Jaziel Padron, 3, does a science experiment during the back-to-school event at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Teacher and educational liaison Sarah Smith talks with patients and family members during the back-to-school event. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Emily Hatfield, 4, plays instruments at the music station at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Mykena Gaipa, 8, makes funny faces with teacher Sarah Smith at the back-to-school photo booth. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Everett Stevens, 3, decorates a picture frame for his back-to-school photo. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Alex Aldinger, 17, poses for her back-to-school picture. Alex will be a senior at Reeths-Puffer High School this year and is being treated for kidney failure. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Jaziel Padron, 3, and Everett Stevens, 3, play musical instruments together. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Emily Hatfield, 4, poses for her back-to-school photo. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
The kids work their studies in around medical treatments with teacher and educational liaison, Sarah Smith.
This week, students-to-be picked up school supplies at the children’s hospital and enjoyed a variety of curriculum stations hosted by Hope College. The kids participated in math, art, science, music, reading and writing activities. They also got their first-day-of-school photos taken and printed for mom and dad.
“It’s nice that kids can come here because they have open houses that they are missing at their own school systems,” Smith said. “Here they are able to get a backpack, different donated school supplies, and free books.”
Smith said she’s excited to kick off the Club TCB (taking care of business) with the new school year at the hospital.
“Club TCB (gives) them a great distraction while they are here, but also keeps them engaged in some normal routines,” Smith said.