“backs” to School

Recommendations 11

• R1
  Do any of the schools in your district provide lockers for students? Responses: 22 of the responding schools do not have lockers, two have lockers, four have lockers for gym classes only, four have lockers for high schools and one has lockers for middle school students.
• R2
  If yes, where are these lockers located relative to home class rooms? Responses: Lockers are located near the gym, two have lockers “spread around the campus,” and one has lockers located outside of classrooms, but near the gym.
• R3
  If yes, how much time is provided between classes to access lockers? Responses: Four are accessible in five to 8 minutes; one does not allow locker access between classes.
• R4
  If yes, are lockers inspected, and if so, how often and by whom? Responses: In one case, the principal has keys to all lockers, but inspects them only if there is reason to suspect something inappropriate is being stored, one inspects lockers weekly, one checks the lockers at the beginning and end of the school year and one looks at lockers only at the end of the term.
• R5
  If yes, are locker usage rules explained to students and their parents/guardians? Responses: In six cases, locker rules are explained to students, in five cases, usage rules are explained to parents, one district noted that no parent has asked for rules to be explained.
• R6
  Is there an educational program in place to explain the proper use of backpacks to students and their parents/guardians? Responses: Two districts answered yes, one school mentioned explanations are given during school assemblies and one said rules are explained on a case-by-case basis and one answered rules are contained in student handbooks.
• R7
  If yes, how is this information disseminated? Responses: One district has a “parents information night” during which school rules including those concerning backpacks are explained, one covers the subject in a handbook and during assemblies and in two cases, teachers discuss the subject. 10
• R8
  How do teachers or other staff monitor how children carry their backpacks? Responses: At six districts, teachers monitor how the children are wearing backpacks, in two districts, proper wearing of backpacks is covered in safety guidelines, and in one each, teachers and staff coach the children, a nurse observes and when improper use is noted, it is handled on an individual basis with the student. One district did not see improper use of backpacks as a problem.
• R9
  Do your schools permit the use of rolling backpacks? Responses: Twenty-six of the responding districts permit rolling backpacks, only one does not.
• R10
  Can you provide records of backpack accidents? Responses: None of the responding districts had any accidents to report, although four would keep such records if necessary.
• R11
  Can you provide records of injuries caused by backpacks? Responses: None of the responding districts had any injuries to report, although five added they would keep such records if necessary. Please return this survey to: W. Broadway, Suite 477 San Diego CA 92101-3830 or Via fax to: (619) 515-8696 As of late January 2007, 28 of the 36 schools had responded. The results are immediately above. In some cases, the responses add to more than 36. That is because some of the responding districts do provide lockers for physical education classes; some provide lockers for the middle and high schools in their districts, but not for the lower grades. Please note these are responses from districts, not from individual schools. 11