GRCC In The News 4/22/2010

Grand Rapids schools address online courses rumor: Colleges will accept credits

By Kym Reinstadler | The Grand Rapids Press

April 22, 2010, 7:05AM

Grand Rapids Press File PhotoSuperintendent Bernard TaylorGRAND RAPIDS — There are many questions about Grand Rapids Public Schools’ planned shift to predominantly online education in its high schools next fall, but whether area colleges will accept credits being earned via computer isn’t one of them.

…It’s the same story at Grand Rapids Community College, Calvin College, Hope College, Aquinas College and Cornerstone University.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/04/grand_rapids_schools_address_o.html

Grand Rapids rolls out the Green Carpet for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

April 22, 8:01 AM Examiner: Grand Rapids Environmental News

By Maureen Rice

How cool to live in a community where Earth Day celebrations began at the beginning of April and have continued throughout the month in K-12 classrooms, universities, libraries, retail establishments and at City and County sponsored events.

…Other notable Earth Day events were hosted by John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University, just to name a few.

http://www.examiner.com/x-28192-Grand-Rapids-Environmental-News-Examiner~y2010m4d22-Grand-Rapids-rolls-out-the-Green-Carpet-for-the-40th-Anniversary-of-Earth-Day

Play’s the Thing with the GRSSC

By G.F. Korreck,  RapidGrowth.com

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Who would’ve thought that getting people involved in games they last played in grade school — if ever — would be the cornerstone of a new social network?

Chris Wessely, for one. Wessely is the founder of the Grand Rapids Sports and Social Club (GRSSC), an organization geared mostly toward 20- and 30-somethings that has more than doubled in membership since its initial co-ed dodgeball season in 2008.

…Joblessness was not as daunting to him as it might have been for some. It freed Wessely to pursue a long-time passion, cooking, which led him to enroll in Grand Rapids Community College’s culinary arts program.

http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/features/042210grssc.aspx

Congratulations Math Awareness Contest Winners

The results of the Math Awareness Contest are in. The grand prize  (a hooded GRCC sweatshirt) of the student division goes to Elizabeth Machiele.  The grand prize ( $25 GRCC Bookstore gift card) of the employee division goes to Janice Holton in Payroll. A special thanks to Follett Bookstore for donating the sweatshirt and gift card.

Learn the Basics of Conversational Spanish

GRCC’s Continuing Education and Professional Development is offering Accelerated Spanish for Travelers May 4 through 20, 2010, every Tuesday & Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  This 12 hour workshop provides a basic introduction to the Spanish language and Hispanic culture with an emphasis on conversational skills. This is an excellent way to gain practical knowledge about the language and practice using common phrases and expressions in a conversational setting.  Registration is $95.

Instructor Sarah Matthews will cover: basic pronunciation, common courtesy phrases, asking for and giving basic information, getting around by taxi, negotiating hotel and restaurant needs, going shopping and communicating medical and emergency needs. You will also gain a basic understanding of various differences between U.S. and Latino cultures. To register go to www.grcclearn.com

Student Employees Celebrated

On Friday, April 16 Student Employment Services (SES) hosted a celebration honoring GRCC’s student employees.  The event had a great turnout and many students commented that they truly felt appreciated.  SES would like to thank all the volunteers, donors, Aaron Chew and his staff for their assistance, and all the employees that helped out behind the scenes.  Thanks also to all the supervisors who took time throughout the week to recognize and appreciate their student employees!

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120 People Clean-Up Our Neighborhood

About 120 GRCC students, employees, and community members braved the cold and blustery weather on Saturday with the Academic Service Learning Center for a Community Clean-Up in honor of Earth Day. Thank you to all the employees and students who helped us get the word out about this event!

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Participants cleaned up areas around GRCC in groups including: Cancer Survivors Park, Coit Park, Heartside Park, Division Avenue, Heritage Hill and neighborhoods surrounding the areas. Beyond the clean-up these students met some of our neighbors, both with and without homes, and spread the word about all that GRCC does.

One student shared, “Cleaning up the community has been a dirty job, but it was nice when people driving by said ‘Thank You.’ It made me feel good.”

Another student shared an idea about why it is important to do community service given today’s economy, “To bring communities together and to show how we can support each other in the toughest of times.”

Academic Service Learning would like to thank our team leaders for helping make meaningful connections between their service work, principles of sustainability, as well as personal and interpersonal general learner outcomes. We would also like to thank the Sustainability Council for making this event part of their “Visioning the Change” series.

We could not have done this event without trash bags, pickers, and gloves on loan from the City of Grand Rapids; Steve Faber from Friends of Grand Rapids Parks helping to map the locations; Moss Ingram sharing information about the “Triple Bottom Line of Sustainability,” and the meal donated and prepared by Guiding Light Mission.