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
Students jumped into summer with Wilson Talent Center’s Healthcare Heroes and Intro to Automotive camps, exploring real-world skills and discovering exciting career possibilities.
Students and staff at the Beekman Center ended the week on a high note with a playful field day full of bubbles, parachutes, and inclusive activities that highlighted community, creativity, and connection.
The Wilson Talent Center community came together to honor four staff members whose combined service spans over a century. With heartfelt tributes and a custom farewell song, their legacy was celebrated in true WTC fashion.
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
Students and staff at the Beekman Center ended the week on a high note with a playful field day full of bubbles, parachutes, and inclusive activities that highlighted community, creativity, and connection.
The Annual Family Picnic at Heartwood was a joyful celebration of togetherness, bringing students, caregivers, and staff together to share food, fun, and meaningful connection.
Graduates of Ingham ISD’s SAIL program walked the stage with pride, confidence, and bright futures ahead. Their next chapters include jobs, internships, and continued growth in the community.
What if every student had the tools to connect, no matter how they communicated? At Waverly Community Schools, that vision is becoming a reality.
The next chapter starts here. Spartan Project SEARCH kicked off the 2025–26 school year by welcoming new interns and their families at a special event on the campus of Michigan State University.
General Education
GENERAL EDUCATION STORIES
What happens when young artists are invited to tell their stories—with total freedom of color, texture, and truth? Something powerful.
What if every student had the tools to connect, no matter how they communicated? At Waverly Community Schools, that vision is becoming a reality.
Avery Beach, a standout from Wilson Talent Center’s Educational Careers program, has been named to the LSJ Girls Bowling Dream Team and honored as Co-Bowler of the Year. Her dedication to both academics and athletics makes her a role model on and off the lanes.
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.
Career Prep
CAREER PREP STORIES
More Stories
Students jumped into summer with Wilson Talent Center’s Healthcare Heroes and Intro to Automotive camps, exploring real-world skills and discovering exciting career possibilities.
Students and staff at the Beekman Center ended the week on a high note with a playful field day full of bubbles, parachutes, and inclusive activities that highlighted community, creativity, and connection.
The Wilson Talent Center community came together to honor four staff members whose combined service spans over a century. With heartfelt tributes and a custom farewell song, their legacy was celebrated in true WTC fashion.
Aaron V., a Wilson Talent Center graduate, marks 30 years with The Meridian Company—rising from student apprentice to Master Plumber and community role model.
