KENT COUNTY, Mich.—  The Kent Intermediate School District is getting a federal boost to physical and nutritional education programs. 

 U.S. Department of Education has awarded 67 grants totaling more than $33 million to local education agencies and community-base organizations.  Only two groups in Michigan were awarded funding; KISD is getting $429,404 for programs to help K-12 students develop healthy lifestyles and meet state standards for physical education.

“A healthy, active lifestyle is an important ingredient of academic success,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “These grants are a resource to help schools and communities develop programs that teach students the importance of staying active and developing healthy lifestyles. We need more states, districts, schools and communities to recognize the critically important role of physical education in improving student engagement and achievement.”

LOWELL, Mich.—Spring is here, which means the Kent District Library has officially opened its Seed Library at 13 branches.

Patrons can visit the library to “borrow” up to three packets of heirloom seeds for their garden.  People who take seed packets are asked to save seeds from the plants they grow and return them in late summer or fall for someone else to use next year.

The library is also accepting any heirloom variety seeds gardeners want to add to the library.  For more information, visit the library’s website.

Participating branches include those in Alpine Township, East Grand Rapids, Lowell, Grandville, Plainfield Township, Rockford and Wyoming.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—More than a dozen teams of West Michigan youth will head to Lansing next month for the Science Olympiad State Tournament.

The teams competed for a spot in the competition during the Region 12 Michigan Science Olympiad event held Saturday.  It was the 30th anniversary for the competition, held at Grand Valley State University.

Based on the results, the following teams will compete at the state Capitol:

            Middle School Teams (in order of place)

1.     Lakeshore Middle School

2.     Grandville Middle School

3.     Jenison Jr. High

4.     Chandler Woods Charter