School News

When tragedies like the Haiti earthquake occur, Americans show they are a compassionate people. They have been giving generously, even during a time of hardship here.

But there are quiet tragedies taking place in our own communities that don’t garner attention but are, perhaps, no less heartbreaking.

At Olympic View Middle School, teachers notice each Monday when certain students are sluggish, inattentive, or otherwise not performing at their usual level.

Those students have just spent a weekend going hungry.

For various reasons – poverty, absent parents, dysfunctional families or other causes – there’s no food in those students’ homes.

On school days, the students are fed breakfasts and lunches through the free and reduced fee meal programs. On weekends, they simply don’t eat.

OV principal Nancy Coogan learned of a program offered at other schools that have the same problem.

And “Packs for Kids” was launched.

Each week, backpacks are filled with nonperishable food items – canned tuna or chicken, macaroni & cheese, raisins, fruit cups and other nutritious items that are simple to prepare or need no preparation.

Students pick up a backpack in the school office on Friday and take it home, returning it empty on Monday.

Launched earlier this month, the program is just getting off the ground. Educators have identified about 18 students so far who are in need.

Coogan suspects the need is actually much larger. Six years ago, she said, 21 percent of OV’s students qualified for the reduced fees for meals program; that number has climbed to 36 percent this year.

District-wide, it has grown to 47 percent, said district spokesman Andy Muntz.

It has grown steadily over the past few years; in 2007, just under 40 percent were in the meals program.

And, Muntz said, the real number of students who qualify may be much higher.

“Some kids, especially in high school, are eligible but don’t even apply,” he said.

Expecting the program to grow, too, OV’s educators are reaching out to the community to assist in filling the backpacks.

Coogan has contacted a couple of dozen churches, service clubs and the Mukilteo Food Bank. Individuals have volunteered, as well, to “adopt” a backpack.

Even though “Packs for Kids” is set up to ensure privacy and respect for participants, OV students are aware of the program and enthusiastic about it.

Before its launch, Coogan invited about 15 students at random to discuss it.

“Every one of them was very interested in helping other people,” Coogan said.

Among them was OV student John Monargent who a few years ago could have been a recipient himself.

“My mom was struggling,” Monargent said. “She’d feed me and my sister and go hungry herself.”

Teachers, counselors, students, parents and others in the community are coming forward, Coogan said.

She’s especially pleased that OV students are so supportive, and feels it’s important that they develop compassion for those in need.

“We need to develop habits of empathy in children so they understand the importance of paying it forward,” Coogan said.

Monargent agrees.

“Kids everywhere feel more appreciative when they know that someone cares,” he said. “It can change people dramatically.”

Anyone interested in helping should contact Cheryl Howe, the parent liaison for the program, at 425-356-1308.

Coogan knows the program, unfortunately, will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.

“I am passionate about this program and helping kids with limited resources over the weekends,” she said. “For us to do nothing would be a travesty.”