This past winter, the high school implemented a new policy: no backpacks in the lunch line.
Whitsons, a food provider that services schools, healthcare facilities, and other programs around the country, has a partnership with the high school. They are contracted to provide food service and in turn, the high school ensures that the employees are able to do their work safely and efficiently. Part of that job is monitoring students and their behavior.
In the fall of this school year, Whitsons employees, who cook and serve lunch to students, raised concerns about students’ backpacks in the cafeteria service area.
“When the students had backpacks on, it was packed like sardines,” said Deloris Malloy, student supervisor.
The lunch area can become overcrowded due to the influx of students attempting to get lunch in a timely manner. Oftentimes, students emerge from the service area with only a short interval left to eat and socialize.
Preventing theft was another motivation for the backpack ban.
“The [Whitsons employees] thought that if the kid didn’t have a backpack, it might make it more difficult for that to happen, and they would lose fewer products and less money,” said Dr. Jamie Chisum, principal of the high school.
In December, the school began to enforce the ban on student backpacks in the lunch line. Whitsons employees and student supervisors alike are satisfied with the outcome of the new policy.
“I think it’s been 110 percent effective. I can see the students more, the lines are moving more smoothly, and people’s food is not getting knocked out of their hands by someone turning in a backpack,” said Malloy. “They don’t look like sardines anymore, they look like students.”
Ms. Jamila Sisco, a Whitson’s cashier, shared this sentiment.
“It’s a lot less crowded in the lines,” she said. “I’ve noticed that the lines got shorter because kids aren’t backed up against backpacks, so you’re getting much more personal space.”
Students have mixed opinions on this new rule.
“I don’t think people care if they have to wear their backpacks or not,” said Reese Buhler ’28. “But the policy makes you wait longer for your lunch because you have to drop the backpack off at your table first and the lines are longer.”
“Backpacks being an issue never crossed my mind, but I feel like it’s become a little less crowded and that’s partially because of the backpack ban,” said Madeleine Barry ’26.
Other students feel as though there are more important problems to be addressed.
“Instead of banning backpacks, the administration could focus on improving the efficiency of the lunch lines, which are perpetually overcrowded,” said Margaret Pritchard ’27. “Blaming our large backpacks for the congestion, when the real issue is the scheduling of over a hundred students to get lunch in just twenty minutes, is both unfair and misguided.”
“It’s still crowded,” said Ariana Jean-Baptiste ’26. “There are other problems. The lines take too long and they run out of food.”
Malloy has stated her openness to helping students with their other needs and issues.
“I look out for all the students. Whatever is best for you guys, I try to move forward to make sure that it gets done the right way,” said Malloy.
Chisum has also expressed his willingness to work with students on providing solutions to their grievances.
“I would say to students and student leaders that I’m open to talking with them about what other solutions we could come up with that would work,” said Chisum.