At back-to-school time, there is something quite mundane that can be easily overlooked when it comes to managing on-board student behavior: book bags.
Considering the amount and weight of many text books, backpacks can be very strenuous on young, developing bodies, which the Huff Post points out. The paper talked to a local chiropractor who said he sees an increase in younger patients when school starts who are complaining of back pain. He attributed some of this to “poor backpack” usage.
Where I live southwest of Los Angeles, it’s quite common to see students walking to and from school pulling an airline-luggage type bag on wheels. Many parents, and the kids themselves, prefer pulling heavy books rather than carrying them. Makes sense. But, student ergonomics aside, what effect do these luggage have on school bus operations?
A safety concern inside school buses can center on book bags or backpacks that aren’t secured and can easily bounce around during a bumpy school bus ride. Dare I ask what might happen during a crash? Backpacks filled with heavy books can be bad enough, but what about the rolling luggage with hard plastic edges and wheels? What kind of safety concerns do these present?
Student supervision and disciplinary guidelines in the National School Bus Specifications and Procedures states that “Student is permitted to carry only objects that can be held on his/her lap.” Certainly it’s not a good idea for students, especially the younger ones, to hold book bags on their laps during the ride. But what’s the reality? The National Specifications and Procedures also says that “student shall not carry hazardous materials…into the bus.” Doesn’t a heavy, unrestrained, hard-cased book or roller bag potentially constitute “hazardous materials?”
Does your district have a policy for what students are allowed to bring on board the school bus? Is there a storage policy for book bags and back packs? Are rolling carriers allowed? We’d love to hear your feedback.
