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Preschool Economics

Amy Kuras Monday, June 03, 2013
Can quality preschool learning for Michigan children be tied to a healthy economy? Early education proponents around the state believe it can. Michigan Nightlight’s Amy Kuras talks to the experts.

SEEDS of Traverse City

Kelle Barr Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Northwest Michigan's SEEDS offers a wide range of services -- with an ecological and social justice bent -- including free afterschool programming for kids.

Arts and Community Life in Southwest Detroit

Amy Kuras Monday, May 13, 2013
Southwest Detroit attracts people with its ethnic food options, its early 20th century residential architecture and, increasingly, for innovative learning projects. 

Brown-Bagging an End to Hunger

Zinta Aistars Sunday, May 05, 2013
From 125 meals in 2003 to today's 5,100, Kids' Food Basket has grown into one of the brightest and most recognizable nonprofits in Grand Rapids.
Food 

Kids in Tune

Zinta Aistars Sunday, April 28, 2013
Kids in Tune is about more than teaching Kalamazoo youngsters music. It's about support, nurturing, joy and acquiring life skills through the learning of music skills.

Honoring Our Youth: A Starting Point to Success

Marla R. Miller Monday, April 22, 2013
Getting a GED isn't always so easy. Learn how the Honoring Our Youth program at Steepletown Neighborhood Services helps. 

A Case for Retention

Amy Kuras Monday, April 15, 2013
A study by CEOs For Cities found that 58 percent of a region's economic health comes from the educational attainment of its residents. How does our region cultivate a culture that properly educates, trains and retains its talent?

Clarkston Jr. High's Digital Blackboard

Patrick Dunn Saturday, April 06, 2013
What do mini laptops, video-streaming pencasts and Charlie Sheen have to do with academics? At Clarkston Junior High School, plenty. Algebra and statistics teacher Jeff Peariso has piloted a high-tech learning program for students, with exciting results.

Girls on the Run Gets Girls Running, Healthy and Happy

Kim North Shine Sunday, March 31, 2013
We all want our kids to have well-balanced, healthy and long lives. One of the keys to that is getting kids physically active and teaching them what to eat. A mid-Michigan program, Girls on the Run is doing that for young girls in Saginaw and Bay counties.

Opinion: School Success for All

Melinda Clynes Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Can we turn dismal statistical projections and empty rhetoric around education into constructive dialog and real cooperation? Vulnerable kids in Michigan and Detroit give us inspiration to try.

Academic Rigor, Commitment Make Cristo Rey Tick

Amy Kuras Saturday, March 16, 2013
This Catholic college prep high school in Southwest Detroit stresses an eight year educational arc -- four at Cristo Rey and four more at the university level -- as its measure of success. 

GRIL U Creates Leaders

Heidi Stukkie Monday, March 11, 2013
Teaching young adults how to be strong leaders is the key to transforming communities. A Grand Rapids nonprofit has a proven record for making this happen.

Empowering Our Youth Through Computer Science

Natalie Burg Sunday, March 03, 2013
When MSU identified a lack of qualified computer science applicants, the Information Technology Empowerment Center was created to foster a new generation of IT enthusiasts in Lansing. Here's how ITEC and an array of community partners are making it happen.

Bringing Lessons of the Far East into Midwest Classrooms

Patrick Dunn Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Oxford Community Schools Superintendent Bill Skilling sees a future dominated by China's economic and political interests. With that in mind, he has become a strong advocate for teaching our kids both Chinese culture and language.

Repairing Detroit Through Restorative Practices

Melinda Clynes Saturday, February 16, 2013
Can using Restorative Practices with students be the key to building community in Detroit? We think the idea has merit. 
125 Articles | Page: | Show All
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Bright Ideas

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Can systemic racism impact infant mortality?

Zinta Aistars Friday, June 12, 2015
Even when controlling for poverty, education level, and tobacco use of a mother, maternal and infant health outcomes are far worse for minority populations than European-American women. What's causing the continued disparities? And what can West Michigan do to ensure all babies born here have the best chance of reaching their potential? Zinta Aistars reports on Strong Beginnings, one local program working to give all families a fair start.
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Company Supports 4th Grade Field Trips to Lake Michigan

Victoria Mullen Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Parents working more than one job or odd hours, a lack of funds, and no transportation often prevent kids from experiencing one of Michigan’s incredible natural resources. For the majority of west side Grand Rapids elementary school kids, Lake Michigan is sadly out of reach. OST has teamed up with Grand Rapids Public Schools to give fourth-graders at west side schools the opportunity to experience the big lake firsthand.
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Youth Decide Where Grant Dollars are Spent

Anya Zentmeyer Wednesday, August 13, 2014
For Grand Rapids students who serve as trustees-in-training on the GRCF Youth Grant Committee, giving back to the community goes hand in hand with empowering students to succeed. 
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