Unlike Dora The Explorer, you won’t find WRMS students carrying their backpacks around. WRMS has a strict no backpack policy. Students may only carry backpacks before and after school. Throughout the day backpacks remain in students’ lockers.
WRMS Head Principal Mike Haire said the reason us middle school students can not carry backpacks is because it can cause small injuries. Haire said, “Middle schoolers body isn’t fully developed and heavy backpacks can lead to musculoskeletal issues such as back pain and poor postures. Students carry binders and trapper keepers, they are smaller than backpacks but can still cause issues like tripping or hiding unnecessary items similar to a backpack.”
Students claim carrying a bag is easier than carrying a binder/trapper keeper because it is bigger and can carry more books/supplies. This makes it so that students that need to use the restroom or other things during passing time do not have to go to their locker to avoid being late to class. Students may have classes that take longer to get to due to the construction, and it can make them late to class as a result of crowded hallways, blocked lockers, and jammed lockers. 7th grader Sophie Fawl was asked if she prefers carrying a backpack or a binder, “I prefer backpack because it carries more stuff.” Additionally, students would only be carrying backpacks for four minutes during passing time. If students were to be carrying their backpacks for longer periods of time, this may cause musculoskeletal issues, but four minutes will not.
Students who have injuries may go to school with a broken leg, arm, etc. As a result, they might use wheelchairs, crutches and slings. 8th grader Andrew Peterson was on crutches and said, “It’s mostly so I don’t have to carry my stuff around and I can move around with my crutches.”
This policy has not been changed for a long time. WRMS Head principal Mike Haire also said, “The BLT would not consider changing this policy in the future. The benefits and necessities of being in a student’s locker are far greater than the convenience of carrying them to class.” The backpack policy should be changed for students that play multiple sports and are injured and for students just in general, we wouldn’t have to have to carry so much instead we can carry our backpacks.
