Daughter will be suspended over hair color

[CourtClerk]

I wish we could get those dress codes here in California. Something needs to be done about the baggy pants epidemic.

I live in CA, my child is schooled (obviously) in a CA public school. Here are excerpts from the school district dress code policy:

1. Shoes are to be worn at all times (no thongs, slippers or steel-toed boots).

2. Pants must be manufactured "waist appropriate" in size and must stay up without a belt and be no more than 2' below the waist line. (NO SAGGING.). No underwear may be exposed outside the pants. Pants/shorts must not be excessively baggy in the pant legs with no more than 5' of material able to be pulled away at the knee. Pants may not be split at the seams, cutout or slit or have frayed or cut hems, or be hemmed with "staples." Pants must be hemmed with stitches. No cutoff shorts that hang below knee with socks over calf.

3. Safety pins may not be worn to hem clothing or be used as makeshift jewelry, necklaces, or belts.

4. Belts may not hang with a "loose tail" style of any length, nor is cloth style with initialed belt buckles acceptable.

5. No long parka type jackets or oversized jackets. T-shirts must not extend past the student's fingertips.

6. Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarmets at all times. See-through or fishnet fabrics, halter-tops, off-the shoulder or low cut tops, bare midriffs and excessively short skirts and shorts are prohibited. Shorts, dresses, and skirts must reach the end of the fingertips, when arms are fully extended at the side. All tops must have straps that are 2 inches in width, not spaghetti or string straps. No revealing necklines or back lines. No bare midriff tops or tank tops. You may not wear any pajama apparel of any kind to school. This means no slippers, robes, and pajamas.
Students may not wear Pendleton shirts with the top buttoned or similar style, clothing jewelry or accessories that show alcohol, drug, tobacco, sex, gang activity, violence, ethnic slurring or weapon related paraphernalia, offensive or obscene symbols, signs, slogans degrading any cultural, religious or ethnic values, RAIDER, LA DODGERS or old-style KINGS logo apparel.

 

[TheGeekess]

Sounds like OP didn't know about the policy before she did it. Ignorance is no excuse, although I do think the school is blowing it out of proportion.

OP, I would suggest washing it out as another poster has previously stated and, if your daughter wants to get her hair streaked for times outsides of school, get one of the color wax products hair salons carry sometimes (PM me if you want a specific brand name). I use that type of product all the time to streak my hair blue, red, pink, etc for parties, and it washes out in the shower so I can look presentable for the office the next day.

Yes, it may be a violation of first/fourteenth amendments, but unless you have thousands upon thousands and lots of time to throw at such a lawsuit, it's probably not worth it.

For the fourth or fifth time .... Alabama public schools send home a copy of the Student Handbook (put out by the school district BOE) that outlines expectations of behavior, the dress codes, etc. There is a page that parents and students must sign and return to the school, stating that they have read and understood the Student Handbook. Therefore, Mom and Daughter have no excuse. Period.

 

[CourtClerk]

I will also say that when my child was in private school, his school had a strict policy that children's hair was only to be their natural color and boy's hair must not touch their shoulders. Boys were not allowed to wear mohawks, corn rows or anything else the school deamed as a distraction.

One of the school aides was also a student in barber college. If your son was in violation, you had 2 options. (1) come pick up your kid (2) we have someone here that will give him a haircut for you at a discount.

 

[AHA]

Sounds like OP didn't know about the policy before she did it.

See OP's post:

"My children go to a public school that has a strict uniform policy.They dictate everything that the children wear from the color of rubber bands in their hair,right down to the shoes. The shirts must not have more than 3 buttons, pants can't have a double stitched seam, no pockets on pants, belts can not be braided leather, socks must be crew length,etc.."

"The only reason that I did the highligts is because it's a small portion of her hair and it will wash out without causing damage."


I'd say she knew about the policy when she put her child in that school.

 

[Willlyjo]

Birmingham, Alabama BOE Dress Code:
APPENDIX V
BIRMINGHAM CITY SCHOOLS
Uniform Dress Policy
REVISED APRIL 2005
I. Statement of Policy All elementary, middle and high school students in Birmingham City Schools shall, within the parameters set forth below; enforce the mandatory uniform policy beginning in August 1996.
II. Conditions of Policy Students are required to dress in proper uniform attire. It will be the parents’ responsibility to ensure compliance with the uniform policy. All students who attend Birmingham City Schools must be in uniform.
1. All students will wear the designated school system attire. The clothing may not be altered by slits, cuts, holes, shredded hems, slashes, etc.
2. All students in Grades K-12 are required to use clear or mesh book bags/back packs only.
3. ID cards issued by the school are part of the required uniform and must be worn in a visible location above the waist at all times.
MANDATED ATTIRE - GRADES K-8
The designated uniform for students in Grades K-8 shall be:
Males:
• Solid white shirt with collar. No logos on the shirt other than the approved school logo. This must be a knit (polo) shirt, dress shirt, turtleneck, or mock turtleneck. The shirt must be uniform style. The shirt must be tucked in at all times.
• Navy blue or black pants, “walking” length shorts limited to 2” above the knee (NO DENIM).
• Sweaters - V-neck style, crew neck style, cardigan. No logos on the sweater. Solid Colors - Navy blue, black or white. No hoods may be worn during the school day. No logos on the sweaters.
• Solid black, navy, brown or white shoes with no markings in any color with closed toes and heels and matching shoestrings.
• Socks in solid colors of navy, black or white, visible above the shoes.
• Black, brown or navy belt.
• T-shirts worn under the uniform shirt must be solid white.

Females:
• Solid white blouse with collar. No logos on the blouse other than the approved school logo. This may be a knit (polo) shirt, blouse, turtleneck, or mock turtleneck. The shirt must be
uniform style. The shirt must be tucked in at all times.
• Navy blue or black pants, skirts, Capri pants, jumpers, “walking “ length shorts limited to 2” above the knee (NO DENIM).
• Sweaters - V-neck style, crew neck style, cardigan. No logos on the sweater. Solid Colors - Navy blue, black or white. No hoods may be worn during the school day. No logos on the sweaters.
• Solid black, navy, brown or white shoes with no markings in any color with closed toes and heels and matching shoestrings.
• Socks/tights in solid colors of navy, black or white, visible above the shoes.
• Black, brown or navy belt.
• T-shirts worn under the uniform shirt must be solid white.
• Solid navy blue or black shorts may be worn under a skirt provided they do not show.

MANDATED ATTIRE - GRADES 9-12
The designated uniform for students in Grades 9-12 shall be:
Males:
• Solid white or light blue shirt with collar. No logos on the shirt other than the approved school logo. This must be a knit (polo) shirt, dress shirt, turtleneck, or mock turtleneck. The shirt must be uniform style. The shirt must be tucked in at all times.
• Navy blue, black, or Khaki pants, “walking” length shorts limited to 2” above the knee (NO DENIM).
• Sweaters - V-neck style, crew neck style, cardigan. No logos on the sweater. Solid Colors - Navy blue, black or white. No hoods may be worn during the school day. No logos on the sweaters.
• Solid black, navy, brown, or white shoes with no markings in any color with closed toes and heels and matching shoestrings.
• Socks in solid colors of navy, black or white, visible above the shoes.
• Black, brown or navy belt.
• T-shirts worn under the uniform shirt must be solid white.

Females:
• Solid white or light blue blouse with collar. No logos on the blouse other than the approved school logo. This may be a knit (polo) shirt, blouse, turtleneck, or mock turtleneck. The shirt must be uniform style. The shirt must be tucked in at all times.
• Navy blue, black, or Khaki pants, Capri pants, skirts, jumpers, “walking “ length shorts limited to 2” above the knee (NO DENIM).
• Sweaters - V-neck style, crew neck style, cardigan. No logos on the sweater. Solid Colors - Navy blue, black or white. No hoods may be worn during the school day. No logos on the sweaters.
• Solid black, navy, brown, or white shoes with no markings in any color with closed toes and heels and matching shoestrings.
• Socks/tights in solid colors of navy, black or white, visible above the shoes.
• Black, brown or navy belt.
• T-shirts worn under the uniform shirt must be solid white.
• Solid navy blue or black shorts may be worn under a skirt provided they do not show.

Coats and jackets worn to school must be stored in lockers or other designated locations during the school day. Students sensitive to cold temperatures may include a sweater as part of the uniform as described above.

THESE ARTICLES OF CLOTHING OR STYLES OF DRESS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN WHILE IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING:
• DENIM PANTS, SHIRTS, SHORTS, SKIRTS OR JACKETS
• OVER-SIZED PANTS OR SHIRTS
• PANTS WORN BELOW THE WAIST OR “SAGGING”
• CARGO STYLE PANTS
• OVERALLS OR COVERALLS
• SWEAT PANTS OR SWEAT SUITS, JOGGING PANTS/SUITS, WARMUP PANTS/SUITS, ATHLETIC PANTS
• KNIT, NYLON, SPANDEX, BIKING OR GYM SHORTS OF PANTS
• SPANDEX, NYLON OR KNIT TIGHTLY FITTED CLOTHES
• SKIN TIGHT DRESSES OR TOPS
• TANK TOPS, TUBE TOPS, HALTER TOPS, MESH TOPS, MIDRIFF TOPS
• SLEEVELESS TOPS
• SHIRTS WITH RUFFLES
• SHIRTS MADE OF SHINY MATERIALS
• TEE-SHIRTS OR TALL TEES
• HOODED JACKETS
• SUNGLASSES
• FOOTLESS LEGGINGS / FOOTIES
• THONGS / SLIPPERS / SANDALS / BARE FEET / EXPOSED TOES OR HEELS
• CLOTHING OR OTHER ITEM WITH OFFENSIVE, LEWD, VULGAR, OBSCENE LANGUAGE, SLOGANS OR PICTURES
• BUTTONS, JEWELRY OR OTHER ACCESSORIES CONTAINING LEWD, VULGAR, OBSCENE OR OFFENSIVE MESSAGES OR PICTURES OR WHICH DVOCATE/ADVERTISE USE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL
• SECRET SOCIETY, FRATERNITY OR SORORITY SYMBOLS OR LETTERING
• ROLLERS, COMBS, OR COSMETOLOGY CLAMPS
• POUCHES
• SCARVES / HEAD RAGS /DOO RAGS / BANDANNAS/ SWEATBANDS / HATS /
CAPS OR OTHER HEAD COVERINGS
• VISIBLE UNDERGARMENTS
• CLOTHING ALTERED BY CUTS,
SLITS OR HOLES OR THAT IN ANY WAY EXPOSES THE SKIN
• DETACHABLE GOLD TEETH OR FANGS (UNLESS REQUIRED BY A DENTIST WITH WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION ON FILE)
• ANYTHING ELSE THE PRINCIPAL OR DESIGNEE DEEMS INAPPROPRIATE OR DISRUPTIVE OF THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/BirminghamCitySchools/BirminghamCitySchools/Departments/DocumentsCategories/Documents/SCC FINAL 2005 FOR JO HOLLINS.pdf

(Bolding added)

So, I guess Administration can do what they want.

Perhaps I missed it, but where in all of that did it say a student can't have barely noticable streaks in their hair? If there is nothing on the list preventing it then how can they enforce it?

 

[CourtClerk]

Perhaps I missed it, but where in all of that did it say a student can't have barely noticable streaks in their hair? If there is nothing on the list preventing it then how can they enforce it?

Right here:

• ANYTHING ELSE THE PRINCIPAL OR DESIGNEE DEEMS INAPPROPRIATE OR DISRUPTIVE OF THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

And let's not forget:

My children go to a public school that has a strict uniform policy.They dictate everything that the children wear from the color of rubber bands in their hair,right down to the shoes.

A school that dictates rubber band colors you have GOT to know dictates hair color as well...

 

[HomeGuru]

The OP just does not want to get with the program and is setting a bad example for the daughter.

 

[stealth2]

Something needs to be done about the baggy pants epidemic.

When my son was younger (i.e. when he wore pants that went by the 10-12-14 size rather than waist/inseam), I had a devil of a time finding pants that he could wear w/o a belt. And belts weren't "cool". All it took was my walking up to him one day, grabbing his jeans by the hips and pulling them down in one fell swoop. I then asked him - "How would you like it if that happened to you in school? Wear a belt!" He's worn a belt ever since. Seriously - all it takes is parents who will... parent.

As for the hair... I've always felt that if hair (and it's cut or color) were my biggest worries with my kids - I was in great shape. However... a lot of schools DO have restrictions. And so, I've let them know - if they choose to do something with their hair that goes against school policy... then they have to deal with the consequences.

This parent KNEW it would be an issue. She had to have. Just like I knew it would be an issue if my son wore a "Buck Foston" shirt to school. And just like he knew he'd have to deal with the repercussions if he chose to wear it anyway.

 

[TNBSMommy]

Our handbook states students hair shall not be an "unnatural" color. We also have strict dress codes that started this year, including polo shirts of certain colors, belts, no hoodies etc etc. My daughter dyes her hair every now and then, but as long as it is A natural color, no one has a problem with it. My issue here is you are teaching your daughter that authority figures in her life don't deserve respect and SHE should be able to do whatever she wants. You are her parent, not her BFF. My daughter threw a overly-dramatic-teenage-drama-queen-FIT when they put the new dress codes in place(which I was FOR btw) one of my daughter's "arguments" was "it doesn't allow me to express my individuality" I told her, she's more than welcome to do just that the day she graduates from High School. Until then she is under the control of myself and our county school board. And she RESPECTS the teachers, the principal and the vice-principals. And for the record, she's a straight A student in honor's classes and takes Gifted, and to date has never had a suspension, detention, or any such thing, and she still manages to follow the rules, b/c MOM tells her she doesn't have a choice.

And as someone else mentioned, a school that dictates what color rubberbands goes in a child's hair is SURE to have mention of the hair color. And since they more than likely do, it's as simple as that, she follows the rules, or rather, it SHOULD be as simple as that.