I'm a 7th grader at Whitefish Bay Middle School, and every day presents a challenge due to the current policy that prohibits 6th and 7th graders from carrying backpacks during school hours. This rule does not apply to the 8th graders, who are allowed to use backpacks as they have been grandfathered into the system. For us, carrying all our resources from class to class is a struggle, leading to disorganization and a lack of efficiency in our learning process.

The administration argues that allowing backpacks would create clutter and disorganization in classrooms. However, which is more disorganized: students struggling to juggle books, binders, folders, and other learning materials in their arms, or students who can keep their belongings neatly contained in their backpacks? We juggle a multitude of materials every single day, and it is quite challenging to find and keep track of everything when they’re all carried separately.

Allowing backpacks could improve our school experience in several ways. It could enhance organization and efficiency, as students can have all of their materials at their fingertips, ready for use. The ability to pack supplies in one place would immensely reduce stress. Additionally, backpacks can come with compartments for organizing different supplies, thus reducing the likelihood of creating a messy space.

Furthermore, not carrying backpacks creates inequities rooted in availability and ability. While 8th graders enjoy the privilege of using backpacks due to a grandfather clause, the rest of us grapple with more materials and resources without them. This inconsistency in policy impacts our middle school experience, highlighting fairness issues when all students deserve equal convenience and opportunity.

We can work ergonomically with the administration to determine ways to minimize obstruction in classrooms, whether it’s clearly marked space for backpacks or specific guidelines on how and where they can be stored during class. The potential benefits of reconsidering this policy far outweigh any minor inconveniences that might arise.

Let’s make life easier and more organized for 6th and 7th graders at WFB Middle School. Please sign this petition to urge our school administration to revise the current backpack policy to support student success for all grades.