Safety and health concerns have backpacks on lockdown at Old Rochester Regional High School, but many students are crying foul.

On Monday, January 7 the school started a no backpack rule for students, requiring them to keep backpacks and jackets in their lockers.

“I’ve finally found things our students care about,” joked Principal Mike Devoll. Three days in, he said, “The feedback from the staff has been good. The feedback from the students has been mixed.”

Devoll said there was a safety component to the new rule, but he stressed that it was not connected to the school shootings in Connecticut.

“A lot of our students thought it was a very reactionary move,” he said. “Safety and the issue of what was being carried in the backpacks was an issue.”

Senior Dan Donohue started a petition to get the rule loosened. Several hundred students have signed already.

“I do understand where they’re coming from with safety and back pain,” Donohue said of the faculty. “I just think the mandatory elimination of backpacks is one step too far in the wrong direction.”

Besides keeping dangerous materials or contraband substances out of the classroom, Devoll said leaving backpacks in lockers is better for fire safety and traffic in the school.

“Just walking up and down the aisles was impossible. Walking through the halls, stairways – it wasn’t good for anybody,” said Devoll.

Health concerns were also a major reason for the change. Many students carry around a 50-pound bag of books, and Devoll said back pain that begins in high school has been linked to problems past graduation.

To give students more time to visit their lockers between classes, the passing time was increased from four minutes to six.

The extra time came from shortening homeroom by a minute, removing the morning snack time, and shortening lunch by two minutes.

Devoll said he’s received few complaints from freshmen and sophomores, but the juniors and seniors have expressed their dislike of the change.

“A lot of seniors are saying, ‘Why us? We get the short end of every stick,’” Devoll said.

Some students are testing the waters, carrying larger purses or drawstring bags. So far, both have been allowed by teachers.

Donohue said Devoll is listening to students, and they certainly have plenty to say.

Jeremy Bare, a junior, said, “I don’t like it. I have to remember to bring things to class. I’m really forgetful.”

Students appreciate the extra time between classes, but Bare takes issue with leaving jackets in lockers.

“You can’t wear a letterman or a football jacket. You can’t show off your achievements,” he said.

Sophomore Ryan Manning doesn’t mind the rule. “I think it’s easier because we get to use the string backpacks, instead of carrying these heavy backpacks everywhere,” said Manning.

He admitted that it does get tricky bringing everything to study halls.

“You have homework for six different classes,” said Manning. “I was literally carrying my whole locker.”

Several students said they would at least like the option of bringing their backpacks and coats to class.

Devoll stressed that the new rule is not a policy, and he hopes to find a middle ground with students.

“It’s a reasonable safety measure. My hope is there is a medium range where we can meet,” said Devoll.