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On Friday, Lucas Burns went shopping with his mom, Mindy Burns, and sisters, Emma and Kaitlyn Burns. Back-to-school shopping is expected to reach about $29.5 billion nationwide, according to the National Retail Federation.
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Education

Back-to-school shopping expected to reach $29.5B this year

With the 2017-18 school year right around the corner, families are stocking up on school supplies.

Aug 19, 2017 at 9:00 AM
Grand Haven Area Public Schools and the Service Employees International Union Local 517M have reached a three-year contract agreement.
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Grand Haven Area Public Schools

GHAPS, employee group reach contract agreement

The Grand Haven school board on Monday approved a three-year contract agreement with the Service Employees International Union Local 517M.

Aug 16, 2017 at 11:00 AM
Forty-two Spring Lake High School students and six chaperones took a European trip earlier this summer. They visited Dublin, London, Paris and Normandy. Here, they pose for a group photo in Normandy.
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Spring Lake High School

SLHS students, educators reflect on European trip

Earlier this summer, 42 Spring Lake High School students and six chaperones spent 12 days and 11 nights visiting Dublin, London, Paris and Normandy.

Aug 15, 2017 at 1:00 PM
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Education

Enrollment drop forces college to close undergrad programs

DETROIT — Marygrove College, a small liberal arts school surrounded by homes in a northwest Detroit neighborhood, is shutting down its undergraduate programs due to declining enrollment.

Aug 10, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos reads "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to children during her visit to the DeGraf Nature Center in Holland on Wednesday, Aug. 2.
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betsy devos

Betsy DeVos reads to kids during visit to Holland

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos made a hometown stop at DeGraaf Nature Center on Wednesday, Aug. 2, to encourage children to read over the summer.

Aug 4, 2017 at 6:00 PM
Jake Lutz and Lareyana Plescher acted in Grand Haven High School’s production of “Letters to Sala.” Lutz said his involvement in the school's theater department and the people in it were a “huge influence” in his life and future plans.
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Education

GHHS grad receives prestigious WMU scholarship

Grand Haven High School graduate Jake Lutz is one of 20 to receive the “highest award for incoming freshmen” at Western Michigan University.

Aug 3, 2017 at 1:00 PM
The Fruitport school board has approved moving forward with putting repair work out to bid later this fall for the district’s pool.
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Fruitport Community Schools

Fruitport Community Schools to seek bids for pool repairs

The district’s Board of Education has approved seeking bids for repairs — replacing damaged concrete and tile, and re-grouting the pool — adding a lift, updating lighting and a $5,000 contingency. Based on estimates, it’s expected to cost about $210,000.

Aug 2, 2017 at 12:00 PM
Spring Lake Public Schools is one of Michigan's school districts that will begin before the Labor Day weekend this year.
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Education

Record number of Michigan schools to begin early

A record number of school districts in Michigan are bypassing the state's 11-year ban on starting school before Labor Day and opening their doors to students in August.

Aug 1, 2017 at 6:30 PM
More than 70 students involved with St. Mary’s Youth Ministries participated in the 2017 Alive in You mission camp and conference. During the day, the group worked in the community. At night, they focused on growing in their Catholic faith.
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St. Mary's Catholic Church

'Great acts of kindness'

Mission trip participants reflect on their experiences.

Aug 1, 2017 at 2:00 PM
High school students from GVSU-authorized charter schools work in the college's Sustainable Ag Project garden during a summer enrichment camp.
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Education

GVSU lets high schoolers experience college life

Nearly 100 West Michigan high school juniors and seniors got the chance to experience college life, thanks to Grand Valley State University.

Jul 30, 2017 at 5:00 PM
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syndicated columnist

Grade inflation gives many students A’s for effort

If you want more evidence of our collective coddling of children, look no further than the time-honored high school report card.

Jul 29, 2017 at 3:00 PM
Shelly Hammond
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Education

Hammond named Ferry, Voyager principal

For most of the summer, Shelly Hammond has been spending time meeting the staff of her new school and getting a feel for the building.

Jul 28, 2017 at 3:00 PM
James Friggens looks at the slime he created with glue, water and Borax at the Northwest Ottawa Recreation Authority's Colorful Chemistry camp last week.
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NORA

Exploring science

NORA camp offers hands-on learning experience.

Jul 25, 2017 at 11:00 AM
David Pike, who lives in Spring Lake during the summer, recently completed America’s Great Loop aboard a 14-foot dinghy. Pike, 69, broke his more than 5,300-mile trip into two legs. He is shown here with his wife, Ann Purvis, aboard the Journey. The couple spoke every day and met up several times during Pike’s adventure.
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Boating

Spring Lake man completes America's Great Loop in a dinghy

On July 1, David Pike finished his 5,384-mile trip in a dinghy.

Jul 25, 2017 at 10:00 AM
Sorrelle
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Lakeshore Middle School

Sorrelle named Lakeshore Middle School principal

After six years as Lakeshore Middle School’s assistant principal, Sorrelle is transitioning into becoming the school’s principal.

Jul 24, 2017 at 10:00 AM