You may be correct in your thinking. Maybe make it a weekly thing in your classroom to clear out backpacks of old papers, food wrappers, especially 4 month old yogurt, and other trash. It will teach your students to stay organized and hopefully make it a habit.

I know several families who do not pack or unpack their childs backpack. They ask them for their folders so they can sign them and check their homework. Then they expect the child the get their own backpack ready. They are trying to teach self help skills. I appreciate those parents a lot actually. Because we have a lot of students who act like they cannot do anything for themselves. I would not jump to conclusions. Reach out to the parent and make them aware so they can talk to their child. I would also mention to the child how that could have made them sick. However, if the parent seems to be uninvolved or intrested in the childs life or education, then I would observe and document incidents. It is easy to tell the active parents from the inactive ones.

When I was in 5th grade my teachers helped me organize my backpack and desk. My parents regularly checked, but I would mess it up on my own. They would come up to me with respect and ask if I needed help. Or just fix it for me. I would just ask the student if they need any help, or write a kind note home.

I would maybe bring it to the parents attention like others have said and I would also do what they said about cleaning out their desks and backpacks throughout the school year. You don't have to make a big deal about it just say that you would like to keep things neat and clean.

Something that you could to would be to send a letter or an email home talking about what you found in her backpack. I would just let them know that maybe they should check her backpack everyday after school because you send important things home

You can talk to the student and ask what's going on or you can always send a note home letting parents know about your concern.

I would suggest having an organization day either once a week or biweekly and help students clean out their backpacks, cubbies,and desks. This is a great way to see if students are showing parents homework and teaching organization skills.

talk to the student, and ask her why it was in there. Maybe send a note home, and if there is no response, you will get your answer to if they are checking her bag.

I would help the student clean up their backpack. Then maybe reach out to the parent about your concerns to make sure that they are involved in their students education.

I would first take this up with their parent via message asap. Let them know what you've found and express how important it is that they check the backpacks every single day because one day it could, unfortunately, be something even worse that they bring from home, something possibly dangerous to the student or those around them. If it proceeds, take it up with your higher ups.

Have the student bring home a progress report and have the parent sign it and return it to class the next day.