BackPack Press
Welcome to BackPack Press — your go-to source for uplifting stories from local schools. We’re here to celebrate education by sharing the voices of students, teachers, and staff, highlighting achievements, and connecting schools with the communities they serve. Through engaging storytelling, valuable resources, and a fresh perspective, BackPack Press shines a light on the great work happening in education every day.
Featured Stories
Subscribe to RSS Feed
At Heartwood School, celebration comes in many forms—sometimes with glowing accessories and dance music, other times with masquerade masks and formal attire. Recently, students across grade levels came together for special school dances that created opportunities for joy, connection, self-expression, and memories that will last long after the music faded.
Summer camp can be more than fun and games—it can be the first spark of a future career. This week, Wilson Talent Center launched summer camps that gave younger students hands-on experiences in Sports Medicine Training and Care & Confidence, while current WTC students stepped into mentorship roles to help guide the next generation of learners.
A trip to the national stage turned into an unforgettable accomplishment for Wilson Talent Center Criminal Justice students. Representing mid-Michigan at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, students showcased their skills alongside peers from across the country—with one student earning an impressive top-20 national finish.
MORE TO EXPLORE
Early Childhood
EARLY CHILDHOOD STORIES
At Ingham ISD Play & Learn Groups, learning looks a lot like fun. Through play, art, stories and shared experiences, young children and their caregivers are building important skills—and meaningful connections along the way.
When educators, community leaders, and partners come together, the impact goes far beyond conversation. In Ingham County, collaboration is shaping how students—and families—experience support.
For the ninth year in a row, Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program has met every national quality benchmark. Behind that recognition? Real classrooms, real educators, and real impact for kids and families.
Early childhood leaders from across Ingham County gathered at Lansing Community College for a PreK Data Day focused on improving outcomes for young learners. The collaborative event explored strategies for strengthening family engagement, analyzing student data, and expanding access to high-quality preschool through Michigan’s growing PreK for All initiative.
Early On supports infants, toddlers, and their families with early evaluations, home-based coaching, and strategies that fit right into daily life. In Ingham County, it’s a quiet but powerful system of support that starts early and grows with each child.
Special Education
SPECIAL EDUCATION STORIES
For Heartwood School students, a recent Special Olympics Track & Field event was about much more than competition. It was a day filled with teamwork, cheering, personal victories, and moments that celebrated the hard work students have shown throughout the year. The event provided opportunities for athletes of all abilities to participate, compete, and shine.
At Heartwood School, celebration comes in many forms—sometimes with glowing accessories and dance music, other times with masquerade masks and formal attire. Recently, students across grade levels came together for special school dances that created opportunities for joy, connection, self-expression, and memories that will last long after the music faded.
For students in Spartan Project SEARCH, learning goes far beyond the classroom. Through hands-on internships at Michigan State University, young adults are building workplace skills, confidence, and independence—one real-world experience at a time. Spartan Project SEARCH combines classroom instruction with year-long internship experiences to help prepare students for meaningful employment and greater independence.
Wilson Talent Center Educational Careers students recently volunteered at the Special Olympics Track & Field Day at Michigan State University, supporting athletes while gaining hands-on experience in leadership and service.
Government can feel distant when you only read about it in textbooks. But for students in Spartan Project SEARCH, a recent visit to the Michigan Capitol turned civic learning into a real-world experience. From meeting with State Senator Sarah Anthony to observing activity inside the Senate chamber, students gained a firsthand look at the many people and moving parts that help serve communities across Michigan.
General Education
GENERAL EDUCATION STORIES
Summer break should not mean worrying about where the next meal will come from. Through Michigan’s Meet Up and Eat Up program, children and teens 18 and under can access free meals at participating locations across local communities—no registration or paperwork required. Michigan’s summer meal programs are designed to help bridge the nutrition gap while school is out.
Professional learning doesn’t stop after onboarding. Recently, members of Ingham ISD’s Pupil Accounting team attended the Michigan Pupil Accounting & Attendance Association Spring Conference to strengthen knowledge, build connections and bring back insights that support schools and students across the region.
When school leaders work together, student voices grow stronger. Representatives from Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, and Shiawassee Counties recently gathered through the CARES Collaborative to meet with legislative officials and discuss education priorities, school funding, and the future of public education across the region. The CARES Collaborative—Capital Area Regional Education Strategy—was formed to strengthen regional advocacy efforts and ensure schools have a stronger, more unified voice in policy conversations.
What if learning about careers felt more like solving real-world problems? The Michigan Youth Future Flight Challenge is giving students across the state the opportunity to design sustainable flight solutions, work alongside aerospace mentors, and discover future possibilities in STEM—all while competing as part of a fun, free virtual challenge. Hosted by the Women of the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (WAIAM), the four-week experience helps students build skills in engineering, business, creativity, and collaboration.
Shalonda James-Garza recently appeared on FOX 47’s Morning Blend alongside community partners to discuss why accessible mental health support in schools is critical for helping students thrive both emotionally and academically.
Career Prep
CAREER PREP STORIES
More Stories
With a theme focused on the power of asking “What If?”, the 2025–26 school year launched with messages of possibility, perseverance, and partnership—from keynote speakers to inspiring educators across the region.
For many students, learning experiences extend far beyond the classroom walls.
Recently, students from the Beekman Center spent a day at Jackson® Field™ for a Lansing Lugnuts School Day experience — creating memories filled with cheering crowds, ballpark snacks, mascot visits and smiles shared with classmates and staff.
What happens when business leaders step into the shoes of school leaders? At Waverly High School, “Principal for a Day” is more than just a title—it’s a powerful way to bridge classrooms and careers.
Students in Ms. Angela Wanger’s class put heart and hustle into every dish of their early Thanksgiving feast—chopping, baking, serving, and celebrating the joy of learning together.
