As the school year comes to a close, several San Antonio-area school districts have moved forward with the implementation of a new backpack policy to reduce the risk of dangerous items being brought onto its campuses.

Southwest ISD and South San Antonio ISD will ban backpacks from their campuses for the remainder of the school year. Here is a breakdown of the policies for the school districts.

Southwest ISD

As of Monday, May 8, the school district has banned backpacks from its 18 campuses through the end of the school year (Thursday, June 1). A safety letter notified parents about the enforcement of the policy, which detailed that the following backpack and bag types would no longer be permitted on campus:

backpacks
sling bags
messenger bags
large purses

Student do have the option of carrying one of these approved bags:

small bags and/or clutches - 5.5” x 8.5” or smaller
clear bags — Plastic, vinyl, or PVC — 12” x 6” x 12”
1-gallon clear freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar) — 12” x 12” or smaller

Southwest ISD has implemented its No-Backpack Policy through the end of the 2022-2023 school year. | Graphic by Southwest ISD

South San Antonio ISD

Starting today through the last day of classes on Thursday, June 1, the South San Antonio ISD will implement its own bag policy all 16 campuses. According to a Facebook post on the district's page, these bags will no longer be accepted on school grounds:

backpacks
large purses
sling bags
messenger bags

These bags are approved for use:

Clear and mesh bags
Small bags and/or clutches - 5.5” x 8.5” or smaller
1-gallon clear freezer bag - 12” x 12” or smaller

Both school districts have exceptions to the rule for students in extracurricular activities — like sports or band — but bags must be put away during designated times set by the campus.