That would be so hard for students exspecially H.S. who have to get between classes that sometimes (alot) are frequently on the opposite side of the school from the last class. My 16 yr. old son says he doesn't have time to even go to the bathroom most times. But the backpacks get so heavy to be lugged around all day & it is a good place to "hide" things. I don't know what the solution to this could be but maybe someone should check into it. I never had a backpack in my days of school, but I managed without to much difficulty. Maybe we had more time inbetween our classes to get to our lockers & stop in the restroom if needed. Just an idea

Many schools in Milwaukee do not allow backpacks....or even purses...for the reasons stated in the article. You think that's just school supplies in there?! Try makeup, hair supplies, clothing, cigarettes (yes, both kinds) candy, shoes, food, ...and now, drugs and weapons. Some packpacks are huge and take up floor space in the classroom. They are like having luggage all over the floor. They were meant to make taking books to and from school easier and protect them from the elements.....not to be a "security blanket" so kids could carry all their "stuff" with them all day. It isn't even healthy to be carrying such weight on their backs all the time. Have you seen how big some of them are....and loaded!! It worked effectively in other districts and it can be done in others. They have become status symbols....the make (some are very expensive, like their shoes)....the size, color. Just another expense for some families, too. Kids always whine at change!!

Some schools have compromised. The students can have backpacks, but they must be clear.

They still have lockers in school, don't they? Perhaps a solution to carrying everything around in a backpack all day would be to put the afternoon books, etc in one's locker and carry only what is needed for the morning and vice versa in the afternoon. Backpacks would be lighter and not so bulky as to take up as much room if full. They are efficient for carrying books and supplies between classes, but such to do in Greendale? Is it necessary?

When I went to MFHS, I had no problem making it across the building between classes. It's called plan ahead and carry the books you need for next few classes.
The issue about them being a stsus symbol, please, that was probably the argument with trapper keepers.

That being said, we don't live in Milwaukee, so it is safe for our kids to bring backpacks. Our fine students of Menomonee Falls deserve whatever will make them successful.

I know it's become a popular thing, these backpacks...unfortunately, it's also becoming popular for some students to carry contraband in them. So, it's really a case of the few ruining it for the rest, as is often the case...all it takes is one person abusing something before it's banned.

That being said....when I was in school, we didn't have backpacks. We had lockers. I'm assuming the students still had lockers. We had 5 minutes between classes - at times we had to get from the first floor to the 4th floor, so...it took a little time. What we did was carry the book(s) for the next class(es) with us.

Keep in mind that the school is also looking at possibility of lawsuits. Can anyone here tell me that if their child was injured or killed by a student with a gun, they wouldn't file suit against the school for "not doing something to prevent this from happening"? Well...that's what they're trying to do....

Since it has become rather a trend for a disgruntled student to come into school waving a gun around, the school has to do something to protect its students - as well as the school itself.

Would we rather go through the expense of metal detectors at all entrances of the schools? The school has to do something - or risk injury and/or death to people inside the building, and in return, risk getting sued because of it.

Banning backpacks and asking students to carry a couple of books between classes seems to small requirement to combat a growing deadly issue.

Do people really believe a student determined to carry contraband NEEDS a backpack to do it? We may as well instill a ban on coats, sweaters, bulky clothing, etc. I know for a fact Waukesha West is filled with good kids, and if this were a concern, Waukesha schools as a whole would ban them. I would like to see this over turned as it keeps the kids organized. After all, they will be carrying them in College, and isn't that what they are preparing for?

aren't the school books digitized. give everyone a tablet or Nook and put their textbooks on that. Helps the stress on the back and the stress of admin worrying about contraband.

@MFalls Girl...That would definitely make sense. However some of the teachers still prefer using the text books.

Last year my son was expected to submit his homework digitally, making it necessary to have a flash drive available at all times. So he got a laptop for Christmas, thinking it would be good for College as well. It was great, as he just had his laptop to lug around. This year some of the material is available in text only, so the laptop sits and he is back to carrying around all of the books and binders.

Heh...we ARE beginning to border on the ridiculous here....Bottom line, though, is what we want is safety for our children, yes? Of course, any student who wants to bring a gun onto the premises will find a way to do it. Banning backpacks is a deterrent - but it's not a solution. It's easy enough to stuff a gun inside one's underpants, as someone mentioned above...determination is a powerful incentive for anyone who is of that mind...

So what is the answer?? I personally don't like the backpacks - I think they encourage students to stuff half their lives in them, and make them too heavy, and they will end up with back problems later in life (which ultimately everyone will be paying for via health insurance...)... That being said, banning them isn't going to stop violence in the schools. If someone wants to shoot someone, they're going to find a way to get that gun in there. I see advantages of backpacks, but I also know that we didn't need them when we went to school in past years. They're not a necessity. Student safety IS, however, a necessity. If banning backpacks will deter even ONE shooting...it's worth it.

there are other ways to protect student than banning backpacks... there are many other places on a persons body to hide a gun/ drugs... kids these days aren't stupid... if they really wanted to protect students, they would have metal detectors/ police enforcement/ security at the schools doing locker checks randomly/ bag checks before entering the school... there are other ways to protect students... i have been that high school student that had to run from one side of a big school to another in 5 minutes to get to class on time... it is impossible to go to your locker to get things for the other class/ go to bathroom and still get to class on time... if backpacks are eliminated, there will be more tardiness, and it still wouldnt eliminate the danger that is brought into the school since students can still wear baggy clothing, and hide the "danger" on themselves...

I beleive that they should have the right to use backpack!. There are a number of students who actually do NEED them, due to a medical problem or just being more convienent and organized.
When I was in High School I didn't have my locker close enough that I could go back and forth to it.
As for carrying purses why should they not... Where do you think there going to keep there personal stuff in????
To me it sounds like people are living scared with life.
I say don't disrubt the way a student goes to school......instead why doesn't the school place a medal detector by the doors???

Boy, this sure exploded with comments over some dumb backpacks. You milktoast parents want to make your kid's lives so easy they'll never have any challenges in life.

Again, I'm not for or against having backpacks, but back in my days at MFHS:

(1) I had no problem with having to lug my books around.
(2) Was never tardy because of it.
(3) Just happened to appear the honor roll the entire time.

I have not been in school for 25 years but I didn't carry a backpack around school - just to and from school. I went to my locker in the morning, got all of my books and supplies for the morning classes, hit it at lunch to put those back and then get my stuff for the afternoon classes. I don't remember it ever being a problem. As time goes on, there will not be as many paper books since more schools will be evolving and moving to online so they will just be carrying some notebooks and a laptop or tablet.

I see a big hubbub about nothing.

My personal opinion is: close the bloody schools. Give every family that doesn't have a computer a computer and pay for their internet server. Put mandatory education courses on-line; thereby cutting costs and increasing safety, removing the undesired associations with peers and adults working in the system. Bring them into sterile testing in mass quarterly or as needed. In most instances the home schooled children are doing better without all the drama and trama.

We had a no backpacks and no jackets rule when I was in high school 20 years ago in the Chicago burbs. I don't think it's a big deal. Maybe if West didn't have the rampant drug problem that it has it wouldn't be such a concern for the admin. Drugs and weapons go hand in hand unfortunately.

My daughter could never make it to the waiting school bus on time, going from her last class to her locker and then to the bus. If the buses would be required to wait for a time period which would allow the students time to return to their lockers, I would be for a no backpack rule; because the weight of carrying all those books placed a toll on my children's backs, which showed up years later.

Safety, my foot. Is a backpack at the student's feet any more of a trip hazard than a pile of books that can be kicked and scattered? As for the contraband, drugs will fit into a pocket. A gun will fit into a pocket. Are cargo pants and large pockets the next thing for a ban?

BAN THE BACKPACKS.
People need to realize that our societies (and schools) change, and in most instances, sadly, it is not for the better. Think of the teachers who worry about what the next day will bring...will they end up in an emergency room? Think about the majority of students who are afraid to go to their schools and may skip school because they are afraid to go. Think about the principals who wonder if they will have to deal with a student uprising. This is the reality for these folks. I went to school in the 60's and 70's at OCHS. It was in the main a enjoyable experience. No need to worry about whether there's going to be a kid carrying a gun or other weapon.
We didin't carry backpacks back then, we had our lockers to use and 4 minutes (YES four minutes!) between classes. We were able to do it. Kids now should be able to do it as well. If I were a parent of a student going to school today, I would be first to advocate banning backpacks.
I have not forgotten disabled students.There should be provisions that meet their needs of course.
I'm betting anyway that most of the kids arguing against the ban have something to hide anyway. Yes, drugs and other small items can still be carried on a kid anyway, but banning backpacks is one more way to cut this possibility of hidden contraband,.
But C'mon kids: Grow a spine, You can deal with carrying books in your arms and dealing with the time between classes. Others can do it, and have done it in the past you can too.

Our schools do not allow backpacks during the school day. I do not hear the kids complaining about that. Lugging home all these heavy books is a pain not to mention that it is not good for our kids backs. Our schools are looking into going to ebooks for class/home. This sounds like a much better solution to me. No worries about lugging all these books around, no worries about carrying them home, the kids can access them at school, home, anywhere for that matter. No worries about having to go to their locker to get their books for the next class either. I know not every school can afford this, but it is the waive of the future. It i also great for our environment - less books means not having to cut down as many trees (or at least that seems logical).

I used to have to carry my personal items in a clear purse type container when I worked at a dept store years ago. I see they still use them today so they must be working. Someone should invent a backpack that is clear so that all items could be seen. The kids would have a better way to carry their things and the school could have a better handle on the issue of safety and backpacks. Yes, I know you're saying they could still find a way to hide small things even in a clear back pack, but as a previous person noted, drugs etc can be hidden in a pocket.

Dick: more power to you and your schools. Congrats on that. i am saddened by the fact that real books are not used as much. There's nothing like the feel of a book in your hands as opposed to a hard metal device. But that's once again how society is changing. I completely agree with schools heading that way if it makes the school experience safer for students.

Ban CELL PHONES. Uniforms mandatory and all materials should stay in your desk so the TEACHER/SCHOOL Can finish teaching you & instill the the values morals and responsibilities that have been neglected...funn they didnt ban backpacks after studies proved they lead to scoliosis/sway back etc...

Are you kidding me? There is time to switch out binders in your locker, but pretty much only if you classes are extremely close (chance) or before lunch. Even if that was the case, I'd still be lugging around around 3 textbooks that I need for study hall and my classes throughout the day plus a calculator, pencil pouch, 2+ binders, snacks, 2+ notebooks, regular books to read when there's down time, and loose leaf paper. If anyone can think that banning backpacks wont make student go insane then they're just not remembering how much some of us really have to carry in a day.

I have two students at MFHS. They are allowed to carry backpacks, but the backpacks have to meet certain size requirements and fit under the desks. Those that bring too big of ones are sent to their lockers to get rid of them and are not allowed to carry them. I feel they are necessary. Passing time is 4 minutes and the hallways are very crowded, there is not usually time to get to their lockers in between classes. If everyone was carrying their stuff in their hallways it would be a nightmare. Just ask the kids who attend the high school. It's also all dependant as to where your locker is. You have the same locker all four years of high school and some are not in convenient easy to get to locations.

Plus, I must add, my middle school banned backpacks. Let me tell you how that went. Basically, by the end of the first month, our binders were disgusting--dirt was all over them, as we had to put our things on the dirty floor during each class. The sight of kids kicking their pencil pouches that had fallen to the floor was normal; they did not want to have to put all of their things on the floor and pick up the pencil pouch again. Time and time again kids dropped all of their things and were late to class because they lost time to picking their belongings up. I remember the terrible feeling of almost dropping my things so much that I then had to sprint until I got to my class whilst balancing as best as I could. Overall, having to carry your things is one of the biggest inconvenience ever.

BAN THE KIDS!!!! You people are to funny! They don't need them in between classes but I don't care one way or the other, some are right if the kids want to bring a gun, drugs, smokes, etc they will & don't need a backpack for it. It should be a school's choice PERIOD.

They have trapper keepers which can hold a lot in between classes. Our middle school kids use those.

I went to WHS last year as a senior and let me tell you with schools adding more necessities that you need for one specific class, the amount of time in between classes being shortened, the distance between certain lockers and certain classes and making sure you don't forget something in your locker, makes it a NECESSITY to have a back pack. Most teachers don't allow students to leave their class to go to their locker if they forgot something, or even to use the bathroom. Their argument is they should have gone during passing periods. Well the passing period is 4 minutes long, my teacher kept the class after the bell rang, I need to go to my locker that is on the other side of the school to get to my class downstairs. So all of that in around 3 minutes is crazy.
My school during my sophomore year banned sweatshirts and jackets because we had an incident where a student brought a gun to school in his sweatshirt. Let me tell you, the next day after the ban, every student wore their sweatshirts. Just because one person is stupid and does something wrong, doesn't mean you can punish the rest of the students. In the middle of winter and the school not wanting to spend much on air conditioning and heating made classes on the outside of the building freezing. The ban lasted all of a week because they realized students were not going to respect it. I feel as for backpacks, get a metal detector and a scanner or the school cop to search the bag, kids wont risk bringing it in then.

i dont think they should be able to. its more of the safty concerns of why they shouldnt. with crime all around and getting worse im glad they r banning wearing backpacks around the school. WHAT WEST HIGH SCHOOL SHOULD BE MORE CONCERND ABOUT IS THERE DRESS CODE..... you got students more so the gurls wearing really short crap and looking like sluts. gurls with short shorts with the private areas showing threw there shorts. its not right. they need to focus on the dress code and start craking down on theses gurls wearing these type of clothes. and they wonder why they have problems with the young guys theres. dont wear what your wearing and you wont have a problem. JUST CUZ IT ZIPS DOESNT MEAN IT FITS!!!!!!! get clothes that fit gurls... as far as the babck packs i dont think they should. but as far as the trapper keepers i dont c why they dont allow those.

I agree - uniforms would solve the problem but the parents probably wouldn;t allow it. A lot of the parents today are as bad as their kids. I know I am from the old school. But it could get better but people don't want to try it. Uniforms would solve some problems. Also teachers are dressing as bad as the kids.

i totaly agree with you @MFalls girl yes uniforms would change alot of the issues they have. i to am also old shool and yes i agree parents are as bad as the kids theses days. and teachers arnt any better. yet they all supposed to be setting an example for the kids.. smh....

Banning backpacks at Waukesha West High School was done for "safety reasons". The Administration will not clarify what this means. If it is in fact drugs, then banning backpacks won't stop drugs from entering the school. The backpacks can still be brought in to the school and then placed in the school lockers. What this allows is for the lockers to be legally searched. Students can not be searched and if they are carrying their backpack that can not be searched legally. So, this simply means that the students will need to carry/hide drugs on their person and not in their backpacks. This does not deter kids from bringing drugs to school. It simply changes the location where they will carry/hide it.

The Board of Education did implement this ban, only the Administration. And it was done 3 weeks before school started and they did not "formally" notify any parents, students or faculty. "Why" one must ask?

Randy1949: Adults carrying briefcases are just that --ADULTs. They have more life experience than inexperienced kids with backpacks who are still trying to learn right from wrong. Adults have in a way, EARNED the right to carry briefcases because they know how to use them correctly. Of course I'm not saying ALL adults...there is that minority who use them to carry questionable items. But are far less than the kids who are carrying questionable items.

Apothic: AGREED!

This is just one more step towards the policing & selling the fear of WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. Banning school essentials is just plain over the top. Within Schools today, kids are overloaded with not enough time to accomplish every task assigned. There is not enough time in between classes & they generally have to hail @zz to just barely get there. Teachers do run over their class time as they are trying to do the same with tight schedules. Homeschool/online students have many opportunities to Socialize due to activities planned for them. They get a netbook to use, then turn it in yearly. They excel, but to the remark they do it on their time/pace; they still have to hustle & have an overload of items to accomplish. Free choice, organization & the allowance to use common sense within what they carry should be the ONLY guiding factors here. MOST, I'd bet a good MAJORITY, DO NOT BRING GUNS/DRUGS to school. You'll find these everywhere. So what, ban them from being in public because they might cross the path of someone holding these items?! Schools with Police, detectors, searches are very disruptive & take away from youth. &, yes, they do this in the Falls as well. Would you like this at your place of employment? A lil
stressful, perhaps?! Now, imagine thes kids havi.g rhis added

Having this added to all other stresses; ever stop to think why they're snapping. Add the pharma dope Over prescribed...once again, Common Sense Should Rule. Add some technology/netbooks, reasonable time for Staff & Students & go back to some of tbe basics without all the stress. I am not saying to coddle them, however, there ARE MORE REASONABLE CHOICES HERE THAN WHAT MAY HAPPEN. I cannot imagine being a female & not having a choice or clear bags to transport personal items needed. I can't imagine who has All this time to think about WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN &let's protect them from fears & possibilities. QUIT treating these 'kids' as potential criminals & let them LEARN. KIDS ARE VERY Savvy today. TALK to them...most are smarter than some Adults within making Common Sense Choices! They get it.

This is Obama's America, an America of weakness. The recent events in the Mideast prove once again Obama cannot handle world conflicts let alone a heavy backpack. It's time to remove this America hating usurper from his place of power. On November 6th Election Day we will vote out Obama and his backpack filled with racism, hate and division.

When the hell did this turn into a political topic?? Focus people! If you want to discuss politics, do it in another forum!

Might I suggest to the many who are concerned about school issues and still have kids in school to become more involved at the top with the administration, at board meetings, or thru emails to the admin and to the board, reading the minutes, watching the board meetings on-line if available, things like that. I cannot tell you how many things I have learned at board meetings (although they be boring most days) before much of the general district population knew it. All this is public record, and has to be, and most things are up for dicussion at board meetings. And please don't just say I don't have time. If you are concerned, as many clearly are then you need to make the time. Many controvertial issues became known the most of the population with in the school district because of parents/staff who went to the board meetings or read the minutes or watched it online etc. and told other people. Yes, by word of mouth. Many issues in our district were put on hold and changed because of parent concerns, Parents voiced there concerns and when possible changes were made. Parents can bring to light things that the admin and board have not even considered because they are not in your shoes. It's up to you to be informed and make your voice heard. It does make a difference even though you may not get everything you want all the time, having your voice heard and letting the powers that be know how you feel is still important. Speak up or live with their decisions.

I will re post as others had a hard time understanding what I was saying. If kids are organized they don't need to carry everything from class to class. Their parents should have a lot more important things to worry about in their life then if they can carry a backpack to class or not. This is a simple school rule that really in the big picture of life is not a big deal. And yes I did mean that the rule was changed to keep students from bringing things to class that should not be there, including drugs. If this is your biggest problem in life, feel lucky. Let's refocus on learning which is why your children are in school.

Give me a break,,, I have been out of school for a long long time, we only had a few minutes to get to classes and we all did just fine, If kids plan ahead they will have the books they need, Just go to your locker get what you need for the next few classes ect, don't spend too much time meeting with friends and talking ect. WE have to get kids ready for the real world and part of that is learning to plan out your day and take responsibilty for what you will need. I have to go from one meeting to another and I can't say "OH WAIT" I didn't have time to get what I needed..... I plan ahead and bring what I need in the first place....

"Do backpacks contribute to a more dangerous and disruptive school environment? "

Just another argument that leads to the conclusion that public education has run it's course, and it's time to end it.

"Public Education" has become the Monopoly of Corporate School Districts who no longer educate students, but provide jobs for teachers, administrators, bus services, lunch services, janitorial services, and maintenance services. Education is no longer about education.

End the brick and mortar infrastructure expense, and allow children to train at home , at their own pace - or in Co-Ops run by parents.

Education in the 21st. Century:

Kahn Academy: http://www.khanacademy.org/

University of The People: http://www.uopeople.org/

Coursea: https://www.coursera.org/

Leave it up to the parents???????? I just went to a curriculum night for my sons high school. In three of the classrooms I visited I was the only parent in the room. Parents are so disconnected to making education a priority in their childrens life that they only thing they can get fired up about it backbacks and you want to hand over the future of our education to them. Please NO!!!!!

I bet Dora The Explorer would really be disappointed!

Randy1949: Nowhere in my comment did I make mention of the age of 18 being the age that kids are no longer kids. Also, we have seen the horrors of other schools dealing with shooting drugs etc. These kids don't need to be allowed to learn right from wrong by having their school next. The adults and administrators of schools have recognized these horrors and are banning backpack so that the kids don't have to learn that first hand. Ask the kids if they have any opinion on schools that have had incidents. The learning they should be doing is in a safe classroom. Yes, it may be a minority that hides guns and drugs in their pack, but all it takes is one minority to have a lot of dead and injured kids and a lot of grieving families. Like Columbine. If banning backpacks HELPS in ANY way to make a school more safe. They need to do it. And not having a backpack won't injure kids the way a kid with a gun in a backpack can injure many. We did not need backpacks when we went to school. These kids will survive fine without them. And let's not forget, if schools ban backpacks they do have the ability to change the time allowed bwtween classes by a minute or two.

One thing the story does not address and many in other communities may not know is that Waukesha West HS, more than most, is trying to deal with what many in that community have called an epidemic of heroin and illicit prescription opiate drug use (Oxycontin, Oxycodone, etc.). Over the past year, I have written extensively on one case in which a recent Waukesha West graduate died and another is going prison for her heroin overdose death – http://wauwatosa.patch.com/search?_utf8=%E2%98%83&keywords=Alexandra+Hopping+Heroin+Death

Ironically, the mother moved her daughter to Wauwatosa to escape the rampant narcotic drug use in Waukesha. But her circle of "friends" followed her here.

That's just one case, but the investigation showed that there was a deep-rooted culture of hard-core narcotic use and distribution at that high school.

I don't know that banning backpacks is the solution, but as editor in Wauwatosa, where school-assigned police officers conduct random searches with a drug-sniffing dog, both backpacks and lockers, not to mention cars and pockets, often turn up detectable contraband. But dogs can't sniff out everything, and they can't be used every day. It's sad that our schools need to be subject to such K9 investigations in the first place.

How about the fact there are not enough lockers for all the students at Greenfield High School?

Give them shopping carts, that will at least prepare some of the students for their future.

Let's see, no backpacks, no baggy clothes, no purse or shoulder bag. We could ban all clothes, have them start 30 minutes earlier, everyone goes through a body bacterial wash, mouth flush, head de-lice bath and then they put on a supplied disposable biodegradable paper outfit. You are not allowed to leave the building till your day is done, except for physical education; where you will have a locker to change into your disposable gym outfit. After gym, another complete body cleansing as earlier. No books will be needed in classrooms, and assignments will all be available on-line or in paper form for pickup on the way out of the building. Books will be for home use only; at school, all assignments will be available for reading and submission on computers. Just think how much safer and healthier society will be. While we're are it, no windows lower than 6 feet off the ground, they will not open and will be bullet proof glass. Yep, this could be really positive for the future of society. Oh yeah, no phones or other personal devices will be allowed while school is in session. All personal belongings will be left in your locker. Nothing but an ID and your body suit will be with you, during the school day.

If parents would do their jobs and parent, this wouldn't be an issue. Teach your kids that there is OBJECTIVE right and wrong and good and bad, and moral and immoral. Parents don't think anything of just letting the culture raise their kids for.them. They get their ideas about the world from TV and the internet and not their parents. Do your job parents!

exactly @ Louise ur so totaly right. i agree 100 percent like u said if Parents would do there jobs as parents we wouldnt be having these conversations. we r the ones setting the examples for our children weather they r at home or at school. and yes kelly i do understand this is about banning backpacks but at the same time there are other issues that aslo need to be address. there are just some parents that dont care.... smh

Randy1949: I have no problem at all with home schooling. Many of my friends do so, ad their kids are stable well educated kids. :-)

we should sew up all pockets in there pants they can carry pot and hand guns and knives

I never had to carry a backpack around in high school. As others have said, if you have a couple classes that are far apart, just grab the stuff you need for two classes at once and go. Then head back to swap things out after that. However, it the school has actually shortened the time between classes, then this could be a problem.

I wouldn't expect someone to carry their entire Before-Lunch books around at the same time and then all the afternoon books around. There should be time between some classes to go to the locker. If their locker is organized, it's literally, open up, put in old books, grab out new books, go. Should take about 10 seconds. But if they're doing their hair, checking out their clothes, talking with friends, etc, then sure, they'll be late. Kids need to figure out that the priority when in school is learning. The priority before, after, or during lunch can be friends and chatting.

i cant believe this would even come up should we send kids to school in straight jackets?

Why are they shortening the time between classes, what is the benefit to the educational process? When I was in HS it was 6 minutes; in a 2 block long building with 4 stories it was barely enough. You cannot expect youngsters to be like robots and not talk to friends or fix themselves only at lunch or after school. Get real, many adults do this all day long at their jobs, and some spend more time talking and fraternizing than working (even managers) : ( The real question is, what is the reward for our children upon graduation, what does the future hold for them, what do they have to look forward to? What is all this Education doing to make our Nation and the World a better place to live?

Back when I was going to school there was no need to haul everything except the kitchen sink to school. Only things needed in school were: a pen and pencil, books for the classes (kept in a locker unless required fir homework), notebooks, loose leaf paper (narrow ruled), a few sorted extras for geometry, medications if required by Doctors prescription, and a comb. Phones...no one needed a phone, and schools normally had a payphone in the lobby, or the office would allow you to use theirs in an emergency. Lockers used to bulge...Which mine was on the far end of the building and I would have to make a trip to it a few times a day, but always had enough time between classes (4 minutes) to get to my locker and the bathroom (if needed) and still made it to class on time...then again I wasn't stopping to talk to friends along the way.

I have seen a number of comments along the lines of, "I didn't have a backpack when I was in high school and it was fine for me; it should be fine for them." Personally, I feel like an idiot for not thinking of using a backpack 25 years ago in high school. Yes, I carried multiple books at once, along with folders and writing utensils. And they were scattered, disorganized and hard to carry. Kids have more things nowadays — some useful, some wasteful — but having a way to carry and organize those things makes sense.

I'm sure at some point, people felt candles and horses and buggies were just fine for them and electric lights and cars were just symbols of a lazy, soft generation.

i think Hartland provides netbooks for kids

I personally think they should be able to carry them around, but have the teachers keep a eye on the students.