A screenshot of LPSS's bookbag and lunch bag policy stated in their 2022-2023 handbook. 

Julia Reed, a parent of an incoming first-year LPSS student, said when she first heard the news, she was upset because she already purchased her child’s bookbag and lunch bag for the school year. 

“I've made it a big deal and went to Target and let him pick out his new lunch bag for this year. So, he's really excited about his Mario lunch bag, you know, so I don't want to have to tell him that he has to get a clear one,” Reed said.  

LPSS’s handbook for the 2022-2023 school year states that all high and middle school students will be required to have a mesh or clear book and lunch bag. 

For elementary students, clear bags are encouraged but will be required next school year. Reed stated that this may be a financial burden for some parents.

A screenshot of LPSS's bookbag and lunch bag policy stated in their 2022-2023 handbook. 

“Financially, it could be a challenge for some parents to have to, you know, buy another one if they've already bought one,” she said.  

Reed told News15 that she and her husband’s biggest concern is the safety of storing food in a clear lunch bag.  

“He was concerned about, you know, being able to preserve food at the correct temperature and in a clear bag, maybe not being properly insulated,” she explained.  

Another concern she has is if parents will actually be able to find clear bags in time for school. 

“Things sell out once it's required. I mean, we have thousands of students that would need a clear lunch bag. I don't know that as many supply chain problems, we've been having, like, is that going to be a problem?” she said.  

The clear bag policy will also apply to all visitors.  

The mother stated that she doesn’t have a problem with this.  

“If you think about the recent shooting that was in Uvalde was not a student or a staff member, it was someone from the community. So, you know, that's a real way to keep kids safe at extracurricular activities,” she said.  

Many parents also voiced their concerns at Wednesday night’s school board meeting. 

"I think we're going a little bit too far on certain things and missing the mark on the logic and common sense,” Azadeh Yazdi, a LPSS parent, said.  

"Clear lunch boxes will not stop a school shooting,” Nureaka Ross, a LPSS parent, said. 

Reed believes that after the meeting, their voices were heard.  

“You know, I think that the school board and the superintendent wants best for kids, so I feel like we, in the end, we'll come to a resolution that works for everybody,” she said.  

One change was made in the meeting by LPSS’s school board member Kate Labue stating that small lunch bags that are approximately 9” x 6” x 5”. 

LPSS’s handbook states that one small cosmetic bag will be allowed in students bags for privacy.  

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