Last year, a new policy was introduced at South Orange Middle School (SOMS) which prohibited students from carrying backpacks or bags around the school during the day. As a result, my friend, like many other students, found it extremely difficult to juggle all her school supplies as she moved from class to class. One unfortunate day, in the rush to get to class on time, she dropped everything on the crowded staircase. She lost her balance and fell, not only injuring herself but also getting reprimanded for being late. This incident highlights the very real obstacles the current policy presents to students' safety and academic performance.

The policy, which was supposedly enacted to improve hallway congestion and improve student safety, has inadvertently created more problems than it has solved. Without bags, students are forced to carry heavy textbooks, notebooks, and personal items in their arms. This often results in even more hallway clutter, as students frequently stop to pick up dropped items that were necessitated on the school supply list, which includes supplies most classes don’t even need. This supply list even included bags to carry supplies around the school, which students and families spent their money on, only to be informed they were not allowed to carry them around the hallways . The security problem could be easily negated by having students carry clear, plastic bags and backpacks, yet the administration decided that it would be “easier” to just have students carry all of their supplies. Furthermore, the lack of bags makes it easy for students to forget and misplace homework and other important materials, leading to a decline in academic performance.

Studies have shown that students carrying books and supplies weighing more than 10% of their body weight are at risk of developing long-term back and neck problems which can be heavily lessened by using bags and backpacks. Moreover, stress from managing these materials by hand can add unnecessary worry and distraction for students who should be focusing on their learning.

Alternative solutions, like setting traffic patterns in the hallways or staggering dismissal times between classes, could provide administrators with effective ways to address hallway congestion without compromising student safety and comfort. Additionally, allowing clear or mesh bags could resolve safety concerns while still giving students an option to manage their books and supplies effectively. Other schools have successfully implemented similar policies with positive results; SOMS should consider learning from these examples.

We urge the administration at South Orange Middle School to re-evaluate this policy and consider allowing students to carry bags during the school day. This small change could significantly improve students’ school experiences, academic productivity, and overall well-being.

Please sign this petition to help make SOMS a safer and more productive environment for its students by making this crucial change.