Backpacks are essential tools for students to transport educational materials such as textbooks, notebooks, stationery, and, especially, their Chromebooks. The current policy at St. Joe prohibits students from carrying their backpacks to class to prevent tripping hazards and to avoid students bringing their phones into the classroom. While these reasons are valid, the policy itself may be causing the very problems it aims to address.

Students are required to bring their Chromebooks (which are needed for most classes), a binder or folder, and any additional materials they might need, in order to minimize trips to their lockers. As a result, each classroom ends up with numerous stacks of books and folders that need to be stored without disrupting learning. Many students opt to place these materials on the floor next to their desks, creating a tripping hazard for both students and teachers. If students were allowed to keep their backpacks, they could store their extra materials in them and hang the backpacks off the backs of their chairs, thereby alleviating this issue.

Regarding concerns about backpacks being used to sneak phones into class, it is true that monitoring phone use is challenging. However, if students were to sneak their phones in their backpacks, it would be easier to spot a student reaching into their backpack behind them, making it more manageable to enforce phone policies.

We urge you to sign this petition to support our cause.