Students Are Posting Photos Of Their Clear Backpacks And They Aren't Happy
Students are furious after their high school began enforcing mandatory clear backpacks.
Nov. 18 2019, Updated 2:39 p.m. ET
As part of new security measures introduced at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, students received transparent backpacks as they returned from spring break on Monday. Students will now only be allowed to bring clear backpacks onto campus, with the superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, Robert Runcie, saying in a letter to students and parents:
"When students return from spring break, clear backpacks are the only backpacks that will be permitted on campus."
"While we cannot change the heartbreaking and senseless act of violence at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, by working together, we can change the future."
The letter went on to explain that students would also be issued an identification badge and that faculty will be required to wear their badges at all times while on campus. The district was also considering equipping security with handheld metal-detecting wands and installing permanent metal detectors at entrances.
Unsurprisingly, students have some mixed feelings about the increased security measures. Jack Macleod, 16, shared the lengthy walk through security to get onto campus.
"It's seriously like the TSA," Macleod told Buzzfeed. "Getting into school today was really no different than any other. I didn’t bring my backpack, just three folders, a pen, a bag for lunch, and a water."
"They let me walk into campus — no problems. I feel as though today was more of a hassle than anything, but this is not what the peak of the security at MSD will look like. We’re told we will get metal detectors and staff will get metal detector wands."
It comes as a surprise to no one who has experienced such intense unwarranted policing that students were equally unhappy. I mean, I can't imagine the strikes that would have started at my school if this had become a new rule we all had to follow.
Others saw an opportunity to crack a joke.
While some are trying to turn them into a trend.
Others, such as Jeff Kasky's ninth grade son, Holden, objected to the change before it was enforced.
"My school is starting to feel like a prison," student Sarah Chadwick wrote before her return.
Many didn't think the policy changes would enhance the security of students.
Meanwhile, this student is putting his new backpack to excellent use.
What do you think of the backpacks?
