Students, spectators face 'clear bag protocol' at Oconee County School District sports events

AND ITS SCHOOLS. >> AFTER A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS LAST YEAR THAT WE’VE HAD WITH GUNS ON OUR CAMPUSES, WE REALLY LOOKED AT DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN SECURE OUR BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES TO MAKE OUR STUDENTS SAFER. RASHAD: LAURENS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RECENTLY ANNOUNCED 55 SAFETY MADE CLEAR, OR A REQUIREMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TO HAVE CLEAR BACKPACKS. >> THEY CAN HAVE SOME MESH POCKETS ON THE SIDES BUT A FULLY MESH BAG WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. RASHAD: THE NEW POLICY WILL GO INTO EFFECT THIS UPCOMING 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR, WITH A FEW STIPULATIONS. TINTED OR COLORED TRANSPARENT BACKPACKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED, BUT THE BAGS CAN HAVE COLORED STRAPS. SMALL PRIVACY BAGS WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED TO GO INSIDE EACH BACKPACK, SAY FOR FEMININE PRODUCTS OR OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS. SMALL MONOGRAMS AND LOGOS ARE ALLOWED AS WELL. >> WITHIN THE PAST TWO WEEKS I’VE HAD LIKE 160-180 ORDERS OF BOOKBAGS. RASHAD: CASEY TERRY RUNS A SMALL BUSINESS CALLED SPILL THE TEES. >> THIS IS A TODDLER’S SIZE, FOR PRESCHOOLERS. RASHAD: SPECIALIZING RIGHT NOW IN MONOGRAMS FOR CLEAR BACKPACKS. >> A LOT OF KIDS DON’T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR WORLD AND THE REASONS WE HAVE TO DO THIS, SO JUST GIVING THEM THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THEIR OWN IMAGE. RASHAD: CASEY ALSO HAS A CHILD IN THE DISTRICT, SO SHE FEELS IT’S IMPORTANT TO STILL GIVE KIDS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR BAGS. >> THEY’RE ABLE TO PUT THEIR OWN LITTLE TOUCH ON IT AND I THINK THAT’S IMPORTANT, FOR US TO STILL GIVE KIDS THAT PIECE OF MIND. -- PEACE OF MIND. RASHAD: BAGS FOR BAND AND ATHLETICS, AS WELL AS REGULAR LUNCH BOXES WILL ALSO BE PERMITTED. IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE IMPLEMENTING METAL DETECTORS AND POLICE DOGS. FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES WHO DO NOT HAVE THESE CLEAR BAGS YET OR YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT, THE DISTRICT IS HOSTING A FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE ON

Another Upstate school district announced Tuesday it will allow people to only carry clear bags and backpacks to athletic events this school year.The School District of Oconee County said in a release it will implement a clear bag protocol as part of the screening process at all athletic events.The announcement comes one day after the school year started.(Above video was published on July 13 about Laurens County Schools clear bag requirements.)"A clear bag is easily searched, reduces faulty bag searches, and supports the Department of Homeland Security's 'If You See Something, Say Something' campaign," the release said. Spectators will be permitted to carry:One large clear bag up to 12” x 12” x 6”Plus a small clutch purse up to 4.5" x 6.5"Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to:Purses - larger than a clutchCamera casesBriefcasesBackpacksTinted/printed pattern plastic bagsDiaper bagsMesh bagsCinch BagsOfficials pointed out that a gallon-sized “Ziploc-style” bag meets the district's clear bag requirement.Folding chairs and blankets are allowed, but are subject to be searched, officials said.Diapers and other baby supplies may be carried into the stadium but must also be in a clear bag. Items requiring refrigeration, like medicine, infant formula and milk, are allowed in a small soft-side cooler, but coolers will be searched in the bag check area. Questions should be directed to the district's Department of Student Services or 864-886-4400.Union County Schools announced in July that it will implement a clear bag policy for the 2022-23 school year for all sporting events and major school functions.Earlier in July, Laurens County School District 55 announced it will require all students to use clear backpacks this school year, and will also be implementing metal detectors and police dogs at schools.

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. —

Another Upstate school district announced Tuesday it will allow people to only carry clear bags and backpacks to athletic events this school year.

The School District of Oconee County said in a release it will implement a clear bag protocol as part of the screening process at all athletic events.

The announcement comes one day after the school year started.

(Above video was published on July 13 about Laurens County Schools clear bag requirements.)

"A clear bag is easily searched, reduces faulty bag searches, and supports the Department of Homeland Security's 'If You See Something, Say Something' campaign," the release said.

Spectators will be permitted to carry:

One large clear bag up to 12” x 12” x 6”
Plus a small clutch purse up to 4.5" x 6.5"

Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to:

Purses - larger than a clutch
Camera cases
Briefcases
Backpacks
Tinted/printed pattern plastic bags
Diaper bags
Mesh bags
Cinch Bags

Officials pointed out that a gallon-sized “Ziploc-style” bag meets the district's clear bag requirement.

Folding chairs and blankets are allowed, but are subject to be searched, officials said.

Diapers and other baby supplies may be carried into the stadium but must also be in a clear bag.

Items requiring refrigeration, like medicine, infant formula and milk, are allowed in a small soft-side cooler, but coolers will be searched in the bag check area.

Questions should be directed to the district's Department of Student Services or 864-886-4400.

Union County Schools announced in July that it will implement a clear bag policy for the 2022-23 school year for all sporting events and major school functions.

Earlier in July, Laurens County School District 55 announced it will require all students to use clear backpacks this school year, and will also be implementing metal detectors and police dogs at schools.

Students, spectators face 'clear bag protocol' at Oconee County School District sports events

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