BULLHEAD CITY – When the Bullhead City School District governing board agreed to restrict backpacks for middle and junior high school students this upcoming school year, some parents questioned how their children would carry pens, pencils and personal hygiene items. Although lunch boxes, notebooks and small purses are already permitted, anonymous donors have stepped up with another option: small zippered cases.
The school supply cases easily fit into three-ring binders, or can be carried separately. In addition to pens and pencils, the solid fabric can discretely hold students’ health items, such as feminine hygiene products.
School district superintendent Dr. Carolyn Stewart said that the soft cases are large enough to hold the things necessary for the classroom but, unlike backpacks, too small for illegal contraband such as weapons or alcohol.
“While many parents applauded the restrictions on cellphones in the classroom and backpacks on campus, we know that others expressed concerns about how their children would carry items to and from school,” Stewart said. “This was a positive solution proposed by community members to help students, parents and staff.”
From the donations, BCSD has ordered enough of the cases for every student in grades five through eight enrolled in the new school year. Some students already have comparable cases, which are allowed.
A pilot program last semester requiring backpacks to be parked in classrooms showed that virtually all contents – legal and illegal – had nothing to do with school. Textbooks no longer go home with students at night. Under the full policy adopted by the board to minimize classroom disruptions and campus discipline problems, student cellphones will be turned off and parked all day in locked and secure cabinets. Backpacks will still be allowed for students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, but prohibited for middle and junior high students. Cellphone restrictions are already in place elsewhere in other Mohave County and Arizona schools, and backpack limitations have increased in other parts of the country.
Some students locally, regionally and nationally have used their backpacks to hide items ranging from alcohol, tobacco and drugs to weapons. Even clear backpacks are no longer a deterrent, according to other districts nationwide.
BCSD’s school year begins July 29. The new policies have a handful of exceptions, such as students whose cellphones are used for diabetic monitoring.
