Latest news with #GrandRapidsPublicSchools
07-05-2025
- Politics
61st District Court celebrates Law Day with GR students
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The 61st District Court joined Grand Rapids students on May 1 for National Law Day. Judges collaborated with Grand Rapids Public Schools to host a student essay contest. The theme was 'The Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One.' Winners were announced at an event at C.A. Frost Middle School. Dominick Henriott-Jauw won first place, Trenton Boda won second and Corwin McGee won third. Chief Judge Angela Ross presented the winning students with their certificates. Students also got a gift card. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
17-04-2025
- Business
Consumers Energy Delivers Over $1 Million in Rebates, Cost Savings for Grand Rapids Public Schools
Lighting projects, cooling system upgrades highlight energy efficiency efforts in 39 district buildings GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is proud to partner with Grand Rapids Public Schools to empower one of the state's largest school districts to save money through Consumers Energy's energy efficiency programs. Consumers Energy is helping the district avoid nearly 5.2 million future kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy usage annually, which equates to over $500,000 a year in projected savings on the district's energy bill. The savings were achieved over a two-year period through electrical upgrades of lighting, cooling system, and HVAC systems and other improvements at 39 district buildings. Among the highlights of the work were a nearly $200,000 Consumers Energy rebate awarded to the district for new electrical equipment and other upgrades as part of the Innovation High School campus renovation, and nearly $30,000 for making energy efficient lighting updates at Alger Middle School. "The money we're investing back to GRPS schools supports building operations and improvements to the district's learning environment," said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer experience. "We are committed to doing our part to educate and empower the district through our energy efficiency programs to help all Michiganders save energy and save money." "Partnering with Consumers Energy to reduce our energy usage helps us minimize our environmental impact and lower costs, allowing our district to invest more in our scholars, families, and staff," said Dr. Leadriane Roby, superintendent of schools for Grand Rapids Public Schools. Consumers Energy provides customers with the power to reduce energy waste and lower bills through energy efficiency and demand response programs like the Smart Thermostat program, Home Energy Analysis, Appliance Recycling and Water Heater rebates. And in conjunction with the company's Clean Energy Plan, which uses natural gas as a fuel source to generate baseload power, Consumers Energy's plan creates price stability and will save about $600 million through 2040. To find out what programs or rebates you may qualify for, visit Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7. For more information about Consumers Energy, go to Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media Facebook: Instagram: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Consumers Energy
16-04-2025
- General
GRPS shares renderings of new school at Aberdeen site
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids Public Schools has of the new elementary school being built to replace Aberdeen Academy. The new elementary will be built behind the current Aberdeen building. Officials expect it to open in 2027. Once the new school opens, it will replace Aberdeen and Palmer elementary schools, and the current Aberdeen building will be demolished. Why GRPS is proposing a new Aberdeen school The district shared plans for the new school at a Tuesday meeting with community members. According to GRPS, the design is intended to reflect the Red Hawk mascot: There are two classroom 'wings' around the body of the school. The interior design will feature organic colors and forms, aiming to create a collaborative, inviting atmosphere and help students 'take flight,' the district said. It will include a media center and a dedication wall, according to the plans. With a price tag of $38 million, the construction will be funded by funds from a bond voters in 2023. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
11-02-2025
- General
Elder stories: Retired GRPS teacher's years of service about people
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Seventy-three-year-old Annette M. Raden has lived in West Michigan her entire life. She worked for the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department for 25 years and Grand Rapids Public Schools for more than 30. In the second installment of our Elder Voices series for Black History Month, Raden sat down with News 8's Brittany Flowers to share what this community means to her, what she's proud of and her advice to younger generations. You can read the Q&A from their conversation below.A: 'It means information and it means family. I think if you know history, then you know what the future's going to be and my family, I made sure that my kids knew. They always tell me, 'Mom, you know too much history.' I said, 'Not enough.' That's what I do. Black history is very important to me.' Elder stories: Longtime crossing guard talks about progress A: 'It still hasn't grown enough for me, but I've been with a lot of things. I worked in the Rec Department for 25 years, so I dealt with kids throughout the city. I've worked for the Grand Rapids Public Schools for 32 years. I've dealt with people through that. So it's people to me — that's what it means to me is people. I like people, so meeting people, all different people and doing different things. I was involved with the Urban Renewal Grand Rapids, I was involved in the South High School. I was involved in… there's so many different things that I like to say I was part of making this Grand Rapids what it is, maybe helping it be better in the future.'A: 'I didn't really work. I hung around his house when he was doing the maps and stuff like that. It was different, because his daughter and I are the same age and we were good friends and I'd go over there and he would have the maps out, and he had people over. 'What is he doing?' 'He's going to be mayor one day.' 'No, he's not.' And finally, he was mayor and I couldn't believe it. It was different. Politically, it was a time when people didn't see people like him on anything very big and yet he got to be mayor and it was like, 'Wow, this is something.'' The legacy of Grand Rapids' first Black mayor Lyman Parks A: 'My husband, for one. He graduated with his masters at 63 years old and he's now a minister, and we have a pretty good life. I'm proud of my grandkids and my kids and I'm proud to know the people that I know.'A: 'It was the pandemic and I was messing around with material and that one on the back, the one behind you, is when I started. I just kind of put glue on a piece of paper and it came out. I do things. … I do quilts and things. So this was just by accident. However I feel, that's what I do.'A: 'The way people look at other people. I lived on Henry and Logan in Grand Rapids. I went to Henry School. I had a little block that I went around all the time. I didn't venture outside my block and I knew a lot of people. Older people on the block taught me what I know today. I'm partly the person I am because of them. I come from a single-parent family, and they taught me all I know and I've grown and it's just today is a little too fast. People don't pay attention to other people as much.' Muskegon-area nonprofit works to address disparities in access to housing A: 'Do your best. Be for real and just be blessed by the Lord. That's all you can do. Just be for real. Be yourself. Learn something and give it to somebody else. I've done that many times. All the stuff that that I've done comes from other people that I know and I try to give it back to somebody else. That's my specialty.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
