old Acadia tree,” Rose read. “Nearby, giraffes were grazing...
Students explore hip-hop as 'something that you live'
by (Charguitar)
Submitted 03-30-2017 under NEWS
Matthew Duncan lightly shakes a can of spray paint and, like the serious aerosol artist he is, deftly sprays an immaculate orange “o” on a canvas. And so begins a lesson on graffiti – or more properly called “writing,...
Rising GRPS grad rates 'a community effort'
by (Charguitar)
Submitted 03-24-2017 under NEWS
Improving the district’s graduation rate by nearly 50 percent over five years takes a lot of people working together – and it will take a lot more to continue the trend. So said Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal, following this week...
'Get everything you can out of it' says school board president
by (Charguitar)
Submitted 02-16-2017 under NEWS
Wendy Falb vividly remembers cleaning the filthy steps of Fountain School one day, back when her older son attended Montessori School there. Fixing up the old school was one of her many volunteer tasks as a self-described “tiger mom.”...
'Children are not blueberries': What a Trump/DeVos administration would mean for local schools
by (Charguitar)
Submitted 02-06-2017 under NEWS
Charles Honey, School News Network As someone who taught for 25 years, is the daughter of teachers and married one, Mary Bouwense’s life has been steeped in public schooling. So she was appalled when President Donald Trump, in his inaugural...
'Beautiful, cool and majestic': Urban students experience Lake Michigan
by (Charguitar)
Submitted 11-22-2016 under NEWS
By Charles Honey, School News Network As they stepped onto a platform and gazed upon Lake Michigan, a group of Grand Rapids fifth-graders let loose a torrent of wonder. “So pretty!” “Oh my gosh, it’s beautiful!...
Volunteer reading tutors help GRPS students improve reading proficiency, prepare for future success
by (GRTV)
Submitted 11-16-2016 under NONPROFITS
High school graduation is a powerful predictor of a student's future success, and research shows that students who don't read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to leave school without a diploma. This week...
Tuned in, turned off and taking action: Bitter presidential campaign motivates students
by (Charguitar)
Submitted 10-28-2016 under NEWS
A dozen high school students were talking about the first presidential debate. They weren’t too impressed with Hillary Clinton, but even less so with Donald Trump. “A lot of what he said was just lies,” said Ashley Martinez, who...
Forest Hills flag incident is teachable moment for adults: Consider the realities of others before acting
by (balexander)
Submitted 09-20-2016 under OPINION
Growing up, I was never allowed to play with toy guns; this restriction came without explanation or justification. That was the way it was. I was once gifted this really cool wooden rubber band gun – it was placed in the trash. Anything...
"There's just not enough love in the world"
by (Carol Shirey)
Submitted 06-10-2016 under OPINION
Miss Brenda makes me happy. Me and at least a thousand other people, every day. She waves and smiles at every single driver that passes her corner – unless she’s making a crossing. Then she might miss a few. Every school day, Miss Brenda...