Tag Archives: schools

GVSU K-12 Connect selected as vetted tutoring provider for MI Kids Back on Track program

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, Kent County, West Michigan, , , , ,
Nearly three-quarters of the state’s schools are short of teachers, according to a survey by the Michigan Education Association (MEA). (pxhere.com)


By WKTV Staff

Grand Valley State University’s K-12 Connect academic support program recently received approval as a vetted high-impact tutoring provider for K-12 districts seeking funds from the MI Kids Back on Track program.

The K-12 Connect program joins a select group of approved providers aligned with the requirements for the $150 million MI Kids Back on Track program. This makes providers eligible for K-12 districts receiving grant funds to utilize them for tutoring services.

Empowering students through education

K-12 Connect is dedicated to opening doors of opportunity to students (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

The state funds are designed to support learning that get students back to grade-level academic standards, assist those at risk of falling behind and prepare students for postsecondary education.

As a provider using a Michigan-aligned curriculum, K-12 Connect is primed to deliver high-quality tutoring services to Michigan students, said Amirah Vosburgh, K-12 Connect Director. She said this recognition as a trusted educational partner opens doors to opportunities for growth and impact while enhancing K-12 Connect’s commitment to supporting students.

“This approval is more than just a stamp of recognition; it’s a testament to our dedication to empowering students, supporting educators and fostering academic success,” said Vosburgh. “We believe that this endorsement will not only enhance our credibility but also solidify our position as a leading provider of educational solutions.

“We are excited about the possibilities ahead and remain steadfast in our mission to transform the learning experience for students across our communities.”

Personalized support

K-12 Connect was created in 2020 to address learning loss during the pandemic. It has steadily grown, supporting more than 5,500 students. K-12 Connect is working with educators in 35 school buildings across Michigan this academic year.

In addition, K-12 Connect is approved to provide direct-to-family tutoring in eight states, with more approvals on the way, officials said.

Personalized support helps students excel in learning (Courtesy photo)

K-12 Connect offers personalized support, either during school or after school, for K-12 students across all grade levels. Tutors help students attain proficiency in math, maximize reading capabilities, build skills through academic mentoring to help with high school success and preparation for college, and more.

Learn more about the programming on the K-12 Connect website.

Kentwood family provided first schools for the local community

architecture, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Education, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Local History, Our Cities, West Michigan, , ,
Bowen School built in 1905 (Courtesy, Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission)

By Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission

Bowen School, September 1950 (Courtesy, Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission)

Some of the City’s most important links to the past are from the history, lifestyle and contributions of the Bowens.

The Bowens were involved in the construction of four Bowen Schools built over several decades. Early settlers Bostwick and Hattie Bowen were particularly interested in the educational affairs of the community. Both served as director of the school board. They hired teachers and some even boarded at the Bowen’s home.

The first school was built on the Bowen property. A second one, known as Bowen 2, was built off property but nearby Brake’s Blacksmith Shop and an abandoned train depot.

Bowen 2 tragically burned down in 1904. After the school fire, the blacksmith donated part of the shop for classes for the rest of the year. When located in the blacksmith shop, the school was known as Bowen 3.

The Bowen School being torn down in 1962 (Courtesy, Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission)

The next year, the depot was destroyed, and materials were used to build a new school, Bowen 4, which was completed in 1905. The new two-room school was built of cement blocks with a large archway at the entrance.

The idea of two rooms – one where younger children could be taught and another for older students – was that of Bostwick. There was much opposition, but the idea won out. It was the first two-room schoolhouse in the area and also the first local school to be made out of brick.

The building was used until 1952 when the current Bowen Elementary School was built on the same lot but further back. The two-room building was then demolished in 1962.

To learn more about the Historic Preservation Commission, visit kentwood.us/HPC

Schools will soon have cleaner water, reduce risk of lead poisoning

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Thousands of Michigan children are at risk of lead poisoning (Courtesy, Midstory)

By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org

Thousands of Michigan children are at risk of lead poisoning, but will soon be protected at schools and childcare centers.

On Oct. 19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law “Filter First” legislation. This legislation consists of three bills that require the installation of lead water filters in all schools and childcare centers. Costs will be offset by $50 million dollars currently set aside in the state budget.

“Michigan lawmakers have just enacted the nation’s strongest measures protecting kids from lead in school and childcare centers,” said Cyndi Roper, Michigan senior policy advocate for NRDC. “These bills implement a solution that actually gets lead out of drinking water while also realizing dramatic cost savings over other approaches.”

“F” ranking prompts immediate action

The legislation’s passage comes after a nationwide Environment America report gave Michigan an F grade for its efforts to remove lead from school drinking water. With “Filter First” legislation becoming law, the ranking would be boosted to an A.

Lead levels are harmful in many locations (Courtesy, Midstory)

Research by Elin Betanzo, president and founder of Safe Water Engineering LLC, revealed that 89% of the 114 schools and childcare facilities that voluntarily submitted water samples to the state had dangerous amounts of lead in them.

Lead stunts mental, physical and social development. Young children, whose minds and bodies are growing most, are especially at risk. No amount of lead is safe.

“There has not been a bigger moment in the lead poisoning fight since lead paint was banned 45 years ago,” said Charlotte Jameson, chief policy officer for the Michigan Environmental Council. “Momentum is on our side. We can make lead poisoning history, not current reality.”

The filters schools and childcare centers will install prevent lead found in fountains and taps from leaching into the water children and staff drink. Lead leaching is possible in water fixtures new and old, and is especially prevalent in those left unused for long periods of time. That makes schools and childcare centers, with their many breaks and weekend closures, especially prone to lead contamination.

More about the “Filter First” method

The policy within the legislation, dubbed “Filter First,” is more effective than replacing water infrastructure outright because even new plumbing contains lead. It is also hundreds of millions of dollars cheaper and much faster to implement, according to an analysis prepared by NRDC for the Filter First Coalition.

“Michigan school water data shows that 89% of sampled buildings found detectable lead in their water,” said Betanzo of Safe Water Engineering. “Since Birmingham Public Schools switched its drinking water to all filter stations, there hasn’t been any lead in any of their filtered water samples.

“The Filter First law ensures that all drinking water in Michigan schools and childcare centers will be filtered, improving water quality at more than 3,000 schools statewide and achieving results just like Birmingham.”