High school students in an Idaho district have resorted to shopping carts, aquariums, and even popcorn machines due to the ban.
At Rigby Middle School, part of an Idaho school district, a 13-year-old girl was taken into custody after a gun was found in her backpack. Jefferson School District 251 has since banned backpacks from all of its secondary schools as a "precautionary measure." As a result, teenagers have resorted to carrying their books in ridiculous containers. Captured in several TikTok videos, students have been spotted with shopping carts, aquariums, and even popcorn machines. The school district has asked parents and students to comply with the new regulations, but is yet to comment on when the ban will be lifted, KSL.com reports.
Idaho school bans backpacks after a gun was brought to school.
— Voting Mom, JD (@VotingMomIL) September 28, 2021
Instead we could, you know, store firearms securely so students can’t access them. Just a thought. 🤷🏼♀️@MomsDemand https://t.co/4UGWccvKH7
In a news release, School District Superintendent Chad Martin stated, "We ask our parents to partner with us in keeping all of our students safe. Please keep your firearms safe and inaccessible to students. If you notice changes in your student's behavior, attire, or personality notify us so we can help your student." Monica Pauley, a spokeswoman for Jefferson School District 251, also clarified that the ban on backpacks applies only to secondary schools, including Rigby Middle School, Farnsworth Middle School, and both Rigby and Jefferson High Schools. "Elementary schools will still be able to have backpacks," she said. "We are doing this as a precautionary measure."
Idaho Students Come Up With Creative Solutions After School District Fully Bans Backpacks https://t.co/Ae4ZS9lhc8
— PurpleClover (@PurpleClvr) September 30, 2021
In the meantime, high school students at Jefferson School District 251 have been carrying their books and other items in what can only be described as the most bizarre containers. Some teenagers at Rigby High School shared insider videos via TikTok. The video clips display scenes in the cafeteria, hallways, and classrooms, and show students carrying their loads in an array of objects. These objects include wagons, popcorn machines, shopping carts, household organizers, water coolers, strollers, and aquariums. It is unclear when students will be permitted to bring backpacks to school again.
Students use strollers and shopping carts after school bans backpacks
— RicardoSaltero (@RicardoSaltero) September 29, 2021
(Love this) https://t.co/JTOR6JkAH7
The ban comes on the heels of a worrisome report about school shootings. Despite school closures and digital learning modes owing to the pandemic, there have been a total of 16 school shootings in the United States this year. Earlier this year, two students and a custodian were shot, although not killed, during a shooting at Rigby Middle School. While the 13-year-old did not pull out her gun or point and shoot it at anyone, the recent incident has been a cause for concern. Reports claim the young girl was struggling emotionally. The school district is yet to comment on whether mental health services are being provided to its students.
Just another day in the USA pic.twitter.com/43BuLiv86I
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) September 28, 2021