A new admin policy of bringing a clear bag or no bag to stadium games at Cypress High School began this year. For the previous years Cypress has had a no bag policy, stating that anyone who came to the games weren’t allowed to bring bags at all. The clear bag policy doesn’t have a size limit in fact “the bigger the better,” said Principal Jennifer Brown. The clear bag policy has been popping up for other stadiums such as concerts, sports, and school stadiums.
Students have been asking if they could revisit the idea of a no bag policy and after talking with other schools, Cypress High came up with the clear bag policy. “Using the clear bag policy makes it easier to…make sure there’s no weapons, noise makers, alcohol, and drugs,” said Brown. The policy is meant to ensure the safety of everyone attending the game with a fast and simple solution. Not every school in the district has implemented this policy, but most schools have started it. “We had the idea to start the clear bag policy but didn’t want anyone to be thrown off with the new policy…so we started it at the beginning of this year,” said Lauren Choi.
Over the summer, Cypress has started advertising clear bags using CHS Spirit Squad and PTA. “Eventually we may even start having the clear bag policy for the gym,” stated Brown. Cypress has started announcing the new policy on social media, CTV, emails, and to the PTSA, “we wanted to make sure people weren’t thrown off with the new policy in place so we blasted the message everywhere,” said Choi. “We’re not trying to make things difficult, we’re just trying to keep them safe,” said Brown.
When bringing bags other than that a clear bag anyone attending the game has a couple of options, either put things into your pockets or leave it in the car. While the policy was made for good reason there are still students who express their dislike of the new policy. “Let’s be real using clear bag lets everyone see what you have inside. So let’s say you have something expensive or valuable that makes you more likely to get your stuff stolen,” said Junior Jaden Tabamo. “I don’t like it because some students wouldn’t be able to afford a bag and I think it would’ve been better to just do bag searches before entering the stadium,” said Junior Abeda Hessam. “Bringing anything valuable to the games with the clear bag policy in place has the same risk as bringing them with a regular bag. You would still be responsible for anything that happens just like at any other place,” said Choi. To students who are concerned about not affording any clear bags you can still bring other clear items for example, “there was a girl who brought a ziploc bag,” said Brown. The policy is meant to help keep everyone attending, be safe, and be a cheap and easy solution.
