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If you don't know what Silly Bandz are then you probably haven't hung around children recently. These silicon rubberband-like bracelets are the latest kid craze sweeping Fairfield County. Over the last couple of weeks, these inexpensive multi-colored bracelets have popped up on the wrists of school children of all ages. What makes them unique is that Silly Bandz come in the shape of different objects and animals.
The fun part for kids is trading them: "I'll trade you a lion for a guitar." Kids often wear a dozen or so or each wrist so they need lots of different ones.
Seems like a harmless enough fad, right? Well, it is, except when Silly Bandz distract kids from learning in the classroom.
"The problems often arises when a trade goes bad," says Mynra Tortorello, prinicipal at Marvin Elementary School in East Norwalk. "I had to deal with an issue about an asparagus and an umbrella the other day."
Tortorello addressed the Silly Bandz issue with the whole school at this past Friday's assembly. "I told the kids that they could keep their bracelets as long as they did not become a distraction in the classroom. I've given the kids a trial period of three days to see if any problems arise. I really don't want to ban them. It seems like an innocent enough pasttime. Of course, if they become a real problem I may reconsider."
Dr. Dale Bernardoni, principal of McKinley Elementary School in Fairfield says, "There's always something that kids want to have, some fad like Pokemon or Webkinz. At least these are not terribly expensive." A pack of 24 bands runs $2.99.
Bernadoni says that elementary school principals in Fairfield have collectively discussed how to handle Silly Bandz in their respective schools. Each principal is taking a different approach. In some cases, principals are sending letters home asking parents not to allow children to wear the bands to school. Bernadoni has not taken this approach yet. "Until now, I have left it to the classroom teacher. If they are distracting, teachers ask children to put the bands into their backpacks. So far, it's been okay this way. The craze will change soon enough."
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