Silly Bandz Ban at Some Syosset Schools

Kids of all ages are obsessed with them. Parents and grandparents are buying them like crazy. But the verdict with educators across the country is, "Not in my school," as they continue to ban Silly Bandz, the latest phenomenon in collectible toys. 

Who knew in this high-tech age that a simple colorful rubber band kids wear on their wrists that retain fun shapes when removed could cause such a stir? 

Although Syosset School Superintendent Dr. Carole Hankin's office said there was no official letter banning the Bandz district-wide, Syosset Patch was able to confirm that Robbins Lane, South Grove and J. Irving Baylis elementary schools have banned Silly Bandz from school premises. 

"I have like 42 of them. My favorite is the heart shape," says Alisha Saluja, a second grader at Baylis. "I'm sad that we can't wear them to school because the teachers say they're a distraction in class and we won't do our work." 

The distraction, teachers say, isn't just about bringing a toy to school. Swapping Bandz and wanting what other children possess also cause a ruckus. 

Silly Bandz, (www.sillybandz.com), distributed by a small company based in Toledo, Ohio, headed by Robert Croak, seemed to not expect this surge in demand. The fashion accessory, made of silicone and dye-molded in fun shapes like dinosaurs, western characters, rock bands, alphabet letters and rainforests, are selling in the millions. 

Traci Lester, manager of M.J. Beanz in the Plainview Shopping Center, says at first they had 10 packets of Silly Bandz on the shelf in November that just sat there week after week. 

"In March, all of a sudden everyone kept coming in buying Silly Bandz," Lester says. " We increased our order."

M.J. Beanz sold out of 1,200-1,500 within a week.  Lester, who now has four separate wholesalers in rotation supplying the store, was aware of the school ban on the toy three weeks ago, but hasn't seen any decrease in sales. 

"They're an inexpensive price point at $2.99 for 12 Bandz and $4.99 for 24. So parents feel, 'Let the kids have them.'"

Baylis fourth grader Eliza, who's up to 49 Bandz, favors the hedgehog and kangaroo and explains, "It wasn't so much that kids were throwing them at each other. It's more like anytime someone had Silly Bandz, we'd all gather around wanting to see what they had." Eliza said her best trade was a lobster for a penguin.

Even boys are buying the bracelets as if it is a hot commodity. Then there's the myth building.

"Apparently there are mystical Bandz," says Lester. "Kids have been coming in requesting the Phoenix, which is supposedly rare and brings good luck."

With the elementary schools schedule winding up this month, camp officials will be the next to decide if the bracelets stay or go.