Privacy Digest

Montgomery Newspapers - Wissahickon High to require clear backpacks for students: Wissahickon High School parents and students received a letter signed by Principal William Hayes last week informing them of a new rule: only clear backpacks can be worn throughout the school day.

The policy, which will be implemented the first day of the 2007-08 school year, caused an influx of phone calls, e-mails, IMs and text message exchanges throughout the student body.

A "Hell No I'm Not Wearing a See-Through Backpack" group formed on the social networking Web site, Facebook, with 325 members as of Tuesday. Students are calling it an invasion of personal privacy and a step back to improving safety at WHS.

Hayes said during a phone interview July 20 the rule is "not a foolproof step but an additional measure to help in the detection of inappropriate things kids may bring to school."

According to Superintendent Stanley Durtan, the WHS administrative team conceived the idea before Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr.'s school safety committee released a 13-page report two weeks ago with recommendations to reduce the likelihood of violence.

Hayes said when the report suggested requiring mesh or clear bags, "we decided to move ahead with it."

During a phone interview July 20, Rachel Layden, incoming WHS sophomore, said the policy "doesn't even solve the problem it intends to - it actually creates more problems."

Many students said because the rule allows them to continue to carry traditional backpacks and purses to and from school - they must secure them in their lockers or the activities office and only use transparent bags to travel to classes throughout the day - weapons and drugs could still make their way into the building.

Students have raised additional complaints about the size, sturdiness and availability of the backpacks that the letter referred them to. Purchase information included Target.com and Clearbackpacks.com for $19.99 and Bizrate.com for $11.99.

In response to students' claims that the featured backpacks won't fit their books and could easily tear, Hayes said students are permitted "unlimited visits" to their lockers to drop off and pick up books as needed.

Which is why Layden said, "It's pointless. If someone wanted to they could transfer a weapon into their pocket."

But the administration sees the rule as a proactive approach.

"If someone has a dead-set intention on doing something disruptive, that's difficult to stop," Hayes said. "We're hoping clear visibility makes it easier [to stop]."

The visibility is actually what most students are worried about. Layden said, "They thought of students' safety but did they think about their privacy?" Other students think carrying personal items in plain view could encourage stealing.

According to Durtan, clear backpacks should actually help reduce theft because "stolen items will be more difficult to conceal. "Obviously, when this new rule is implemented adjustments may be advisable after a trial period," he wrote in an e-mail July 19.

(Read Original Article - Via Montgomery Newspapers .)