What's in your (school) bag? We asked 4 students and a teacher — and here is what they shared with us:
Devin Walsh | Kindergarten Teacher | Oak Grove Elementary
Q: What's your most useful item?
A: Laptop; I couldn’t get through a school day without it.
Q: Any snacks?
A: Not today, but last week I had a snackle box filled with goodies to share with teacher friends to help us get through long back-to-school meetings.
Q: Which one would you never leave home without, and why?
A: Flair pens are essential for filling out paperwork, doodling during meetings, and scoring student work.
Q: What does your bag say about your week right now?
A: It will be busy, it will probably require extra energy, and it might end with a headache. ;)
Q: What's the oldest thing in there?
A: Glue sticks; I brought them home to complete a project last year and never took them out.
Q: If you could keep only three things, which would stay?
A: Laptop, glasses, and Tylenol
Q: Is there anything you carry for someone else?
A: I often carry candy/snacks to share with my team during meetings. Hot tamales are a must!
Q: Could anything in there help others have a better day?
A: Tylenol and energy drink packets
Q: What would surprise people most about what's in there?
A: The number of pens and pencils is obscene! No one needs this many writing utensils!
Bodie Crosby | Kindergrarten | Lauren Christian School
Q: What's in your bag?
A: My water bottle, my yoyos, my stuffies (Eagle and Spinosaurus), papers, my snack.
Q: What's your most useful item?
A: My water bottle in case I get thirsty
Q: Any snacks?
A: A meatstick and a cutie
Q: Which one would you never leave home without, and why?
A: My Slinky
Q: What's the oldest thing in there?
A: My yoyos
Q: If you could keep only three things, which would stay?
A: My stuffies (my eagle and my Spinosaurus), and my yoyos
Q: Is there anything you carry for someone else?
A: My Slinky.
Q: Could anything in there help others have a better day?
A: My Slinky. They can play with it so they can feel happy.
Q: What would surprise people most about what's in there?
A: Dessert. I want dessert in my bag.
Mav McCarver | 5th Grade | Petal Upper Elementary
Q: What's your most useful item?
A: A water bottle
Q: Any snacks?
A: No. Gum is not allowed 🙄
Q: Which one would you never leave home without, and why?
A: My water
Q: What does your bag say about your week right now?
A: Failure
Q: What's the oldest thing in there?
A: Silica packet I have yet to take out
Q: If you could keep only three things, which would stay?
A: Pencils, the silica, and water bottle
Q: Is there anything you carry for someone else?
A: Pencils
Q: Could anything in there help others have a better day?
A: Yep. The pencils. And the gum before they banned it.
Q: What would surprise people most about what's in there?
A: Silica
Sophia Stewart | 7th Grade | Petal Middle School
Q: What's your most useful item?
A: Chromebook
Q: Any snacks?
A: White cheddar Cheez-Its
Q: Which one would you never leave home without, and why?
A: My phone so I can always communicate with my parents
Q: What does your bag say about your week right now?
A: That I have volleyball practice
Q: What's the oldest thing in there?
A: We bought all new stuff for school so nothing
Q: If you could keep only three things, which would stay?
A: Chromebook, volleyball practice clothes, deodorant
Q: Is there anything you carry for someone else?
A: No
Q: Could anything in there help others have a better day?
A: I do keep medicine just in case
Q: What would surprise people most about what's in there?
A: My secret stash of squishies
Meredith Hylender | 12th Grade | Oak Grove High School
Q: What's your most useful item?
A: My most useful item is my computer!
Q: Any snacks?
A: No snacks, just gum and water
Q: Which one would you never leave home without, and why?
A: Probably chapstick. Chapped lips are terrible!
Q: What does your bag say about your week right now?
A: My week is full of joy but a little messy.
Q: What's the oldest thing in there?
A: Oldest thing? Probably my folder.
Q: If you could keep only three things, which would stay?
A: Chapstick, my computer, and my water bottle
Q: Is there anything you carry for someone else?
A: Nothing for other people in there.
Q: Could anything in there help others have a better day?
A: I think my Bible could make others have a great day!
Q: What would surprise people most about what's in there?
A: I think I seem very organized, but if people opened my backpack, they would see that isn’t always true!
What's in your bag? Here's how you can use your random stuff to encourage others.
6 Encouraging Items to Start Carrying in Your Bag:
- Extra snacks — Granola bar, fruit, gum — if your school allows it! ;) Share when someone's hungry, stressed, or just because.
- Headphones or earbuds — Let someone borrow them for a rough moment or study session.
- A pen that works — Saves someone in class or in a meeting. Sounds small; feels huge.
- Hand lotion or a spare chapstick — Tiny comfort things for yourself and others.
- Sticky notes or a small notepad — Quick encouraging notes, reminders, or just something to doodle on with someone who needs to decompress.
- A phone charger or charging cable — A practical lifesaver for the moment someone's battery is dying.