Tote bags are SO last season!

The battle over bookbags, backpacks, tote bags, string bags – you name it – has been going on for years. Students will always try to find a way to justify the use of a bag, and many have gotten away with it in the past – and still continue to.

The fact remains that HCPS policy has forbidden all types of bags, tote bags and string bags included. The policy indicates that a student may not carry around a bag that can fit a book inside.

Sophomore Ashley Myers, a former tote bag carrier, is among the students who are struggling with the stricter enforcement of the policy. Myers said she would prefer to have the tote bag because when she does not have it, she “must go to her locker multiple times in the day” to exchange materials for her next class. The tote bags have served as a convenience to the students who don’t want to stop at their lockers to get materials, especially when classes are on different floors throughout the day and staircases are crowded.

Along with the convivence totes bags have had for students, they have also served as a form of expression. A simple tote bag to some might have some meaning and even tell you about a person. From the places they’ve been to the things they like, some students use tote bags as an accessory revealing part of their personality.

Alyssa Weber, who has also had to put up her tote, thinks that it’s unfair the tote bag rule is now being enforced. She says not only because we had this right last year, but we didn’t do anything to cause the strict enforcement. “Girls as a whole have certain necessities that we need to carry around with us on a daily basis, and not being allowed to have bags can limit and take away our privacy,” she says.

Even though this is a county policy, Principal Mr. Joseph Collins says he sees it as being an equity issue. He says, “What came up last year, was that many of the male students were like ‘Okay, Mr. Collins, we can’t have a bookbag, but they can have these purses that they’re putting things in.’ So, to me it was really about being fair.”

perspective, there are safety concerns with people having a bag with them throughout the day and being able to carry something they should not have with them. “I will tell you that often times if students were searched for vapes or other things, and they had those bags, they would keep it in them. So does that mean that is going to solve that problem? No, but it might help with it,” he explains.

Nevertheless, Mr. Collins is always one to support students making their voices heard. “If students want the policy changed, then they should petition the Board of Education,” he explained, “and I will even help them get their argument together so they sound intelligent and sound like they know what they want.”

He reinforced that he is available to help students understand the process at Board meetings so they can argue their point strategically. “I do think if it was presented correctly, I think someone might listen,” he added.

On that same note, Mr. Collins is able to see both sides. “I see the merits of [the policy] but also, I see students who go from floor to floor and from east to west and then have to get out of the building at the end of the day and it causes a lot of stress for them,” he acknowledged.

For now, the policy remains: No bags that can fit a book are permitted. Good thing fanny packs are back in style to carry all your small essentials!