For many current Norwin High School students, having their backpacks on them at all times was simply the normal way of life. Prior to COVID, however, Norwin’s policy was that bookbags were required to remain in lockers during the school day, and were simply used for carrying items to and from school. Once schools reopened with the hybrid model after the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, this policy changed. To avoid contact between students at lockers and follow government regulations regarding social distancing, backpacks were permitted to be taken to and from classes, holding a student’s belongings.
”We wanted to have as many kids in school as possible, so I permitted book bags, so kids could go straight from first period to second and so on,” said Norwin High School principal Dr. Michael Choby. “There would be less time at their lockers and less exchange of germs.”
The new backpack policy quickly transitioned into the new normal for Norwin, and many students had become used to the convenience of having their bag on them at all times.
When students and families checked the one-week look-ahead Skyward update for the school year, released on August 12, they noticed a shocking change. For the first time since before the world-altering pandemic, Norwin High School students were no longer permitted to carry their backpacks through the hallways.
The official district announcement reads:
“Students will be expected to leave book bags in their locker from 7:20 P.M to 2:15 P.M. The only exception is a small/drawstring bag to and from Physical Education classes.”
This sudden announcement caused immediate outrage for much of the student body. Some took to angry rants on Snapchat, others posted to TikTok, and others conversed about the topic to their friends. One thing was certain, however— this new policy was wildly unpopular among students.
”I don’t like it [not having backpacks] at all,” Norwin junior Benjamin Peters said.
The first day of school without backpacks forced a difficult adjustment for Peters. He and many other students had never used their lockers before, and didn’t immediately know where to report to in the morning. On the first day of school, members from Guidance and other departments were stationed in the hallways to ensure students like Peters knew their locker number and where to find it.
Additionally, many students felt blindsided by the sudden nature of the change. Most were unprepared for a school year without bags and had to rethink their daily plans. Although the change was unexpected by a large majority of students, those who attend Norwin School Board meetings were not shocked by this announcement.
“This was talked about last year… it shouldn’t have been [a surprise] if you paid attention to board meetings,” said Dr. Michael Choby. “It was approved last spring as part of our rights and responsibilities— that’s what governs students K-12.”
Despite the negative reception from students, the new backpack policy has been very popular among teachers.
“I love the policy,” said senior class advisor and AP Biology teacher Mrs. Anselmino. “I think it’s important for school safety, and not only that, it makes it easier for teachers to navigate the room without tripping over bags.”
Along with those stated by Anselmino, the district outlined many additional benefits of a no-backpack rule.
“I think it does allow for less distractions,” said Choby. “There’s less other stuff going on in terms of what kids are doing in their backpacks, or what they’re bringing in their backpacks to a science lab.”
Norwin prioritizes a safe environment for its students above all else, and the district is attempting to eliminate any potential hazards concealed in student backpacks through this policy.
Due to the controversial nature of the topic, the debate on whether or not backpacks should be permitted in Norwin hallways will likely continue for months to come. But, for now, the policy has no intention of being changed. Whether you like it or not, days of book bags in the halls are over— a bygone remnant of the earth-shaking COVID pandemic.
