Fraser students are facing new rules, clear backpacks, and widespread adjustment.

Fraser High School is ushering in new change as the students are returning to school after the summer. A new rule announced at the end of last year has taken over the thoughts and the plans of many students who are not used to change.

Students have been permitted to carry around their regular backpacks for years. This has made the six-minute passing time an easier, more relaxed period during which students do not have run around to their lockers before trying to make it to class on time. However, because of the new concern for safety issues, students are only permitted to carry clear backpacks and small shoulder bags.

Many students have negative emotions about the clear backpacks. While lockers are always an option, the routine of the school day would have to be majorly adjusted for most people. The clear backpacks have been the way to go for the large majority of students, however begrudging they may feel towards the change.

Clear backpacks are available at the school store for $10, and on the first day of school there were a handful of students that were able to pick up one for free. However, the integrity of the clear backpack is not up to par. Only four days into the school year, there have already been accounts of torn or broken backpacks. Mr. Flanagan, an English teacher at Fraser, commented on the unreliability of the cheap plastic material.

“My concern is that some of them don’t look very durable, and students are going to get frustrated when they fall apart within a week or two,” he said.

While this is a largely unwelcome change, it is intended to keep students safe. It is still early on into the new adjustment. Fraser Schools are hoping that this new policy will prove to be what is best for their students.