Seth Goebel

No backpacks will be allowed in classrooms beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

Empty lockers will no longer be empty next year. 

Students will be required to put their backpacks in their lockers, rather than lug them from class to class.

The main reason for this change comes down to safety. “Students could bring items to school that may be a safety issue,” Principal Tim Felderman said. 

According to Felderman with the change to this new policy, teachers also don’t have to worry about tripping over students’ backpacks allowing the classrooms to have less clutter.  

Currently, students carry a variety of items with them during the day, including their backpacks, Chromebook cases, lunch bags, practice duffle bags, and jackets.

Felderman feels that students will appreciate having the opportunity to organize their things in their assigned lockers and keep them in one location.

Felderman thinks students can benefit as they won’t be carrying around heavy backpacks and other supplies. 

Felderman also said that at a variety of job locations in Manchester, such as Hendersons and Regional Medical Center, workers use lockers to store their items.    

 “That is the way work is,” Felderman said. “In this case, you should focus on learning—not all of the extra items students carry.”

Junior Lili Shappell feels the backpack policy is not needed.

“I understand where some teachers are coming from, but we have to also understand that it will take more time in class,” Shappell said. “If a student forgets something, they will have to run out to their locker, which could be across the school from your current class.” 

In comparison, Felderman knows he has to prepare himself for any meeting he has. “I need a pencil, a pen, and a piece of paper,” Felderman said. “Students will learn to adapt.”

Junior Landon Palmer doesn’t like it. “It seems like a hassle,” Palmer said. “You are being forced to use your locker, and it cuts down on our time to get to class.” 

Junior Kaelen Miller does not like the new policy. According to Miller, “I do not like it because why would you use your locker when you can have everything in your backpack to take to class?”