Mid-Del Schools Implement Clear Backpack Policy For Middle And High School Students

After two shootings involving the district, one at a Del City High School basketball game and another at a football game in Choctaw, a new policy at Mid-Del Schools requires clear backpacks for all middle and high school students.

Wednesday, August 14th 2024, 6:16 am

By: Addie Crawford

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. -

With almost 15,000 students heading back to Mid-Del Schools classrooms Wednesday morning, many are being met with a new backpack policy for all middle and high schools.

After two shootings involving the district, one at a Del City High School basketball game and another at a football game in Choctaw, district leaders now say the new measure is to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff.

According to the new rule, backpacks can have colored straps, but only completely clear and see-through backpacks are allowed inside the school.

The district says this is to improve safety measures for students, faculty, and staff to create a safe learning environment.

Students can have small, 5 by 8-inch pouches to hold items such as personal hygiene products and money.

The district said non-clear lunch boxes are allowed to be carried within the clear backpacks, but purses must also be clear.

In 2023, the district implemented safety measures at football games requiring clear bags and a weapons detection system.

"We’re always going to be in this together," Carl Albert High School football coach Mike Dunn said. "We all have each other’s backs, we have our kids our teams, we all support each other."

The new policy only applies to middle and high schools in the district and does not apply to elementary students.