After multiple different decisions and a back and fourth debate on whether or no backpacks should be aloud in school the decision was finally made to allow them the rest of the year. With only allowing backpacks at the beginning of the year and not giving out lockers, students got very comfortable having everything they could need on them instead of stopping somewhere every class to get it out of a locker. Switching from only backpacks to only lockers left a lot of students angry and led to a big debate of whether we should have them or not. After a lot of miscommunication and student-teacher arguments they were finally allowed to be carried again along with the option to use a locker if they were given.
The Phoenix was able to talk to Principal Kirk Amman about the situation and get some answers to the entire debate. Lockers were brought back for two reasons; “One – we are remodeling the middle school and space is limited. We also do not have lockers on the top two floors to give every student a working locker. Whenever a school does renovation, there has to be some flexibility on how we do things. Two – with COVID issues continuing, it is best not to have students congregating at lockers when possible,” said Amman. With this being the reason backpacks were brought back do not expect to have them next year, seeing as the middle school should be done with renovations and the school will go back to having three floors opposed to two.
Having backpacks in class can also be a major concern for some cases. Gun control and violence control is a big reason but taking away backpacks isn’t always a solution to that because there is always the argument of students, staff, or adults bringing them in through clothing or other things. Another major concern would be the availability of space in classrooms. “Students having backpacks in class can be a challenge. People can trip over backpacks in the rows – this happens more than people realize. Having them put in a corner or at the front/back of the room may work best if the class is decent size,” said Amman.
Everyone has there own opinion on the backpack situation but no one has been able to fully agree. So whether you are for or against backpacks it is looking like they will be used the rest of THIS school year and if you’re not graduating this year get ready for it to possibly change again.
