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‘All in the Family’ activities feature game shows, scavenger hunts, lip syncs...
When senior Juan Estrada started high school four years ago, he wasn’t so sure about the “family style” setup. But now as a senior, he’s convinced that the school is on to something. “It is really good...
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District seeks funds for safety, technology & general upgrades
It has been nearly two decades — September 2001 — since the district went to voters with a bond request that wasn’t an operational or sinking fund renewal. On Nov. 5, they’ll ask for an extension of...
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‘The wheels on the bus go round and round’ — so the children on the bus come...
Voice level at zero to one. Buses get very, very loud.No backpacks in aisle. People will trip.Your seat in the seat and your back on the back. These bus rules aren’t just rules for the sake of having...
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Classroom activity gets a bit ‘squirrely’ as students head outside to explore
“Whoa, things look so close.” “I can see all the way to the top of that tree.” “I saw a squirrel once at another park.” Third grader Fransicio De Los Santos-Perez makes good use of his binoculars...
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Ninety year-old volunteer is something special
It is hard to say who enjoys the activities more — the students or Maxine Ames. Ames –now 90 years old — has been one of, if not the most, enthusiastic supporters of Sparta special education students...
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Sparta sinking fund renewal on Nov. 5 ballot
District officials want to make sure constituents understand what the upcoming ballot request to renew its sinking fund levy will and won’t pay for, and that if approved, won’t raise property taxes. A...
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By the middle schoolers, for the middle schoolers
Middle school politics may get a bad rap, but the new student government at Sparta Middle School is working as a positive force. The new legislature of civic-minded seventh and eighth graders say they...
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District unveils phone app to connect with community
When the Sparta Board of Education released a new Strategic Plan in July, one of the key elements listed was the need to bolster communication. At a public meeting in August, Superintendent Pete Bush...
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Never too early to learn ways to stay safe
When do you tell? Who would you tell? Speaker Susan Jacwiec, representing the State Attorney General’s office, presents safe concepts to third grade students Since 2013, the Michigan government has...
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‘Doing art well is what matters’
Art is everything to sixth grader Sixto Pablo-Ramirez. His art comes from deep inside, he said, and he sometimes fights tears as he explains what each piece means to him. Sixto Pablo-Ramirez shows off...
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Students raise funds to bring clean water to Haitian people
Lexi Risner wasn’t the only Sparta Middle School sixth-grader inspired to help students and their families in Haiti. But at more than $500, she holds the record for raising the most money for the...
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Students’ planes fly toward summer break
There was a time when students making paper airplanes in class might have been seen as a discipline problem, but not in Nicole Andreas’ fifth-grade classroom. Instead, paper airplanes were the last...
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District’s new logo: State of the Art – Small Town Heart
To start the new school year, Sparta officials shared details of its recently released strategic plan — a new logo, enhanced curriculum choices, continued facility and safety improvements and an...
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From tiny houses to camping utensils & personal phone cases, they can design it
Seventh grader Annabelle Kopenkosky has no desire to become a design engineer, but she is finding the new 3D design class useful for her intended career in interior design. “I love moving furniture...
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‘Their absolute best’
Sometimes it is hard to know exactly what to do, said Kent City Marching Band Director John Schnicke — especially at Detroit’s Ford Field on Nov. 2, when the band won its first-ever state...
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Five districts win tax approvals, one weathers defeat
Five Kent ISD school districts are breathing easier following voter approval of tax requests in Tuesday’s election, but one is weighing options after its proposed bond issue was defeated. Voters in...
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Honoring those who served, all year long
For more than 20 years, veterans from World War I to those recently deployed in the Middle East have been honored by Kent City Community Schools. Throughout the district, throughout the year, students...
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Stretch, hold, relax, get ready to learn
More and more educators are looking for and finding ways to help children cope with stress. And high on the list of options is offering students experience with the ancient practice of yoga. In East...
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Video gaming moves from virtual online to inter-school competitions
Senior Tyler Risner plays football for Sparta HIgh School, but he believes the trend toward having schools compete in electronic games is also a great idea — especially for students who choose not to...
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Celebrating the holidays with card, treat, gift-making
First grader Sloan Biehl takes making her holiday treat very seriously One thing is for sure – Ridgeview Elementary students will be ready for holiday break. Last week they prepared for the holidays...
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