August 2, 2023 Issue, Page 16 of 16

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10B August 2, 2023 How parents can pick the right backpack Students need many different supplies to help some may be better and safer for students than them move to the head of the class. Teachers others. Here are some considerations. frequently post lists online before school begins - Look for even, secure stitching that will not or advise students in the early days of the new come undone easily. Inexpensive backpacks may year. Therefore, parents may want to wait to go last a few weeks, but a more durable backpack can back-to-school shopping until they learn what's last the school year and beyond. needed. ‘There is one piece of gear, however, that - Pass up backpacks with frayed fabric edges students will definitely need: a backpack. that could unravel, says Consumer Reports. Backpacks have been helping students trans- Opt for backpacks with zippers that have fab- port books and other materials to and from ric flaps over them to keep water and other ele- school for decades. Backpacks are not a new in- ments out of the backpack, helping prolong its life vention, and they actually predate school. Otzi, a span. man whose mummified remains have been traced - Consider a synthetic material, which will be to the Copper Age, carried an animal fur rucksack lighter to carry and more resistant to water. during his travels. American Civil War soldiers Choose a backpack with lots of compartments carried bindles, and Henry Miriam developed one that can spread the weight of gear out across the of the first knapsacks for the U.S military in 1877. bag. It wasn’t until the late 1940s that kids started us- » Look for bags that have padded backs and ing backpacks for school, as more materials were straps. The padding should be ventilated, so the available to make these bags after World War II. backpack will not get very hot when the child is Backpacks are now ubiquitous on school campus- using it. es around the world. Karena Wu, a physical therapist and owner of Backpacks are available in many different sizes ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York, encour- and styles. Not all of them are created equal, and ages parents to choose backpacks with tapered straps that will conform better to their children’s student may overload it. Two reasons bodies. A waist strap can help keep the backpack - Many students now use laptops or tablets for centered on the child’s torso to help disperse the school. It is a good idea to buy a backpack that has good kids become load. + If the school allows it, a rolling bag is a great a padded pocket for tech devices to protect them bad students. way to prevent strain on the back. Verywell Fam- during transport. ily says children should carry no more than 15 Although it may not seem trendy to do so, percent of their bodyweight in the backpack. That backpacks should always be worn with all straps means a 60-pound child shouldn't carry more in place to distribute weight evenly; otherwise, 80% of learning than 9 pounds. is obtained through vision. Select a backpack that is sized accordingly to strain may be placed on one shoulder or side of Make sure your child has an the child. It may be tempting to buy the largest the body. This, in addition to choosing the right eye exam before starting school. one around, but that can be cumbersome and the backpack, can keep students comfortable and safe. Aschool screening is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam. Wz OK) 920 N Main Street Elk City, OK BINTZ & ELLIS 580-243-1121 DrsBintzAndEllis.com fa W 4 vy (Students is guy, gv e chers a More affordable & accessible than ever! Private Christ-centered SCHOOL YEAR 7-12th education Limited seats Apply now at cornbible.org WWW. CORNBIBLE.ORG J1... Find us online! Kluver's APPLIANCES & HOME FURNISHINGS kluvers.com Fi © CAFE Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1936 DISTINCT BY DESIGN™ — Great Plains Bank i= ted MEMBER FDIC Receive up to a $2000 rebate with the purchase ofselect Café™ appliance suite combinations from an authorized GE Reseller in the 50 U.S. States or D.C. 1300 S. Main St, Elk City -1-580-225-2265- 2017 W. 3rd St, Elk City July 1, 2023to December 31, 2023