This summer, our district met to review our safety and security protocols and emergency management procedures thoroughly. As a result of these meetings, several safety and security enhancements will take place this school year. One safety enhancement will require all Lancaster ISD students to carry a clear or mesh backpack. This decision is a preventive safety and security measure, and all students who attend Lancaster ISD must adhere to this requirement.

No. Parents/Guardians are responsible for ensuring their student(s) attends school with a clear or mesh backpack for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

Parents/guardians will need to provide a replacement backpack.

Non-clear and non-mesh backpacks will not be allowed in school. Backpacks that are out of policy compliance will be kept in the campus front office until the end of the school day. Parents can also pick up the backpack during the school day if they choose. Only clear or mesh backpacks will be allowed on campus.

Yes. As written in the Student Handbook, all backpacks are subject to a search by campus administration.

Yes, these are permitted but should be stored in the band hall or athletic locker rooms. Coaches, band directors, and administrators will provide information on storage options to students in these organizations.

Yes. Non-clear lunch boxes are permitted to be carried in backpacks.

Yes, clear totes, purses, and bags are allowed.

No. Backpacks must have clear visibility through all dimensions, excluding the bookbag bottom (see an example of what is not permitted below).

Yes. Colored, transparent backpacks are allowed as long as they are fully clear backpacks.

No. There are no color specifications for mesh backpacks. The requirement is that campus administration is able to see through them.

The clear backpack policy only pertains to the backpack itself. Other items, such as pencil boxes, notebooks, binders, glasses cases, laptop bags, lunch bags, and pouches for makeup or other personal belongings, are all still permitted. Students may carry a non-clear pouch no larger than 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches to hold personal items, such as cellphones, money, and hygiene products.

Parents and guardians may purchase a clear or mesh backpack from the following retailers:

Amazon; Walmart; Target; Academy Sports; Bed Bath & Beyond; Sears; Office Depot; Kohl's; Shein; Levines