How often should my kid bring home the school-issued laptop?

That really depends on your school's policy, which should be spelled out in the device agreement or handbook your kid brought home at the start of the year. Some schools require the laptop to stay at school except for specific projects, while others expect daily transport. I'd check that paperwork first, or shoot an email to the tech coordinator if it's unclear - they deal with this stuff constantly and can give you the exact rule. If your kid's supposed to carry it back and forth regularly, a padded sleeve or backpack with good support matters, especially if they're walking or taking transit.