A Michigan school district has banned backpacks

Backpacks have been banned in Flint, Michigan’s public school system, for safety reasons.

In place of backpacks, kids will be permitted to carry transparent plastic bags carrying exercise clothing, lunchboxes, tiny purses containing personal belongings like hygiene products, wallets, keys, and phones “within reason,” according to the district.

Those bags will continue to be checked. If a backpack is brought to school, a student will be sent to the front office to call their parent or guardian to pick it up.

The Flint Board of Education approved the decision, the district’s principal, administration, and in collaboration with the Flint Police Department.