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
Mac & cheese bowls, banana pudding, and real-world experience? At Wilson Talent Center, students are serving up more than just lunch—they’re dishing out career readiness on wheels.
From scholarships to art competitions, students in the Business & Risk Management program at Wilson Talent Center are proving that preparation and creativity go hand in hand.
Families, community members, and local partners filled the halls at Wilson Talent Center’s Year-End Student Showcase—an evening packed with talent, innovation, and career-ready skills on display.
MORE TO EXPLORE
Early Childhood
EARLY CHILDHOOD STORIES
When Abi Worthington enrolled her son in the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), she discovered more than a preschool—she found a place where her child could thrive.
Parents are discovering innovative ways to entertain and educate children by transforming recycled materials into creative projects.
Play & Learn Groups offer free, hands-on learning sessions for young children and their caregivers—creating a nurturing space for early growth, discovery, and connection across Ingham County.
With the expansion of PreK for All, more local families now have access to high-quality preschool—giving young learners the tools they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
Ingham ISD and McLaren Greater Lansing have partnered to bring Book Nooks to waiting areas—providing families with comforting access to books, support, and lifelong literacy skills.
Special Education
SPECIAL EDUCATION STORIES
Families and students from across Ingham County gathered for a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Game Night focused on fun, friendship, and shared experience.
CJ, a student in Ingham ISD’s SAIL program, has delivered a daily weather forecast every single day since 2020—proving that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.
Students with IEPs or 504 Plans explored future career and education pathways during a hands-on Transition Fair at LCC’s West Campus.
Leslie Middle School’s peer-to-peer initiative builds friendships and fosters empathy by bringing students together through shared activities and conversation.
Ingham ISD’s Transition Programs were featured on FOX 47’s Morning Blend, showcasing how students with IEPs are gaining independence through hands-on learning, job coaching, and community engagement.
General Education
GENERAL EDUCATION STORIES
On May 7, 2025, Ingham ISD celebrated School Nurse Day by recognizing the dedicated nurses and assistant nurses who make a difference in the lives of students each and every day.
Colleen Rockafellow highlighted the work of MiFamily Engagement Centers at a statewide education conference, sharing how meaningful partnerships between schools and families can transform student success.
School leaders from across the region came together to explore arts education, network with peers, and share best practices during the Ingham Area Spring Principals’ Network event.
In the wake of tragedy, Mason High School students are turning grief into action through a student-led initiative aimed at promoting safe driving habits among their peers.
Ingham County seniors explored careers, college options, and community connections during the annual Senior Springboard event—designed to help them confidently take their next steps after high school.
Career Prep
CAREER PREP STORIES
More Stories
Mac & cheese bowls, banana pudding, and real-world experience? At Wilson Talent Center, students are serving up more than just lunch—they’re dishing out career readiness on wheels.
From scholarships to art competitions, students in the Business & Risk Management program at Wilson Talent Center are proving that preparation and creativity go hand in hand.
Families, community members, and local partners filled the halls at Wilson Talent Center’s Year-End Student Showcase—an evening packed with talent, innovation, and career-ready skills on display.
On May 7, 2025, Ingham ISD celebrated School Nurse Day by recognizing the dedicated nurses and assistant nurses who make a difference in the lives of students each and every day.
