Districts on the hunt for 3,000 missing students
Schools seek to reconnect with families following enrollment losses
All districts – Where did they all go?
That’s what educators across Kent County and statewide have been trying to find out since learning of a dramatic drop in K-12 enrollment this fall – by some 53,000 students across Michigan and 3,000 in Kent ISD public schools.
Local districts large and small have taken hits to their student counts – and their budgets – as pandemic learning scattered families looking for options. Many parents held their children back from kindergarten, decided to home-school them, transferred them to non-public schools or moved out of the area or state. A good many students have simply dropped off the radar – missing in action from their former schools.
Today on
Stateside, Grand Rapids public schools are back in the classroom. The district’s superintendent discusses the return to in-person learning. Also, writer Rochelle Riley tells us about her new book, which features children dressed up as iconic and influential Black Americans. Plus, a look at the history of Black sailors on the Great Lakes.
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Listen to the full show above or find individual segments below.
After months of online learning, Grand Rapids Public Schools welcomes kids back to the classroom
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Child walks for several hours after being dropped off at different bus stop
The school department in Michigan says a letter was sent to the family s home about the bus stop change, but the family says they did not receive it. Author: Emma Nicolas Updated: 12:03 AM EST February 2, 2021
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan A Grand Rapids first-grader walked alone for several hours before a couple asked him if he needed help, after he was dropped off at a different bus stop. His parents say they were unaware of the change that the school district says was sent in a letter earlier that month.
ABC 10/CW5
EAST LANSING, MI – Kathy Vruggink Westdorp, an assistant director for the Michigan High School Athletic Association, is one of eight high school association leaders who has been selected to receive a Citation from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) during this summer’s annual meeting.
The Citation is one of the NFHS’ highest honors and recognizes recipients for their contributions to the NFHS, state high school associations, athletic director and coaching professions, the officiating avocation and fine arts/performing arts programs.
In addition to serving in most of those roles over more than 20 years in Grand Rapids-area schools, Westdorp has been a national leader in a number of efforts since joining the MHSAA staff during the 2003-04 school year.
Students’ images, words celebrate Dr. King’s legacy of social justice
Back in 2006, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP reached out to Grand Rapids sixth graders, asking them to take part in a contest about what the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. meant to them.
The firm asked the students to write an essay. The hope was to encourage students to become good writers, to think critically about Dr. King’s legacy and to translate those words into action within their schools or the larger community.
Grand prize winner: Alone, by artist Trinity Talbert
Now in its 16
th year, the contest features a diverse and dynamic new format to honor the civil rights icon’s legacy of peace and justice.