Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom: The Backpack Program at Nevin Elementary

At Nevin Elementary School, supporting students goes beyond the classroom. Principal Margie Arciba believes that when schools take care of the whole child, students are better able to learn, grow, and thrive.

Now in her second year as principal at Nevin Elementary, Arciba made it a priority to continue the school’s Backpack Program, an initiative designed to support students and families experiencing food and nutrition insecurity in the surrounding community.

“It’s a great way for our students and families to have resources that can help them with food insecurity,” Arciba shared.

Through the Backpack Program, students receive nutritious food to take home, helping ensure they have access to meals outside school hours. For many families, these resources provide an important layer of support.

Arciba emphasizes that addressing food insecurity is directly connected to student success.

“For our students, we take the whole child into account,” she said. “Whether it’s a social or emotional issue, or food insecurity, it will impact their learning—and we don’t want their academics to suffer. If they’re hungry, they’re not going to be able to concentrate.”

During a recent Backpack Program distribution at Nevin Elementary, community partners also stepped up to provide additional support for students and their families. The Ella Fitzgerald Foundation donated books and other supplies to help encourage learning beyond the classroom, while Disney provided snack packs for students to enjoy.

These contributions helped make the distribution even more impactful, offering families not only food assistance but also resources that support students’ development and well-being.

By helping ensure students have access to nutritious food and essential resources, the Backpack Program helps remove barriers that could otherwise impede learning. When students’ basic needs are met, they are better able to focus in the classroom, participate in lessons, and stay engaged throughout the school day.

“The Backpack Program helps children have the resources that will help them come to school, be present, and learn,” Arciba added.

Programs like these demonstrate how schools, community organizations, and partners can work together to support students both inside and outside the classroom—helping ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.