Free COVID-19 testing sites opening in Kent County aimed at students, families following spring break travel mlive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mlive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Group works to reduce chronic absenteeism exacerbated by pandemic in Grand Rapids-area schools
Updated Feb 23, 2021;
Posted Feb 22, 2021
Kent County schools are seeing a rise in chronic absenteeism as school leaders and social workers continue to track down students amid the coronavirus pandemic. (MLive file photo)
Facebook Share
KENT COUNTY, MI – Kathleen Feeney believes education lays the foundation for the rest of a child’s life.
That’s why the Michigan 17th Circuit Court judge has devoted the last two decades to tracking down absent students and bringing them back to the classroom.
As head of the Kent County School-Justice Partnership, Feeney leads a coalition of passionate school leaders, social workers and prosecutors who are working to reduce chronic absenteeism, defined as when students miss 10% or more of scheduled school days.
Black History Month 2021 events planned for the Grand Rapids area
Updated Feb 06, 2021;
Posted Feb 06, 2021
February is Black History Month. Pictured is a display of items collected by George Bayard, who opened the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives in 2016, on Monroe Center NW in Grand Rapids. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)Allison Farrand | MLive.com
Facebook Share
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Multiple Grand Rapids organizations are hosting events celebrating Black History Month, including featured speakers, community discussions, plays and exhibits throughout February.
Most of the events will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are also some socially distanced in-person programming and self-guided tours available. There are more options than ever to learn about Black culture, history and experiences.
GRCC accepts 2,900 workers through Futures for Frontliners program
Grand Rapids Community College
and last updated 2021-01-28 08:46:28-05
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. â Nearly 2,900 people have been accepted to attend Grand Rapids Community College through the Futures for Frontliners program so far, according to a news release Thursday.
The deadline is approaching for others interested in the state scholarship program to take the final steps.
Feb. 1 is the deadline for people who filed applications to the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to submit required information, including employment verification.
Futures for Frontliners provides a pathway to an associate degree or a technical certificate for those who worked in essential industries during the COVID-19 shutdown last spring.
Multiple Michigan school superintendents retire as pandemic lingers
Updated Jan 19, 2021;
Posted Jan 17, 2021
Jefferson Elementary School Principal LeeAnn Stephan directs students as they return to school in Holland on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)
Cory Morse | MLive.com
Facebook Share
The demands on Michigan school superintendents have been enormous during the coronavirus pandemic and multiple retirements have been announced this school year.
School leaders, who have been navigating their districts through extraordinary circumstances, have had to make difficult decisions often under the fierce scrutiny of staff, parents, and their community.
While the pandemic might be pushing some superintendents to retire, some were planning to depart regardless of COVID-19, but acknowledge it has taken its toll and in some cases expedited plans.