By Holli Brus
Staff writer
Throughout all high schools, a common complaint is backpacks.
Whether they are too heavy or too small or take up too much space in classrooms, backpacks never cease to be at the top of the complaint list.
Neighboring schools, such as Whitehall, Oakridge, North Muskegon, and Reeths-Puffer have implemented a “No Backpack” policy.
These policies were set in place mainly for safety risks, such as preventing students from bringing weapons or vapes to school.
Another reason is to lessen the amount of space they take up in classrooms.
Shores students don’t have to worry about a “No Backpack” policy as they are allowed to have their backpacks at all times, which is different from their middle school days when backpacks were banned and students were required to use their lockers.
Assistant principal Kent Higgs said there is no discussion of removing backpacks right noe.
He did say, however, that it could be a possible discusion in the future.
Crosstown rival Reeths-Puffer established a backpack policy this year.
“Students are allowed to bring any backpack of their choosing to and from school, but these backpacks are to be stored in their school locker,” principal Dan Beckeman said. “During the school day, students may choose to use a drawstring backpack to carry necessary school materials to their classes.”
The reason for Puffer’s new policy, Beckeman said, is to help lessen clutter in classrooms along with enforcing leaving non-school items at home.
Beckeman said he considered something that most schools don’t, the effect of the weight.
“Reeths-Puffer decided to have a no backpack rule to lighten the load of a backpack,” Beckeman said. “The drawstring packs are much lighter on our student’s shoulders.”
Although safety issues and space are a good reason to ban backpacks, the heavy weight component of backpacks is also significant.
Many Shores students complain about how heavy their backpacks are daily.
“My backpack hurts me a lot,” freshman Lauren Morea said. “Ever since this school year, I’ve had a lot of lower back pain, and my shoulders are hurting from all the weight too.”
Students complain about the weight of heavy backpacks, but are there actually any true health concerns related to the weight of backpacks?
“A heavy backpack can lead to muscle or joint problems,” health teacher Deanna Lieffers said. “It’s recommended that the backpack shouldn’t be heavier than 10-15 percent of your body weight.”
“Also, students are still growing, so when you use one strap, that can cause you to lean and, therefore, cause alignment issues throughout the body,” Lieffers said.
If Shores students are complaining about heavy backpacks and there are legitimate health concerns, why don’t students use their lockers more often?
“I don’t use my locker because it is not efficient for me in correspondence with my classes and studying schedules,” Morea said.
Another question is why are backpacks so heavy?
Junior Adrian Silva, who says his heavy backpack hurts his back often, said, “I have a lot of books in my backpack. For example, I bring a textbook home for AP World, and in Algebra, I have a lot of binders and notebooks.”
Some teachers require students to have a binder or multiple notebooks for their class. Then, multiply that by five classes, the weight can add up quickly.
Then what’s the solution for solving the issue of heavy backpacks? Should Shores come up with some backpack policy?
When surveying 146 students, every single person said Shores should not ban backpacks.
Junior TJ Habetler felt passionate about this issue.
“Shores should not ban backpacks because kids need to carry their stuff around,” he said. “There isn’t enough time for them to go to their lockers. It’s just convenient to keep your backpack with you.”
Instead of banning backpacks, sophomore Desi Burns gave some interesting alternatives.
“I think for classes that we have to carry big books we should be able to keep them in the classroom,” Burns said. “That way we won’t have to bring them home every day or carry them around, which would make everyone’s backpacks lighter.”