BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BROWARD COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The Broward County School District announced Friday that it will mandate that all students only use clear bags and backpacks. The policy copies several private schools in the tri-county area, and may be the first of several public school systems in the area to mandate clear bags.
The school district issued this advisory on Friday:
The first day of the 2023/24 school year – Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) students will only be allowed to carry clear backpacks and bags on school campuses. The proactive measure, which applies to all grades from pre-K – 12, is an additional layer of security being added to the District’s ongoing safety and security efforts.
“Providing safe learning environments that are conducive to student learning is of the highest importance, not just for Broward County Public Schools but for school districts across the nation,” said BCPS Interim Superintendent Earlean C. Smiley. “This added layer of security is a game-changer. It will allow school security personnel and everyone on campus to quickly spot and report if someone has brought a prohibited item to school, and it will also help serve as a deterrent.”
Sign up for the BocaNewsNow.com nightly newsletter and breaking news email alerts. Completely free. Unsubscribe at any time.
Follow us on Google News
Only clear, see-through backpacks and bags – which include lunch boxes, purses, duffel bags, fanny packs, etc. – will be allowed on school campuses for all students in grades pre-K – 12. Mesh and colored backpacks are NOT permitted, even if they are transparent.
The only exceptions that will be permitted are: a small non-transparent pouch for personal hygiene items, thermal food containers carried inside clear lunch boxes, school-approved sport-specific carrying cases for athletic equipment, school-approved instrument-specific carrying cases for band equipment. The new measure does not apply to teachers, staff, volunteers or visitors.
