Head of the Class tag:blog.mlive.com,2016:/headoftheclass/2266 2014-01-14T18:18:36Z Grand Rapids Education and Schools News Movable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance Bad postcards of the week: Pick the best of the bad postcards we've enjoyed tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/news/index.ssf//2926.10900003 2013-07-13T13:15:11Z 2013-07-13T13:19:48Z I've spent a lot of time these past couple weeks looking back and the wonderful people I've worked with and the adventures I've had as a journalist. Thank you for making me a part of your Saturday each week. Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html I've spent a lot of time these past couple weeks looking back and the wonderful people I've worked with and the adventures I've had as a journalist. Thank you for making me a part of your Saturday each week. Plan to merge administrative functions would save money that could be better spent in classrooms tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10897982 2013-07-12T17:21:44Z 2013-07-12T17:31:22Z People care about their local schools, their teachers, their sports mascots and their rich community traditions.But are they as concerned about where lunches are planned, where their bus routes are mapped out, where their supplies are ordered or stored or where the accountants distribute checks to workers and vendors? MLive/Grand Rapids Press opinion http://connect.mlive.com/user/cvgrandrapids/index.html People care about their local schools, their teachers, their sports mascots and their rich community traditions.But are they as concerned about where lunches are planned, where their bus routes are mapped out, where their supplies are ordered or stored or where the accountants distribute checks to workers and vendors? If studying district consolidation, here's what Michigan can learn from charter schools (Guest column) tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10896565 2013-07-12T11:55:42Z 2013-07-12T12:12:36Z "Instead of 500-plus local bureaucracies, we’d have just 56 of them. Flanagan suggests that a move in this direction would save hundreds of millions of dollars over time. Would it?" MLive/Grand Rapids Press opinion http://connect.mlive.com/user/cvgrandrapids/index.html "Instead of 500-plus local bureaucracies, we’d have just 56 of them. Flanagan suggests that a move in this direction would save hundreds of millions of dollars over time. Would it?" Pot holders, photos, scrapbooks and letters: People share memories, mementos of Gerald R. Ford tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3625.10894480 2013-07-11T23:49:10Z 2013-07-11T23:50:47Z Many readers not only shared their stories and their photos of President Gerald Ford, but the things they've saved over the years. Many people showed us letters signed by the future president. Some saved postcards, booklets and campaign items, like potholders. Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Many readers not only shared their stories and their photos of President Gerald Ford, but the things they've saved over the years. Many people showed us letters signed by the future president. Some saved postcards, booklets and campaign items, like potholders. Letters to the editor: Fireworks law should be repealed tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10881140 2013-07-11T18:00:33Z 2013-07-11T18:13:48Z Readers also discussed gay marriage, comments from State Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kentwood's mayoral race and other topics. MLive/Grand Rapids Press opinion http://connect.mlive.com/user/cvgrandrapids/index.html Readers also discussed gay marriage, comments from State Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kentwood's mayoral race and other topics. Reporter who covered Gerald Ford for decades: 'He was a wonderful human being' tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10890645 2013-07-11T15:17:42Z 2013-07-11T18:48:22Z "He was a wonderful human being, and it was an honor for me to have known him." Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html "He was a wonderful human being, and it was an honor for me to have known him." Outstanding in their field: Readers share more stories about meeting Gerald Ford (Gallery) tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3625.10887137 2013-07-10T19:49:28Z 2013-07-11T14:26:18Z Martin Buth: The photo shows Ford in 1950 in our cow pasture. I am pictured alongside Jerry with one of the Holstein cattle. The young boy in the picture is my son, George, who today is in his 27th year as a Kent County Circuit judge Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Martin Buth: The photo shows Ford in 1950 in our cow pasture. I am pictured alongside Jerry with one of the Holstein cattle. The young boy in the picture is my son, George, who today is in his 27th year as a Kent County Circuit judge Readers remember their encounters with Gerald R. Ford, 'a Grand Rapids guy' tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3625.10884234 2013-07-10T13:30:04Z 2013-07-10T14:20:30Z As Michigan celebrates the 100th anniversary of President Ford's birth, we asked readers to share their stories about moments they shared over the years. Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html As Michigan celebrates the 100th anniversary of President Ford's birth, we asked readers to share their stories about moments they shared over the years. Come play catch with Crash and the Whitecaps on Wednesday tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3625.10882903 2013-07-09T22:13:04Z 2013-07-09T22:21:25Z Whitecaps players and their mischievous mascot Crash plan to toss the ball around with fans and friends on Wednesday between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Whitecaps players and their mischievous mascot Crash plan to toss the ball around with fans and friends on Wednesday between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. The idea that our government might be monitoring citizens was considered nothing more than 'sci-fi madness' (Guest column) tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10877831 2013-07-08T22:41:45Z 2013-07-08T22:42:57Z "We see this world so lacking in integrity, intelligence, kindness, and compassion that we pray each day our own children and grandchildren will be able to navigate the storm without becoming stressed-out and cold-hearted." MLive/Grand Rapids Press opinion http://connect.mlive.com/user/cvgrandrapids/index.html "We see this world so lacking in integrity, intelligence, kindness, and compassion that we pray each day our own children and grandchildren will be able to navigate the storm without becoming stressed-out and cold-hearted." Bad postcards of the week: What I learned in South Dakota tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/news/index.ssf//2926.10867482 2013-07-06T13:15:49Z 2013-07-06T13:16:21Z South Dakota, we learned, is one of those states with more U.S. senators than representatives, with just 800,000 people. There is a chance that during some stretches, we saw more Wall Drug signs than other travelers. Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html South Dakota, we learned, is one of those states with more U.S. senators than representatives, with just 800,000 people. There is a chance that during some stretches, we saw more Wall Drug signs than other travelers. We don't need a committee to know why voting lines were too long (Letters to the editor) tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10857921 2013-07-04T16:50:41Z 2013-07-04T16:54:49Z Readers also sounded off on gay marriage, pension issues, MLive and The Grand Rapids Press and other topics. MLive/Grand Rapids Press opinion http://connect.mlive.com/user/cvgrandrapids/index.html Readers also sounded off on gay marriage, pension issues, MLive and The Grand Rapids Press and other topics. Girl Scouts are transforming, but are still strong (Guest column) tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10854070 2013-07-03T12:46:07Z 2013-07-03T12:53:52Z West Michigan has a strong history of growing talent and developing tomorrow’s leaders. MLive/Grand Rapids Press opinion http://connect.mlive.com/user/cvgrandrapids/index.html West Michigan has a strong history of growing talent and developing tomorrow’s leaders. State Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons: 'Let's focus on what's best for students, teachers and Michigan's future' (Guest column) tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10837926 2013-06-29T14:30:42Z 2013-06-30T14:12:48Z "I proudly support Michigan public schools, and why wouldn't I? I am the product of them myself. Not only that, I send my kids to public schools, the largest endorsement any parent can give." MLive/Grand Rapids Press opinion http://connect.mlive.com/user/cvgrandrapids/index.html "I proudly support Michigan public schools, and why wouldn't I? I am the product of them myself. Not only that, I send my kids to public schools, the largest endorsement any parent can give." Bad postcard of the week: 'Come to my house and buy stuff' tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/news/index.ssf//2926.10837858 2013-06-29T13:15:14Z 2013-06-29T13:15:32Z OK, bad postcard fans. Do you attend parties where friends try to sell you stuff? Do you like them? Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html OK, bad postcard fans. Do you attend parties where friends try to sell you stuff? Do you like them? Fireworks: There's a difference between being a proud patriot and a neighborhood nuisance tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10831792 2013-06-28T13:32:58Z 2013-06-28T13:32:30Z It was reasonable for leaders to pass ordinances this week restricting the use of fireworks in the overnight hours, quickly following up on a state law that allows communities to make such rules. Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html It was reasonable for leaders to pass ordinances this week restricting the use of fireworks in the overnight hours, quickly following up on a state law that allows communities to make such rules. Letters to the editor: Why is Spanish given preference for City Commission translations? tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10783822 2013-06-24T11:31:38Z 2013-06-24T11:32:02Z Readers also sound off on school funding, Obamacare, the drinking culture, climate change, noise at Griffins games and other issues. MLive/Grand Rapids Press opinion http://connect.mlive.com/user/cvgrandrapids/index.html Readers also sound off on school funding, Obamacare, the drinking culture, climate change, noise at Griffins games and other issues. Lupe Ramos-Montigny: Rep. Lyons' 'pigs and hogs' comment was 'shameful' tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10803737 2013-06-23T16:10:01Z 2013-06-23T16:26:30Z Rep. Lyons, speaking in support of the amendment, had no sympathy for the school employees who lost their jobs, stating "pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered." MLive/Grand Rapids Press opinion http://connect.mlive.com/user/cvgrandrapids/index.html Rep. Lyons, speaking in support of the amendment, had no sympathy for the school employees who lost their jobs, stating "pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered." Bad postcard of the week: The Everglades, allegedly with alligators, but certainly with bland buildings tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/news/index.ssf//2926.10795746 2013-06-22T13:15:43Z 2013-06-22T20:30:07Z There are exotic sights and creatures in the Everglades. I tell you this because not a single one of them are in this week's bad postcard. Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html There are exotic sights and creatures in the Everglades. I tell you this because not a single one of them are in this week's bad postcard. Reckless people who put themselves in danger need to be rescued, but not handed a bill tag:www.mlive.com,2013:/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf//3720.10791675 2013-06-21T17:15:46Z 2013-06-21T17:19:29Z The plan deserves a good discussion. But it might just be best to let the police and firefighters do their jobs without running a tab for the people they are assisting. Dave Murray http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html The plan deserves a good discussion. But it might just be best to let the police and firefighters do their jobs without running a tab for the people they are assisting.