Parent & Family Programs - Backpack Program
Eaton Intermediate School District created a Family Backpack program as part of a parent involvement model. The backpack program was initially developed in 1997 to reach out to the many families that do not have the time to commit to school functions and activities. These interactive backpacks contain an age appropriate DVD for the family to watch together along with microwave popcorn, a discussion guide and book that goes along with the topic. Topics in the backpack include bullying, building friendships, problem solving, dealing with peer pressure, learning to get along with people who are different, along with information for parents on preventing under-age drinking. These topics reinforce Michigan Model lessons that are taught in the classroom.
Each classroom in a school building would have a backpack that is taken home by each child for a few nights. The program is best started at the beginning of the school year to ensure that each child has the opportunity to take the backpack home.
The backpack program is currently running in 21 school districts in 34 elementary schools. It is supported with funding from Safe and Drug-Free Schools.
