Updates on the New Bag Policy
Welcome back, Wildcats. As most of you are aware, string bags are no longer allowed here at Riley. Most people are confused and a little frustrated as to what this means going forward. Luckily, your resident student news team is here to help! Here are some questions you guys might have, and the best answers we can give at this time.
Q: What kind of bags can I bring?
A: Currently, the only bags you can have (without a pass permitting you to have a regular bag) are purses that are no bigger than 5x7 inches. Students beware, teachers are measuring bags, so better safe than sorry.
Q: Are lunch boxes still allowed?
A: Yes! You are still allowed a lunch box or lunch bag, but staff recommends that you keep it in your locker until lunch and return it to your locker after lunch. As someone who brings their lunch, and has for all 4 years, this is doable–it just requires a little bit more effort.
Q: Are there any alternatives to a drawstring bag that I can use?
Binders like this are still allowed (and can hold most classroom materials)
Image credit: Target.com
A: At the present point in time, the only alternative to bags are Trapper keepers (or the nice, big binders). However, in an email sent out in response to students who originally responded to the announcement that string bags are no longer allowed, Mr. Henderson wrote, “The district is working on a plan to provide clear bags.”
Q: Does a clear backpack count?
A: No. As I mentioned in the previous answer, there haven’t been many alternatives identified definitively. That being said, the policy that has been put in place is similar to those at stadiums, so the alternative clear bags that the district is working on getting right now are probably stadium bags, which are transparent vinyl drawstring bags.
Q: Was this decision made by the Riley administration team?
A: No. This is a district policy, which means it’s a decision made by the people running South Bend Schools downtown. Remember that the administration team here at Riley understands exactly how frustrating this is for all of us students and they’re trying their best to make accommodations and work with us on this issue. Please keep that in mind, and please don’t protest this decision, as that only adds more stress to the administration (and your teachers).
Q: Why was this decision made in the first place?
A: This is a district policy, and it isn’t actually new. In fact, Mr. Henderson tried for quite some time to let us keep the string bags because he knows that it makes it easier on us students. But after multiple issues, like students breaking the rules and bringing regular backpacks to class, as well as students bringing in contraband, there was little choice left in the matter.
Hopefully this clears up some of your questions. I’ll update this when we have more developments. Thanks for reading, and Go Wildcats!
