South San ISD bans backpacks, joining other area school districts

Lexie Elizondo, 4, refuses to join the rest of the pre-kinder students as her mother, Claudia Chavarria tries to coax her on the first day of classes at the newly reopened Athens Elementary School in the South San Independent School District, Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. Athens in one of three schools that were reopened in the district that also includes Kazen Middle School and West Campus. The district spent nearly $3 million in improvements at the schoolsl.

Nearly 10,000 students attend classes in the South San Antonio Independent School District. Starting Monday, they no longer will be able to bring a book bag.

Following the lead of other school districts around the city, including nearby Southwest ISD most recently, South San ISD recently announced that backpacks and large purses will not be allowed on its campuses. The policy, announced in a social media post, also includes sling bags and messenger bags.

Students still may bring smaller bags to school, but those bags need to meet new requirements.

Small bags and clutches must be 5.5 by 8.5 inches or smaller, while clear bags may be 12" by 6" by 12". Students also may bring 12" by 12" 1-gallon clear freezer bags or smaller. Those students involved in extracurricular activities necessitating backpacks must put them away inside designated areas, the district added.

Southwest ISD's own policy took effect this week. The district said the move was to "focus on academics and to reduce any potential distraction and concerns."

South San ISD officials did not state what motivated its policy.

For more information on the designated areas where book bags may be kept, parents are asked to contact their home campuses.

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