Requestor
Matthew Malnati
Requested Information
I would like to request all documentation related to the newly implemented policy of denying students the right to carry backpacks to classrooms in middle school. I specifically wish to see any correspondence related to this statement released by Lisa Smithson at Bonnie Branch Middle School (BBMS):
"The decision to adjust our backpack expectations was made after discussions with the BBMS Administrative Team, the BBMS Leadership Team and other HCPSS middle school principals."
This would include emails, memos, and any other communication internal to BBMS or anywhere within HCPSS. I wish to see any internally generated documentation on the impact it would have on likely damage to school equipment, especially laptops required for class.
I also want to see documentation supporting this statement in the same email from Ms. Smithson. Specifically I wish to see the supporting evidence that backpacks create a safety issue.
"After a lot of consideration, the overall consensus was that backpacks in the classroom have the tendency to create a safety issue. Our class sizes can go up to 33 students and can have anywhere from 1-4 adults in the room; the inclusion of backpacks in the classrooms present issues with clear walkways in classrooms."
Further, I wish to review the supporting evidence for this statement:
"Additionally, we have found that oftentimes students keep items in their backpacks that are unnecessary for instruction, and those items sometimes become a distraction to the classroom environment."
Related to the unnecessary items, how was it determined that those items would not simply be carried in the bags students ARE allowed to carry? Why are cinch bags that CAN fit inside a desk not allowed? Please provide all justifications and documentation to support this statement:
"Finally, students are permitted to carry a small purse, fanny pack, or belt bag with them throughout the day for small personal items. The bag should be small enough to fit inside of a student desk. We do ask that students not use string bags/cinch bags as they can present a tripping hazard."
I wish to review all evidence that the likely outcome of the backpack policy will reduce horseplay in hallways as indicated in this statement:
"We also anticipate that since students' hands will be occupied during transitions to class, that we will notice a decrease in horseplay in the hallways. That said, we know that any change in procedure can raise questions and create challenges, especially when students have multiple items to carry throughout the day."
Lastly, I also wish to see all data related to incidences of damage (and causes) to school laptops from the 2024-2025 school year (in spreadsheet format if possible) and the same data as-available for the 2025-2026 school year.
"The decision to adjust our backpack expectations was made after discussions with the BBMS Administrative Team, the BBMS Leadership Team and other HCPSS middle school principals."
This would include emails, memos, and any other communication internal to BBMS or anywhere within HCPSS. I wish to see any internally generated documentation on the impact it would have on likely damage to school equipment, especially laptops required for class.
I also want to see documentation supporting this statement in the same email from Ms. Smithson. Specifically I wish to see the supporting evidence that backpacks create a safety issue.
"After a lot of consideration, the overall consensus was that backpacks in the classroom have the tendency to create a safety issue. Our class sizes can go up to 33 students and can have anywhere from 1-4 adults in the room; the inclusion of backpacks in the classrooms present issues with clear walkways in classrooms."
Further, I wish to review the supporting evidence for this statement:
"Additionally, we have found that oftentimes students keep items in their backpacks that are unnecessary for instruction, and those items sometimes become a distraction to the classroom environment."
Related to the unnecessary items, how was it determined that those items would not simply be carried in the bags students ARE allowed to carry? Why are cinch bags that CAN fit inside a desk not allowed? Please provide all justifications and documentation to support this statement:
"Finally, students are permitted to carry a small purse, fanny pack, or belt bag with them throughout the day for small personal items. The bag should be small enough to fit inside of a student desk. We do ask that students not use string bags/cinch bags as they can present a tripping hazard."
I wish to review all evidence that the likely outcome of the backpack policy will reduce horseplay in hallways as indicated in this statement:
"We also anticipate that since students' hands will be occupied during transitions to class, that we will notice a decrease in horseplay in the hallways. That said, we know that any change in procedure can raise questions and create challenges, especially when students have multiple items to carry throughout the day."
Lastly, I also wish to see all data related to incidences of damage (and causes) to school laptops from the 2024-2025 school year (in spreadsheet format if possible) and the same data as-available for the 2025-2026 school year.
Date Received
Status
Submitted