Whose side are you on?

[Planogirl]

I think all schools should have the right to set dress codes. Maybe they should be a little more specific in their rule book though.

 

[poohandwendy]

If it's a public school, I'm for the parents.

If it's a private school... well, they're free to set their own policies since it's not my tax dollars funding them.

Actually, public schools can set their own dress code policies too. All schools have an obligation to have a dress code, of some sorts.

This happened to be a public charter school, which kind of falls in the middle.

 

[pr surfer]

Actually, public schools can set their own dress code policies too. All schools have an obligation to have a dress code, of some sorts.

This happened to be a public charter school, which kind of falls in the middle.

Debatable Schools have no obligation to have a dress code.

The US was one of the ratifying parties of and is subject to the Universal Declaration of Human Rates (international treaty), which among its rights is the right to education. Suspending the student for noncompliance is in violation of his rights, which would take precedence to any petty rule, especially a nonviolent one at that.

Furthermore, education in the US is compulsory for all, with the age dictated by the state. The school could theoretically be in violation of truancy laws in its jurisdiction for refusing to admit a student based on this nonviolent offense.

Don't they teach civics anymore?

 

[drag n' fly]

Having worked with children my entire life and having three of my own I can honestly say I have never met a child who requested a haircut such as his. I voted foir the school because I honestly believe this has nothing to do about the boy and more about the Mother imposing her wishes on a little fella who just wants to fit in. She is even willing to disrupt his life and switch schools over a haircut, obviously not thinking in the best interests of the child.

 

[poohandwendy]

Debatable Schools have no obligation to have a dress code.

The US was one of the ratifying parties of and is subject to the Universal Declaration of Human Rates (international treaty), which among its rights is the right to education. Suspending the student for noncompliance is in violation of his rights, which would take precedence to any petty rule, especially a nonviolent one at that.

Furthermore, education in the US is compulsory for all, with the age dictated by the state. The school could theoretically be in violation of truancy laws in its jurisdiction for refusing to admit a student based on this nonviolent offense.

Don't they teach civics anymore?

Oh please. There is no part of this that would violate his rights to an education. Check your treaty and see.

No ones right to an education is being infringed upon. There is no reason this child cannot meet the dress code requirements or that the dress code is unreasonable. School dress codes are absolutely legal. And suspension for violating the dress codes- also legal. Schools don't need an obligation to have a dress code, they have the right to have one. They have an obligation to set a dress code if the educational atmosphere of the students could be disrupted by the attire or appearance of a student.

 

[pr surfer]

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 1969.

The court ruled 7-2 that public school officials could not censor student expression unless they could reasonably forecast that the student expression would cause substantial disruption or material interference with school activities or would invade the rights of others.

 

[KariC]

Well now, I feel that way about little redneck 6 year olds with mullets with little tails down the back. What the heck are they thinking? But it is their child and their decision, not mine.
To each his own.

hmmm....i agree. cut it already! (it distracts me )

 

[KariC]

If it's a public school, I'm for the parents.

If it's a private school... well, they're free to set their own policies since it's not my tax dollars funding them.

do you pay u.s. taxes in bvi? (just curious)

 

[Charade]

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 1969.

The court ruled 7-2 that public school officials could not censor student expression unless they could reasonably forecast that the student expression would cause substantial disruption or material interference with school activities or would invade the rights of others.

Apparently that's justification for their "petty" policy.

 

[DebbieW]

Okay, so maybe the policy isn't specific, but the school did make an attempt to work with the mother by informing her that the haircut was unacceptable. I think the bigger problem is the message it may be sending to the child -- that you don't have to abide by rules or listen to someone who is an authority figure. On the other hand, I'm sure we wouldn't have many of the freedoms we have today if someone hadn't challenged the system. I'm just someone who typically always follows the rules. Can't help it.

 

[DLBDS]

I'm for mom and son. Honestly, how long can a hair style be disruptive? After a few days, it's OLD NEWS!

 

[pr surfer]

do you pay u.s. taxes in bvi? (just curious)

Yes. A- I still derive some of my income from US sources, and B- The US still has a draconian practice of taxing its citizens abroad (I believe it's the only country that does so). I do get credit for tax paid to foreign countries from the IRS, so in the end I end up paying a smaller percentage to the US and I would if I had lived there. I get a refund from the individual states I file returns from, and that usually covers my fed obligations.

 

[Mr Man]

I voted for the school. School is about learning. I don't see a learning moment coming from the Mohawk. Nothing against the hairstyle. To each his own I say. Personally, if Mom feels so strongly about the haircut, she should get one herself, in solidarity with that young developing mind she has put in a difficult situation.

Hope the kid learns how to defend himself.....and quickly.....

 

[poohandwendy]

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 1969.

The court ruled 7-2 that public school officials could not censor student expression unless they could reasonably forecast that the student expression would cause substantial disruption or material interference with school activities or would invade the rights of others.

Ah, then I'm sure you are also familiar with this case, same year:

This court held in Ferrell v. Dallas Independent School District [citation omitted] * * * that it was proper for school authorities to establish rules and regulations in the interest of school management and this included a hairstyle regulation. We have not denied school authorities in this circuit the right to promulgate reasonable regulations concerning hairstyles. Such regulations and regulations which deal generally with dress and the like are a part of the disciplinary process which is necessary in maintaining a balance as between the rights of individual students and the rights of the whole in the functioning of schools. The touchstone for sustaining such regulations is the demonstration that they are necessary to alleviate interference with the educational process. Ferrell v. Dallas Independent School System, supra, at p. 703. That such regulations may be necessary and, if so, that they may be promulgated and enforced, is also clear from the tenor of Tinker v. Des Moines [Independent] Community School District, 1969, 393 U.S. 503, 89 S. Ct. 733, 21 L. Ed. 2d 731. Griffin v. Tatum, 425 F.2d 201, 203 (5th Cir. 1970).

 

[basas]

I'm 100% in support of the school. I would even support uniforms and stricter dress codes.

 

[pr surfer]

Okay, so maybe the policy isn't specific, but the school did make an attempt to work with the mother by informing her that the haircut was unacceptable. I think the bigger problem is the message it may be sending to the child -- that you don't have to abide by rules or listen to someone who is an authority figure. On the other hand, I'm sure we wouldn't have many of the freedoms we have today if someone hadn't challenged the system. I'm just someone who typically always follows the rules. Can't help it.

My story.

I was never a bad student. Presently, I have a 4.0 in Grad School (double masters, MFA/MBA), and am on my way to follow this with a JD. I graduated from college Summa Cum Laude- 3.98 GPA and perfect attendance. To this day I'm good friends with many of my professors., In high school I fluctuated between a 3.7-4.5 (weighted) through high school, but I missed quite a bit of class to go surfing. Prior to high school, I never had lower than a 3.5 GPA and can honestly only recall 4 occasions in which I missed class.

I was also always in the principals office. Never for any property damage, never for anything violent, never for anything illegal.

Always for insubordination, for dress code violations, and for "talking back" (fell under misc. rules). Mostly dress code. Showing up with green hair, wearing a legalize it t-shirt, and in general being myself.

My parents insisted on me being myself. They were by no means pushovers... on more than one occasion I was disciplined with a belt or an extension cord. However, my parents weren't cruel. They knew balance. I now know balance. They taught me that it is completely possible to question rules while remaining a functioning member of society. I thank my parents for that, for refusing to allow me to become just another sheep.

I spent a total of 53 days of my high school career suspended, whether in school or out of school.

Fast forward to today.

I took a peek at my classmates, and how they were doing now through some of the various online networking sites.

Out of my graduating class of approximately 400, less than 50 of us have completed our undergrad degrees. There are several that to this day are still in a community college and living at home (I'm 26 btw). Only 2 have completed their masters (3 in a year when I'm done ), and not a single one other than me can say that they're doing what they love doing. Not one of them can say that they're happy with the decisions they made in life (I asked them). They all followed the rules.

I am quite happy with the decisions I've made in my life, and although I have made mistakes, I have no regrets. I didn't follow the rules.

Not bad for a guy who spent 53 days suspended from school.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

The kid (or in this case it seems-the mom) can express himself in the summer. The rest of the year he should follow the rules determined by the school. Honestly, she is going to move him to another school, possibly inferior, over a haircut? I'm not that familiar with Charter schools, but aren't they the ones everyone tries to get their kids into?

 

[pr surfer]

Ah, then I'm sure you are also familiar with this case, same year:

And I still view it as a violation of civil liberties, as do many others, and I'm certain that a definition needs to be made on the topic of freedom of dress, as there is far too much inconsistency when such a decision is left at a local level.

"Je déteste ce que vous écrivez, mais je donnerai ma vie pour que vous puissiez continuer à écrire"
-Voltaire

 

[poohandwendy]

And I still view it as a violation of civil liberties

LOL

As interesting as your HS experience is, you can only speak from your biased perspective. Not of the perspective of the administration who dealt with you or the students who went to school with you. Your grades didn't suffer, but perhaps you actually distracted the education of your fellow classmates at one time or another? Unfortunately, one of the roles of the administration is to enforce the rules of conduct in the school. Bummer for the students who just want to be 'themselves' whenever they please. Good for the whole environment, which needs some structure in order to meet the needs of everyone.

Sad that your fellow HS students seemed to have such a poor educational experience and even now are unhappy with their choices. I am sure there are many things that factor into that.(wow, all of them are unhappy with their choices in their mid twenties? That is really tragic)

ETA, I also think there is a vast difference between a Hs aged kid arguing for their freedom of expression and a 6 yo kindergarten aged child. I think with the former, you may actually be talking about the personal expression of the student. I think with the case of the 6 yo, we are talking about the personal expression of the parent (at least in this case).

 

[Dismom+two]

If its not in the handbook...then I vote for the mother and son!!

My dh works in a private school where its IN the handbook about hair...I work in the public school, same city and there is actually a kid with a mohawk with no issues!!