LHS Backpack Policy Discussion by Julie Dennehy Eberhardt

2024-10-16 21:22:49 UTC

I do not think we should remove the current policy. 1- the items that I have seen from some backpacks, is disturbing. 2- we do not have the space in most classrooms. We are struggling just with students and the the desks. 3- I think that having the option for some staff to have them and others not, I think is creating an issue that we don't have right now. This issue then falls onto the 3 safeties and 3 admin we have. They already are dealing with A LOT, why add in another issue?

2024-10-16 21:23:21 UTC

As a science department we spoke about keeping the no backpack policy. This was in support of those working with chemicals on a daily basis, and that it would be difficult for one teacher in the department to enforce alone.

2024-10-16 21:25:35 UTC

Giving Teachers to make the choice for what is right in their room or even as a department is fine with me. For the cell phone policy, we had the stop light so students knew which room allowed cell phones, allowed with limited conditions, or disallowed them. We could do the same with the bookbacks, a simple laminated sheet of paper to let students know which rooms the bags are and aren't allowed.

I don't mind the policy, I see pros and cons to both sides. I will follow whatever the leadership team decides.

f370348 — 2024-10-16 21:27:33 UTC

2024-10-16 21:31:05 UTC

I think we should keep the current backpack policy, but also inform students that this also applies for free period/homeschool kids in the library. They could argue that when they're in the library for free period, it isn't a classroom and they are not receiving instruction but I believe they should still follow the current backpack policy. Students usually put their backpacks away when we tell them to but we do receive some pushback from certain kids.

2024-10-16 21:41:45 UTC

I don't have strong feelings either way. We have not been consistent in enforcing the rule. I'm not in favor of having rules we are unwilling to enforce. If we decide to keep the rule it needs to be consistent and remove the ambiguity that we were given with the prior admin team (go back to only chrome books cases and pencil bags - no string bags, mini-backpacks, cross-body bags, large purses, etc.) Admin would need to address those staff members unwilling to enforce the rule. We'd need to have staff buy-in and make an effort to re-establish the expectations. If we scrap the rule, we should have clear signage for those teachers who wish to disallow bags in their rooms and admin needs to be ready to support teachers who want to keep bags out of their rooms.

2024-10-16 21:51:27 UTC

I don't think backpacks are any worse than a student's massive stack of Chromebook case, textbook, notebook, pencil pouch, mini backpack sloughing onto the floor. I have a really small classroom, and I honestly think a backpack would be better than them playing Jenga on the floor next to their desk.

It might actually help save instructional time in the classroom if kids could load up their backpacks and actually come prepared. But, if we're not enforcing it, it doesn't really matter that we have a rule about it.

I don't know if I like the idea of teachers getting to choose who has/doesn't have backpacks. It seems like that inconsistency will confuse kids, but as an adult, I like the idea of being able to make that call for my students.

Stick to policy!

2024-10-16 21:59:46 UTC

No backpacks -- invites all kinds of shenanigans and I don't want to trip a million times AGAIN this year.

Treat it like a plane flight

f361612 — 2024-10-16 22:00:59 UTC

My instinct is to say treat backpacks like airlines do. If it can fit under your desk entirely, it is fine. Just like on a plane, the aisles must be clear at all times. In addition, unless you are retrieving something from the bag, you must keep it stowed at all times.

I fully support other teachers says no, just like with food or drinks. We should let it be a teacher/classroom policy. But I find it distracts from my classroom more than it aids it to have to police backpacks.

2024-10-16 22:07:26 UTC

I understand the library is different than a classroom, so keep that in mind. I would LOVE for backpacks to not be allowed in classes due to safety reasons however, it is difficult to enforce for our free period and homeschool students and students do not come back after having to put them away. For me in the library, we have so many homeschooled students who only take one class like band or higher language classes. It is incredibly difficult for them to understand that they need lockers for their one class here at Lathrop. As for our free period kids, they come and go so frequently, that it almost gunks up the halls with me sending them back to put their backpacks away and most of the time they never come back so I am unsure how effective of a strategy it is. Anyway, long story short, the students feel as if they are entitled to keep their backpacks because they are "free" agents of the school and don't have to follow school rules since they are not receiving instructions and despite the rules and contracts that they agree to and have to sign to even have an excused period in the library. It is personally not worth my time when I could assisting students with actual library stuff and not chasing down backpacks and hoods. We also have a larger space compared to other classes and more variety of free/home school students, so I understand that I am the outlier here.

2024-10-16 22:13:00 UTC

In favor of keeping current policy school-wide. If teachers elect to follow the policy on a room-by-room basis, kids may struggle with consistency and remembering who has what. I worry about trip hazards. Science rooms are big, yes - but when kids circulate during labs and backpacks are not under desks as they should be it causes concern. I think school-wide is the way to go.

2024-10-16 22:14:11 UTC

I had similar thoughts as Fred. Although I understand the policy and do enforce it, I find the bags that are neither Chromebooks nor backpacks hard to manage. I have to consistently review the chart. It leaves ambiguity and students take advantage of this. I would be in favor of either not having the policy (one argument is that the backpacks make a great place to store cell phones) or making it more restrictive.

2024-10-16 22:18:34 UTC

When a student does not bring a backpack to class, they instead bring piles of "things" which can be a bigger problem than the backpack in which they would otherwise carry the items. The exceptions to the rule also seem inconsistent. For example, I've seen string bags, which are allowed, that rival a backpack in size. I would support allowing each teacher to make their own rule.

I agree with the current policy, no backpacks in the classroom.

2024-10-16 22:23:17 UTC

TLDR; Stick to Policy

2024-10-16 22:24:49 UTC

We should stick to the current policy and attempt to maintain consistency. Backpacks can be a huge problem, especially with first-year students. I understand that allowing teachers to have autonomy within their classroom is typically welcomed, but removing a school-wide mandate such as this will make it more difficult to enforce for those who have ample issues with students hiding contraband such as vapes and other items that they wouldn't otherwise be able to sneak so easily into class. Plus, not to speak on behalf of anyone else, but my classroom is already cramped enough as it is-- I don't want to add more battles to navigating the classroom physically, nor do I want to open up a dialogue between myself and my students regarding backpacks in class.

2024-10-16 22:26:35 UTC

I don't have strong feelings either way. I like the policy, but if it isn't consistently enforced, why have it?

If we change the policy, a teacher should be able to restrict backpacks/bags in their classroom and expect administrators to support their decision.

2024-10-16 22:27:36 UTC

I get why some folks are for the policy, but I do not see it being enforced. I support any teacher or department who wants to keep the policy, too. But it's silly, I think, to allow giant purses, massive trapper keepers, computer bags stuffed to the max and yet not allow backpacks. Also, there should be no excuses for not having a pencil or etc. if you can bring your backpack. And not that I care what other schools do necessarily, but we are the only ones with this policy.

I want to add that while I see many folks saying they enforce the policy, I see A LOT of backpacks in the halls (when I take the time to pay attention). I'm not throwing shade; I rarely notice them myself (unless I catch them coming in my room), especially as I'm running to the bathroom or copy room between classes, etc. It's just not what I'm thinking about. However, Mr. Morrison is pretty impressive at enforcing policies, and I stand by him after my 5th & 6th period classes. Just the other day, he talked to no less than 8 (!!) kids about backpacks between 5th & 6th period. I just want to say that if everyone is really behind keeping this policy, it needs to be truly enforced, and we should no longer allow a million little exceptions!

Mostly ambivalent, tentative Yes to Backpacks

2024-10-16 22:36:45 UTC

I have quibbles either way. I see it mostly as clutter+safety vs. potential tardiness. I think backpacks would give a little more equity at the cost of trip hazards and opening time for misbehavior. I usually err on the side of equity. I've had no trouble enforcing present policy, as students in my classes don't push against it. Instead they show up late from a school-wide commute, especially if held for necessary academics. I'm sure some wasted that time, but others are trying. I think this most impacts the kids who are staying late to work out issues and improve their performance. I hate that missed time, especially if they have to get a tardy pass at the office, but I also see the need for clear walking space. I certainly don't want another knee surgery. I want a practical balance but I'm also happy to go with either decision. I mostly care that student expectations are clear.

2024-10-16 22:49:55 UTC

No backpacks, classroom is crowded enough not to mention the tripping hazard, and I have already had knee surgery once, I don't want any more.

Keep the policy

2024-10-16 22:53:54 UTC

Backpacks take up too much room and create too much clutter in my classroom. It would be both inconvenient and hazardous to have 30+ backpacks in my classroom in addition to all the students. They have lockers and know how to use them. Teachers who are not consistent about following school policies (backpacks, phones, headphones, hoods) have created the challenge: not the need for backpacks

Best to keep it

2024-10-16 23:25:22 UTC

I don't hold an inherent disdain for backpacks and if my classroom was larger I would probably have no qualms. But the fact of the matter is that my classroom is a sardine can of students and when even a few of them bring bags its noticable. I'm benefitting from a rule that's been instituted and I cannot advocate it's removal. My only exception; if they bring them to my smaller extension class at the beginning of the day, it's not a big deal. I'd enforce it in all my other classes though.

Covid Days...... didn't seem like a problem.

2024-10-17 05:57:23 UTC

Back in covid days we let kids carry their backpacks around. Not all carried them, many did. It didn't seem to create too many problems. I'm perfectly ok with dropping the policy. I'm probably one of those guilty of not enforcing the policy. It's just never been a priority for me. Lots of other fish to fry, I guess. And also..... just saying..... for many street kids, foster kids, abused kids.... the backpack is their security blanket, their safe space, their ultimate sense of self containment because the rest of their life is so undependable. Taking away those kids' backpack has always felt wrong to me, always. But, that's just my two cents. I'm always good with whatever and will give it my best shot stacking hands moving forward.

Best to keep it for safety. Science and art classrooms especially are inherently dangerous and adding tripping hazards from students belongings adds even more for us to worry about. Yes, we can have our own separate policies, but then it becomes a daily battle of "but my other teachers" and/or creating more discipline issue for admin to sort out. I support keeping the rule - very few students need to have that much stuff with them.

f353143 — 2024-10-17 16:01:28 UTC

I have no strong feelings either way.

2024-10-17 17:13:34 UTC

If we keep our policy, I just feel that as a building, we have to be consistent. If a student says their locker is broken, send them to Counseling to get another. I also feel that there are some classes that are so small that tripping hazards are real. We don't need any teachers or students getting hurt because of backpacks.

Let's Pick Our Battles

2024-10-18 03:44:41 UTC

Can we just all agree to make decisions that make people's lives easier and not harder? In a time of rampant staff reductions, I favor whichever decision lightens the most load for the most staff. Better to remove workload than add to it at a mid- accademic year point. I'm not aware of what precipitated the reevaluation of the existing rule, but if the rule causes more problems than it solves, it should be changed. Similarly, if changing the rule may cause more issues than the rule did originally, better to leave it alone.

Remain (keep policy as-is)

2024-10-25 01:18:05 UTC

Lockers seem silly if there is nothing in it.

2024-11-07 00:01:05 UTC

agree with the current policy