Popular rubber bracelets causing a stir in schools

Silly Bandz, a popular fashion accessory, has been banned in school districts across the country, and at least one area principal has told students not to wear them to school.

Sharon Cagle, principal at Aiken Elementary, said she told students they could not wear the rubber bracelets to school because they have proven to be a distraction and a safety concern.

"It is just something kids were playing with this time of year. They have become like rubber bands, and they would shoot them at each other. It's a safety issue. It is just as simple as that," Cagle said.

Cagle broadcast the message to students in a recent morning's news segment.

She said parents have not contacted her about the issue.

Schools in Alabama, New Jersey and Tennessee have banned the silicone bracelets because students were snapping, flicking, trading and arguing over them too much, according to The Associated Press.

Silly Bandz are colorful silicone bracelets that mold into shapes, such as animals and letters of the alphabet, once they're taken off someone's wrist.

They appear to be an increasingly popular fashion accessory among children and young teens and come in sports, animal, Western, princess and rock shapes.

The bracelets even have a Facebook page and are reportedly selling out across the country.

Claire's in the Aiken Mall has them in stock, though.

"Actually, a lot of people are coming in to buy them," said Ashleigh Quattlebaum, a sales representative at Claire's in the Aiken Mall. "Most of them look like they're elementary and middle school students."

Quattlebaum said that the accessories retail for about $3.50 per pack, with 12 pieces per pack. Silly Bandz are also for sale at www.sillybandz.com.

Principals of other Aiken County Public Schools - at the elementary, middle and high school levels - reported that the issue has not surfaced. Several had never heard of the bracelets.

"We haven't seen it. We haven't had a problem with it so we don't have a policy against it," said Bryan Skipper, principal at South Aiken High School.

While some schools have not addressed Silly Bandz administratively, teachers have asked students not to wear them in their respective classrooms.