Students at Central Junior High can no longer haul backpacks into class. A similar policy at South is five years old, while Southwest and West have no ban.
Ninth-grader Jesse Felton expressed opposition Wednesday to a policy banning backpacks from Central Junior High classrooms by hauling belongings in a black plastic crate.
"They took it away in English class," said Felton, who thought 15 to 20 other dissenters lugged textbooks in buckets, laundry baskets or crates.
Central Principal Ted Juneau found their protest amusing, but had the containers confiscated.
He said enforcement of the rule was intentionally lax the initial two weeks of school. On Wednesday, backpacks were officially banned from classrooms. There is no set punishment for violating the rule.
"It really just isn't about safety," Juneau said. "It's as much about holding down theft and loss ... and cutting congestion in the halls."
Another factor influencing his decision was research suggesting brimming packs could harm students' backs.
"There's no need to be carrying all those books into class," Juneau said.
South Junior High Principal Russell Blackbird said his school imposed a similar policy five years ago.
"The first year was a little difficult," he said. "Some parents weren't supportive. It's now a standard expectation."
He said the policy at South cut theft of items from unattended backpacks, made it easier to walk in crowded halls and dealt a blow to students who brought weapons, cigarettes and other inappropriate items into school.
Students at Southwest and West junior highs are allowed to carry backpacks into classrooms.
"Our policy is they can carry a bag as long as it can fit underneath the desk," said Matt Fearing, assistant principal at Southwest.
None of 10 students interviewed at Central was supportive of the new rule.
Eighth-grader Brian Garland, toting an enormous backpack, put it simply: "I think it's pretty stupid."
Another eighth-grader, Cynthia O'Kelly, said the backpack policy didn't make her feel safer at school. A student intent on doing harm to others can use weapons pulled from a pack hanging in a locker, she said.
"If a kid really wants to bring a gun, he can wear loose pants or enter the school shooting," added Aber Miller, an eighth-grader.
"It's a greater nuisance than help," said seventh-grader Samuel Carley.
-- Tim Carpenter's phone message number is 832-7155. His e-mail address is tcarpenter@ljworld.com.
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