No backpacks, no string bags

[Anonymous]

Do all APS middle schools outlaw these? DC has never been allowed a backpack but could use a string bag to carry stuff. This year those are banned too, so the kids have to carry their stuff (laptop, notebooks, water bottle, etc) by hand- and they were each given a small pencil pouch.
If there was concern about the size of the string bags, why not just buy a standard size of those vs shelling out for the pencil cases? Or am I missing something as to why they’d prefer to have them carry all their stuff?

[Anonymous]

APS middle schools don't have laptops. The classrooms are packed to the gills and the bags on the floor are a tripping hazard.

[Anonymous]

My son attends middle school and came home yesterday mentioning this policy, but i haven't seen anything official about it in any of the emails from the school. I guess they're supposed to use the lockers a lot more? I'm honestly confused how they're supposed to manage this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son attends middle school and came home yesterday mentioning this policy, but i haven't seen anything official about it in any of the emails from the school. I guess they're supposed to use the lockers a lot more? I'm honestly confused how they're supposed to manage this.

Middle school kids have been doing this for years. You don’t have to be confused, they figure it out just fine

[Anonymous]

Get them a fabric binder with a zipper, like a Trapper Keeper. It basically functions like a bag because they can zip stuff inside and has a handle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get them a fabric binder with a zipper, like a Trapper Keeper. It basically functions like a bag because they can zip stuff inside and has a handle.

Like this:

https://a.co/d/9e2NwTd

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son attends middle school and came home yesterday mentioning this policy, but i haven't seen anything official about it in any of the emails from the school. I guess they're supposed to use the lockers a lot more? I'm honestly confused how they're supposed to manage this.

Middle school kids have been doing this for years. You don’t have to be confused, they figure it out just fine

My oldest kid was allowed a backpack all years, second had a backpack in 8th grade. I don’t think it’s common for MS kids to carry all their stuff by hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son attends middle school and came home yesterday mentioning this policy, but i haven't seen anything official about it in any of the emails from the school. I guess they're supposed to use the lockers a lot more? I'm honestly confused how they're supposed to manage this.

Your kid can’t carry an iPad, a binder and a water bottle?

[Anonymous]

Why can’t we just kick kids out of school who misbehave? Why punish the 99% who would happily follow rules, especially if the rules had real teeth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son attends middle school and came home yesterday mentioning this policy, but i haven't seen anything official about it in any of the emails from the school. I guess they're supposed to use the lockers a lot more? I'm honestly confused how they're supposed to manage this.

Middle school kids have been doing this for years. You don’t have to be confused, they figure it out just fine

My oldest kid was allowed a backpack all years, second had a backpack in 8th grade. I don’t think it’s common for MS kids to carry all their stuff by hand.

That's the policy at the majority of APS middle schools. It's very common here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can’t we just kick kids out of school who misbehave? Why punish the 99% who would happily follow rules, especially if the rules had real teeth.

Because that doesn't stop people from tripping on backpacks in crowded classrooms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get them a fabric binder with a zipper, like a Trapper Keeper. It basically functions like a bag because they can zip stuff inside and has a handle.

That only works if your kid has teachers that don’t require their own separate binders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son attends middle school and came home yesterday mentioning this policy, but i haven't seen anything official about it in any of the emails from the school. I guess they're supposed to use the lockers a lot more? I'm honestly confused how they're supposed to manage this.

Your kid can’t carry an iPad, a binder and a water bottle?

He has different folders/notebooks/binders for different classes. Not to mention music and stuff for band. Of course it's not impossible, just seems like it would be frustrating to keep track of everything and I'm envisioning things getting left behind. Can't the backpacks live draped over the backs of the chairs??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get them a fabric binder with a zipper, like a Trapper Keeper. It basically functions like a bag because they can zip stuff inside and has a handle.

That only works if your kid has teachers that don’t require their own separate binders.

You can argue with me, but this is how all the kids do it at our middle school. It works just fine.

Many of the fabric binders also have a pocket on the front for an iPad or extra notebook.

[Anonymous]

People are so hysterical about this and I don't get it. Pre-covid it was totally normal to not carry around a backpack. We all did it as teens and I did it in a much larger school building and yes back then we only had 3-5 minutes to pass between class. Your kid will adapt. They'll learn their schedule and when they can make a locker stop and when they can't. Stop inserting yourself into the middle of it and assume your kid will figure it out. Ask them what they need from you to maybe help and then just take a step back.