Students told no tote bags

[npmommie]

OP I would have your dd keep the Vera for other use and if she really likes that style and look, there are knock off bags that resemble Vera bags, I have seen them in Stop and Shop and also in CVS, she could get a nice tote for probably $15, looks like a Vera but not as $$$$

I have a few real Vera bags, but one day I was grocery shopping and saw the fakes, and got a backpack style one, I have had people ask me where I got my vera bag....LOL

 

[puffkin]

I graduated in 1998 and from Middle School on we weren't allowed to carry bags so it isn't a new thing. Main reason was the bags took up too much space in the aisles and hallways. We had 3 minutes to change classes so most of us could only go to our lockers before homeroom, lunch, and end of day. It was such a "tragedy" then...but looking back it really wasn't a big deal. I had a small purse that I carried all my pens, pencils, calculator, etc. The boys usually had a binder with a pencil pouch inside or just used their pockets.

I would save the Vera bag for other events and just buy a cheap knockoff to use at school if you are worried about theft.

 

[Piecey]

Help me understand why the classrooms are too small for the kids to bring in their backpacks/tote bags? We always carried our backpacks/totes in school. Grant it - 20 years ago but what if you don't have time to stop by your locker to change books so you have 1-3 period books with you. Are you supposed to carry the books, pencils, notebooks, paper in your hand?

Thanks for the explanation.

Like others have said, we carried multiple periods of supplies with us.

Our school had 2 schedules but you only had to carry 2 classes worth of books at a time. Small school though (total of 2 hallways) so we didn't need a lot of time to get to our locker and to a classroom. I think we got 4 minutes, but students who went to bigger schools would definitely need more time just because of the size of the school... so I could see why they'd have less locker breaks.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I can understand that there are safety issues going on and they can't use the bags or backpacks.

My girls are in 2nd and 4th grade and they hang their backpacks on the back of their chairs. I really don't see how they take up much space.

 

[ceecee]

In my dd's middle school (6th grade) they are not allowed to have any bags backpack or otherwise.

You need to carry 3 periods worth of books if you dont' have time to get back to your locker.

All bags are to be locked in the students locker prior to homeroom and don't come back out until its time for lunch or time to go home.

Same here...if you have time to go to your locker, great. If not you carry what you need. We have a large school and with 800 large bags in the classrooms and hallways it would be a nightmare! DD has the Vera tote (called the "Vera")which is way bigger than a backpack which is why she has it.

 

[sumertime]

I can understand that there are safety issues going on and they can't use the bags or backpacks.

My girls are in 2nd and 4th grade and they hang their backpacks on the back of their chairs. I really don't see how they take up much space.

With budget cuts, we are putting more and more kids into one classroom. In a class with 30+ kids, even putting backpacks on the backs of chairs can take a bunch of room.

 

[brittsmum1998]

I can understand that there are safety issues going on and they can't use the bags or backpacks.

My girls are in 2nd and 4th grade and they hang their backpacks on the back of their chairs. I really don't see how they take up much space.

Do they switch classes for each subject? My dd through 5th grade, (elementary ) they didn't switch so there was no need to carry books around, they were in the same classroom except for one "special" per day. They would hang their backpacks on the hook outside the class w/ their jackets.

 

[princessmom29]

With budget cuts, we are putting more and more kids into one classroom. In a class with 30+ kids, even putting backpacks on the backs of chairs can take a bunch of room.

That is exactly what is going on. I have 30-36 kids in a class a classroom that was designed to hold 18-20. I have built in shelves along one wall, and all bookbags go there, otherwise we cannot move in the room. In a science classoroom we have to be able to move to do demos. labs, ect and bags on the shelves is the best solution I have found yet.

 

[Poohbug]

With budget cuts, we are putting more and more kids into one classroom. In a class with 30+ kids, even putting backpacks on the backs of chairs can take a bunch of room.

I agree with this statement. My son's 4th grade classroom has almost 30 students in it. This is the same classroom built for 20 or less students. It is getting really crowded in the classrooms. Now the fact that so many students are in one classroom is a whole other topic.

 

[momxx5]

Yes, the classrooms are built for 20 students yet there are close to 30 per class. If they want to use the overhead they have to use a child's desk and he has to sit/share with friend.

The children do not have their own lockers but there are large metal boxes(for lack of better word) were everything is "thrown into". I have seen it and its been this way since all 3 of my older boys went thru middle school. It was much worse with band instruments until the band director put foot down so instruments are kept in band room cubbies.

Each child has 1 cubbie in their 4th period class(end of day). It is to hold all their books, etc that are not needed overnight. For the day, the kids carry all their books and use a large binder w/dividers.

 

[momxx5]

Update....she brought her VB tote and kept it out in the metal storage. By the end of the day it was in middle of floor as everyone grabs their stuff tossing others' belongings aside. Oh the joy.

Learning that some teachers allow homerooms to keep backpacks in their rooms.

I'm going to talk to homeroom teacher next week to see how everything works, why different from room to room, etc.

 

[poohbear luvs grumpy]

Not to take away from the problem that your daughter is having op but after reading this thread I was having a very "Clueless" moment. Alicia Silverstone had a similar problem. Funny thing is I never even watched the show the whole way through just tidbits when it reran on tv. Wow am I ever showing my age right now. Let us know how it turns out for those of us who may have to deal with the same issue in a few years.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

our middle schools have a policy -- NO BAGS IN CLASSROOMS. PERIOD! They are either left in the locker or out in the hall on the floor up against the walls.

 

[MrsPete]

Help me understand why the classrooms are too small for the kids to bring in their backpacks/tote bags? We always carried our backpacks/totes in school. Grant it - 20 years ago but what if you don't have time to stop by your locker to change books so you have 1-3 period books with you. Are you supposed to carry the books, pencils, notebooks, paper in your hand?

Thanks for the explanation.

I graduated 25 years ago, and no one carried a book bag. In fact, I would've died before carrying a backpack. How geeky! (Times have changed.)

I carried a clipboard with all my papers on it (and a pen in the "clip"). Some students used a binder notebook for all their classes. I carried my books on top of that. I had six classes a day and used a locker; I don't remember it being a problem. I do remember that every day I'd hurry to copy down my math problems onto paper so that I could work them later without having to carry the book home. I carried a small purse sometimes.

Of course, we didn't have consumable workbooks for math and foreign language -- those are standard now.
My calculator was a TI-55, "the thing" for students in those days, but it was only about 1/3 the size of my daughter's graphing calculator.
We didn't have individual binders for every class.
We had lockers in the gym in which to store our gym clothes.
And -- the biggie -- we didn't have cell phones, ipods, and multiple other goodies. I never had a water bottle or a soda with me the entire time I was in school, and I don't remember it being a problem.

 

[MrsPete]

why would a teacher suddenly make a rule like this now )

Sometimes things aren't a problem at the beginning of the year, but they BECOME problematic as the year goes on. In this case, it's likely that early in the year all the kids were leaving their backpacks outside . . . until some enterprising girl brought in a tote bag and the teacher didn't say anything. One bag wasn't a problem. So other girls saw this as a way around the backpack rule, and they all started carrying tote bags as if they were purses. Suddenly, with tote bags all over the room, the teacher realized that those tote bags weren't really purses and they WERE a problem. So she made a rule.

 

[Anne34]

In my dd's middle school (6th grade) they are not allowed to have any bags backpack or otherwise.

You need to carry 3 periods worth of books if you dont' have time to get back to your locker.

All bags are to be locked in the students locker prior to homeroom and don't come back out until its time for lunch or time to go home.

It is the same for our Junior high, but the high schoolers are allowed to bring their bags -- don't know why -- their classes are more crowded.

 

[SandrA9810]

i've been to schools with both rules. I've had schools with 4 classes a day, schools with 6.

lockers aren't always in a good spot for going to between classes. The one school i couldn't use a bookbag, was a fairly small school and it was easy to get to between classes. I only carried books for other classes if i had homework to do. And only took books home that i needed.
When i started driving i used to keep half my books with me and half in the car till after lunch. We had off campus lunch, so it wasn't an issue to go out to it. I also didn't use a locker.

Bookbags are now seen as a priveledge because so many kids abuse the rules, like games, cell phones, and other things that should be kept out.
But i do believe there should be some sort of secured storage for things. Or at least kept stored in cubbies in the classroom, so the kids can keep an eye on their stuff.

 

[bumbershoot]

I graduated 25 years ago....Some students used a binder notebook for all their classes.

I graduated 23 years ago...Trapper Keepers were the best! They still make them, actually, but I don't think they are as nice as they used to be. I bought one for DH...his mom would never buy him one b/c they were too expensive. I thought he deserved one.

 

[sk!mom]

I graduated 23 years ago...Trapper Keepers were the best! They still make them, actually, but I don't think they are as nice as they used to be. I bought one for DH...his mom would never buy him one b/c they were too expensive. I thought he deserved one.

Sorry to hijack OP but I had to comment on this...

I love that you bought him the Trapper Keeper. Several years ago, when DD was playing with her Pez collection, DH mentioned how he always coveted those as a kid and his mom would never buy him one. I was shocked, I mean I thought I grew up poor but here was further proof that DH was downright deprived- he never had a Pez DD and I bought him a Garfield Pez the next day. He still keeps it in a dresser drawer.

 

[NYCDiane]

All excellent points and now I understand better the reasoning.

Now I have to figure out how she can use her bag to carry all her stuff and not have to worry about theft or damage.

Thanks again for perspective.

I would advise her not to bring the Vera bag to school if she can't lock it in a locker. Why do they have cupboards instead of lockers?? What if their coat gets stolen or something?

Maybe you can find her a cute little tote to use for her school stuff and have her use the Vera bag for weekends or sleepovers or other outings.