Allen schools & backpack with wheels (Plano: fit in, how much, house)

[TexasBuffaloGal]

We are new to Allen, and we are wondering if backpack with wheels are allowed in the Allen schools. If so, at what grade is it advisable for a child to start using the backpacks with wheels? Thank you in advance.

[Betty_Baylor99]

Is there any way you could email the school counselor or grade level team leader (for my daughter's school, the teachers email addresses and the school admin members are listed on the school website)? I realize the school year has not started yet, but when I taught employees for our district had access to our email accounts in the summer. My daughter was in Kindergarten last year and we were specifically told rolling backpacks would not fit inside their lockers (due to the width). Definitely a good idea to ask before you spend money and find out the hard way. Is there any way you can ask a parent who had a kid at the school last year (through your neighborhood)?

[BigDGeek]

Stupid question and probably off-topic, but why do kids need backpacks with wheels? We never had them. Are they lugging around that much stuff? *scratching head*

[Spree]

Many schools prohibit backpacks on wheels. At my children's school, they keep their books at home to use and have a classroom set at school to use so that they aren't lugging heavy books back and forth.

I would call the school and ask and if you're new, you should get a welcome packet or something about the district when you enroll your child.

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Stupid question and probably off-topic, but why do kids need backpacks with wheels? We never had them. Are they lugging around that much stuff? *scratching head*

When dd was still public school (not Allen), YES! OMG, she had backpacks breaking on her they were so heavy, and at least one of those years she didn't have a locker. No wheels allowed in her case, don't know about Allen. I would think the backpacks with wheels could be pretty hazardous in the halls.

[robmab]

My 9-year-old's backpack was so heavy last year that I could barely lift it. It worried me to death that someone half my size was having to carry that thing around on her back. She was mostly carrying library books, spelling book, lunch box, water bottle, homework binder and an extra pair of shoes -- you'd be surprised at how much that stuff can weigh.

I would love to get her a backpack on wheels, but don't want to spend the money if it's not allowed at the school. I've learned to wait until "Meet the Teacher" night/Open House to ask about backpacks. Each classroom/grade level seems to be different in what they allow.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by robmab

My 9-year-old's backpack was so heavy last year that I could barely lift it. It worried me to death that someone half my size was having to carry that thing around on her back. She was mostly carrying library books, spelling book, lunch box, water bottle, homework binder and an extra pair of shoes -- you'd be surprised at how much that stuff can weigh.

I would love to get her a backpack on wheels, but don't want to spend the money if it's not allowed at the school. I've learned to wait until "Meet the Teacher" night/Open House to ask about backpacks. Each classroom/grade level seems to be different in what they allow.

Do they not have lockers where they can store these things? Books and binders I understand, but an extra pair of shoes can be stored in a locker and water bottle....don't schools have drinking fountains anymore?

[mom2gurls]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Do they not have lockers where they can store these things? Books and binders I understand, but an extra pair of shoes can be stored in a locker and water bottle....don't schools have drinking fountains anymore?

LOL agreed. Living abroad for a couple of years , there are no such things as wheeled backpacks(at least where we were)..Its uniforms, 45 minute commute, water bottles, lunch box, snacks and books, on swim days, its an extra clothes...even for kindergarten and preschool...all of the expat kids that we knew didn't complain and the parents loved it!

Living outside of the western world(usa, Canada..Europe) for a couple of years in asia makes you realize very quickly how much our children are just coddled and wrapped up in these plastic bubbles.

Shoot I remember drinking from the water hose growing up!

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by mom2gurls

LOL agreed. Living abroad for a couple of years , there are no such things as wheeled backpacks(at least where we were)..Its uniforms, 45 minute commute, water bottles, lunch box, snacks and books, on swim days, its an extra clothes...even for kindergarten and preschool...all of the expat kids that we knew didn't complain and the parents loved it!

Living outside of the western world(usa, Canada..Europe) for a couple of years in asia makes you realize very quickly how much our children are just coddled and wrapped up in these plastic bubbles.

Shoot I remember drinking from the water hose growing up!

Me too!

[Linzy]

Back went my kids were little going to a private school in California, everybody had a rolling backpack because they don't have 2 sets of book. Whatever books that were needed were bought and carry back and for each day. But when we moved to Plano, we found out no backpacks were aloud. Basically any too big to fit in a locker is not aloud but then they have 2 sets of book so there should be much to carry.