backpacks
As parents, students and staff know, the weight of our children’s backpacks is an ongoing issue. Over the years, Dr. Elster has discussed this with teachers, the PTA and the SLT, with an eye toward finding practical solutions. It was agreed that teachers and parents need to work together to make the backpacks lighter, by both choosing lighter backpacks and contents and by reducing the amount of unnecessary supplies and papers being carried around. Thank you so much to the parents, teachers and staff who have given thoughtful input on these issues.
LOCKERS/STORAGE: Lockers are not a workable option for MS54.
LOCKERS/STORAGE: Lockers are not a workable option for MS54.
- The installation of lockers has been fully researched. The basement does not have enough room for 800 lockers. When hall space was measured elsewhere, it was determined that there was insufficient width to allow for the locker, a person standing at/using the locker, plus passing traffic. Other side issues came up as well, such as the unworkable idea of kids using them smoothly with just 3 minutes to change classes, and the possible issues around security and pest control, but it is the spatial logistics that ruled them out.
- One classroom – 706 – has lockers inside it that were paid for and installed long ago by a community-based organization that used the room after hours. Unfortunately, that room now has no space left for other storage, shelving, bulletin boards or display space. All who have used the room find in-room lockers to be a poor use of space and have said that kids do not use them in a way that alleviates any of the backpack weight.
- Cubbies are still available in 6th grade classrooms; they fell out of use over the years, as kids were reluctant to leave even the most seldom-used items behind.
- 7th grade teachers have offered to let kids store things in their closets at night, where they will be safely locked up, if they do not want to carry them home and back.
- Lunches and coats should be removed and left in the classroom in the morning.
Why Are Backpacks So Heavy?
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Tips for Making Backpacks Lighter
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Text books are kept at home, so they are not contributing to backpack weight. Actual contributing factors are seen to be:
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