OK people lets get real and judge this case on the facts and circumstances as they exist in the real world.
These are sixth graders and we are trying to teach them music. In the real world teaching sixth graders only happens in an environment of discipline.
Discipline goes out the window when you start making exceptions for individuals. Either everyone is the same or everyone is different.
Also if you remember the sixth grade as I do anyone who could be singled out became a target. It may end up being a mercy they did this girl by not letting her have her special violin.
If there is no rule that says all of the instruments have to meet certain specific criteria, it is not “good discipline” to come in and make a rule that applies only to the one student. IMHO, Another element of teaching music to children involves some flexibility. What do you do if someone is out the day of the concert? Someone skips a page in the sheet music? Is it all over, give up, go home? Or do they try to improvise and do their best?
Except there's no exception here; the instrument is the person's own, not the schools. (And a previous poster indicated that the students themselves buy their instruments, therefore there is no irregularity.)
Your argument is like saying that because someone shows up to gym class with green socks [and everyone else has white] there is no discipline; that's just ridiculous.
when kids then and now buy instraments they can buy from the school suggested outlet or go off on their own.
Her grandmother bought it, that makes it a gift worth more than gold.
Also the discipline is for the result not the appearance. She was not using a mohawk and goth outfit.
If there's no rule, then no exception is being made.