Frustrated parents call into school board meeting over virtual only instruction
and last updated 2021-02-26 00:16:57-05
KALAMAZOO, Mich. â The Kalamazoo School Board has upheld the decision to instruct students virtually for the remainder of the school year. The decision was made by Superintendent Rita Raichoudhuri recently. The 6-`to-1 vote to uphold the decision was made my school board trustees on Thursday evening during what turned into a three hour meeting.
Dr. Rita Raichoudhuri referenced lack of staffing, social distancing, and union requirements as factors that led to the decision. Trustees who voted in favor agreed the virtual learning model is not best strategy for students to learn but right during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Kent County Commissioner highlights racial disparity in vaccine distribution
and last updated 2021-02-24 23:24:02-05
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. â Statewide data is revealing widespread disparity in who is getting the vaccine, with current numbers showing minorities are receiving the vaccine at an alarmingly low rate.
The issue was addressed in the a press conference held by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governer Garlin Gilchrist. It s clear we need to continue our efforts to get more communities of color vaccinated and close the gap in the data that is being reported, said Lt. Gov. Gilchrist, who formed the Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities at the start of the pandemic due to the number of deaths in the African American and Latino communities.
Lowell man graduates paramedic training, inspired by the loss of his father
Lowell man becomes a paramedic after his father died four years ago.
and last updated 2021-02-18 22:25:09-05
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. â On Thursday evening, eight students graduated as paramedics from Life EMS Ambulance s education program. The 17-month course was rigorous, with many students juggling other full-time jobs and families of their own.
Among the group was 25-year-old Zack Jahnke. The achievement also honors his late father, Tom, who passed away from health conditions four years ago.
Jahnke witnessed his father s decline over the course of a few months due to heart conditions. Zack, along with other relatives, made critical calls to 9-1-1.