Toys, Squishies, and Other Nonessential Personal Items
Posted Date: 10/29/26 (02:59 PM)
Donahoe Families,
We are reaching out with a friendly reminder regarding students bringing personal items to school, including toys, squishies, stuffed animals, and other items from home. Recently, we have noticed an increase in these items coming into classrooms. While we understand that students enjoy sharing their favorite belongings with friends, these items are increasingly becoming distractions from learning and, in some instances, creating disagreements and conflicts between students.
To help maintain a positive, focused learning environment, we ask that families support us by ensuring students leave toys, squishies, and other nonessential personal items at home. Unless specifically requested by a teacher for a classroom activity, these items should not be brought to school.
Please note that this expectation does not apply to fidgets or other tools identified as accommodations in a student's Section 504 Plan, Individualized Education Program (IEP), or Behavior Action Plan. We will continue to honor these accommodations to ensure students have access to the supports they need to be successful.
Additionally, we want to remind families of the following language from the HCPS Student Code of Conduct regarding personal belongings:
- "All personal belongings kept on school property (including on school buses and all other vehicles used for pupil transportation), brought to school-sponsored events, or brought to bus stops will be at the sole risk of the owner. HCPS will not accept responsibility for damage, loss, or theft of any personal belongings on school property, brought to school-sponsored events, or brought to bus stops. This includes damage, loss, or theft to bicycles, motorbikes, motorcycles, motor vehicles, musical instruments, cell phones, electronic devices, clothing, shoes, glasses, and all other personal belongings. Owners shall not assume that personal property will be replaced or repaired by HCPS."