Arlington County Public Schools - backpacks banned for safety?

[Anonymous]

Is Kenmore the only school that does not allow backpacks due to safety concerns? I have never heard of backpacks being banned...have I been living under a rock or what?

That seems crazy. Does APS ban backpacks after elementary school?

[Anonymous]

I think WMS didn’t allow kids to keep backpacks on during the school day but they could wear them to and from school. Water bottles also had to be clear. This was several years ago so policy may have changed.

[Anonymous]

Swanson doesn’t allow them either

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think WMS didn’t allow kids to keep backpacks on during the school day but they could wear them to and from school. Water bottles also had to be clear. This was several years ago so policy may have changed.

This. Kenmore does not ban backpacks; they go in locker at beginning of day and come out at end.

You cannot carry a backpack between classes.

Not sure of the logic but they say it is for “safety reason”.

Not like a kid can’t hide a knife, cellphone or gun on them. Maybe kids were using their backpacks as clubs or something?

[Anonymous]

I always thought it was because hallways are so crowded and backpacks make them doubly crowded?

I wonder if HBW has this policy…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always thought it was because hallways are so crowded and backpacks make them doubly crowded?

I wonder if HBW has this policy…

Zero chance. They have an open campus policy, students can just say they are heading off campus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always thought it was because hallways are so crowded and backpacks make them doubly crowded?

I wonder if HBW has this policy…

handbook alluded to not keeping valuables in backpacks outside of lockers, it would seem it is expected to keep backpacks with the student.

https://hbwoodlawn.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/09/2019-20-HBW-Handbook.pdf

I thought students never use lockers anymore because they are always too little time to retrieve items from them??

[Anonymous]

Didn’t hear anything about this at Gunston

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always thought it was because hallways are so crowded and backpacks make them doubly crowded?

I wonder if HBW has this policy…

handbook alluded to not keeping valuables in backpacks outside of lockers, it would seem it is expected to keep backpacks with the student.

https://hbwoodlawn.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/09/2019-20-HBW-Handbook.pdf

I thought students never use lockers anymore because they are always too little time to retrieve items from them??

HS kids don't use lockers. MS kids do.

[Anonymous]

Gunston has the no backpacks in class rule too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always thought it was because hallways are so crowded and backpacks make them doubly crowded?

I wonder if HBW has this policy…

handbook alluded to not keeping valuables in backpacks outside of lockers, it would seem it is expected to keep backpacks with the student.

https://hbwoodlawn.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/09/2019-20-HBW-Handbook.pdf

I thought students never use lockers anymore because they are always too little time to retrieve items from them??

That, and there aren't enough lockers for students. So I can't see how backpacks can be banned. Other jurisdictions across the country have "clear" backpack rules; but not "no" backpack rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gunston has the no backpacks in class rule too.

That’s not the same as banning backpacks. There’s not a ton of open floor space in classrooms so that makes sense

[Anonymous]

At WMS, there isn’t enough space in classrooms to have backpacks. Everyone would be tripping on the bags

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always thought it was because hallways are so crowded and backpacks make them doubly crowded?

I wonder if HBW has this policy…

I don't think any of the high schools have this policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At WMS, there isn’t enough space in classrooms to have backpacks. Everyone would be tripping on the bags

WMS is drastically under-enrolled now.