Grand Rapids Young Professionals (GRYP), Business Leaders Linked to Encourage New Directions (BL2END), and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Greater Grand Rapids (YNPN) will be inviting their membership along with members of the community to gather and learn about the Grand Rapids Public School (GRPS) system from the very energetic and proud Superintendent Neal.
While this is not the first time YNPN, Bl2end and GRYP have gathered together, (A New Conversation (ANC) hosted events in the past with these three groups), it is the first time that the three groups, whose leadership has been meeting on a regular basis to strategize ways to create a greater retention rate of talent in this region, have gathered together at this level.
Many professionals may not have kids nor want them, but that's no reason to stay away from this event, according to GRYP's President Nicole Rodammer, who thinks every young professional would glean something special on this night.
“As some young professionals may not be in the mind set of having kids and owning a home yet, we want to make sure they are educated when it comes to options on where to live and where to send your kids one day," says Rodammer. "We also want to make sure they are good neighbors to GRPS as well, and know what is going on with issues/accomplishments that GRPS may have.”
The event will be at The Harrison Park School, a historically significant urban education facility that has been renovated and expanded to become a state-of-the-art educational facility serving grades Pre-K through eight. In addition, Harrison offers a diverse set of programming from a hands-on curriculum paired with relevant learning activities, and the LOOP After School program. The school is also a participant in the Challenge Scholars Program.
“The night's topic was chosen as the first collaborative event because public education is critical to the success of our region," says Shaun Shira, Co-Chair of YNPN. "A robust (and successful) public education system attracts and retains talent. The opportunity to have a very interactive town hall style meeting with Superintendent Neal ensures that our opinions matter to GRPS, and will be heard.”
If you arrive before 6:30 p.m. when the presentation is scheduled to begin, you can take advantage of a tour of the newly renovated Harrison Park Elementary. After the 6:30 p.m. presentation event, there will be ample time to ask questions of Superintendent Neal regarding the GRPS system and the coming changes.
Admission: Free but
register in advance here, please.