Administrators at Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School (JLS) have been encouraging students to leave books and backpacks in designated lockers.

Though the administration strongly condones the act in hopes that it will help teach students to be more organized, students are not required to leave materials in lockers. No punitive measures will be taken against students who bring their backpacks into the classroom.

According to principal Don Cox, the district had wanted students to lock up the bulk of their school materials while classes were in session ever since JLS installed its lockers five years ago. The staff decided last year to promote locker use.

Teachers and other staff members are also encouraging locker use by helping with the planning and organization of the practice. Kids Jane Lathrop Stanford (KJLS), the student-run morning video announcement program, has been advocating the change during morning announcements. The practice is not likely to spread to Palo Alto’s high schools.