Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1094266
Education FOCUS ON LEARNING School districts raise the bar on innovation and technology The Kentwood School District has approximately 8,500 students in sixteen buildings within 24.25 square miles. It is a wonderful family-oriented com- munity that truly supports education. They provide highly trained staff to educate the children in a safe and orderly environment. Education in Kentwood is about capturing the excitement of children to learn and to inspire them to believe in the value of all human beings. Kentwood Public Schools work hard to equip their students to meet difficult circumstanc- es and many of our students demonstrate the grit it takes to overcome rough life circumstances on a daily basis. Three key areas for parents and students are: Grit: Our students have the inner strength and intel- lectual capability to meet and rise above life's chal- lenges. Positive relationships and high expectations: Posi- tive relationships provide the support needed to overcome difficult life circumstances. Positive relationships provide the strength to meet high expectations and tackle what feels like the impossi- ble. Global schools focused on excellence: We succeed on an international stage because Kentwood has a global perspective with a commitment to excellence in all that we do. ocusing on community, personalized learning and technology, the area's school districts are committed to teaching students the diverse skills needed to succeed in today's fast moving world. 2 Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Mr. Craig Hoekstra oversees a district of 4,500 students and 475 employees with the mission of Empowering All Students For Life-long Learning. The district has added additional student clubs and educational courses at the high end as well as support programs for those students challenged by their current level of learning, he continued. This past year, the female members of the Wyoming High School Robotics Team traveled to Detroit to participate in a special "Girls Only" competition held at Bloomfield Hills High School where they competed against 32 teams from around Michigan; not only did they compete, but they flourished and made it to the semi-finals.