Backpacks with wheels coming to a rolling stop

BROOKSVILLE –
They might be more efficient when traveling, but the wheels are in motion for some Hernando County schools to prohibit rolling backpacks – particularly for students in kindergarten through third-grade.

School officials say safety is the key reason why the pullable bags with wheels are being driven out of the classroom in preference of the more traditional bookbags with straps that can attach to a child’s back.

Ray Pinder, principal of J.D. Floyd K-8 School of Environmental Science, said the backpacks haven’t caused a serious issue yet. However, educators have identified them as a tripping hazard – particularly through the hallways.

Students in fourth- through eighth-grades do have the option of using the wheeled bags.

“It’s still a tripping hazard, but as they get older they start paying a little more attention to what’s going on in the hallway,” Pinder said. “Plus, as kids get older, books get heavier.”

At Brooksville Elementary, Assistant Principal Nancy Johnson said rolling backpacks are prohibited for children in kindergarten and first-grade only – mainly due to children having a little too much fun with the wheeled bags.

“A lot of children like to use them as lawnmowers,” Johnson said. “We’ve had to constantly remind them that they’re meant to be pulled, not pushed – and so they tend to be a little more disruptive with them that way.”

Both agreed there have been no serious issues with them, while Pinder added that parents will likely be understanding of the restrictions.

As devices, games and other new items become popular, school officials annually consider stricter constraints on what children can bring to school.

Heelys, which are shoes with wheels on the bottom made by Heelys, Inc., are banned to keep students from practically roller skating through hallways. Silly Bandz, popular rubber bands that are formed into specific shapes, are also prohibited in some schools.

“Most of the items that are prohibited are mainly done for safety,” Pinder said.

Other no-no’s at some schools include:

* Mechanical pencils.

* Gel pens.

* Pencil sharpeners

* Trapper keepers.

* Ear bud style headphones.

To see your child’s back-to-school list, go to www.hernandoschools.org.

Meanwhile, as some may argue that book bags are becoming too bulky and heavy for children and teens, Pinder pointed out that most would find that most of what students choose to carry in their backpacks are unnecessary.

“The bigger the backpack, the more kids tend to try and store in them,” Pinder said. “It becomes their own little packrat thing and adds more to what they have to clean out.”

Reporter Jeff Schmucker can be reached at (352) 544-5271 or [email protected].