Posted on 02/27/2008 4:56:15 AM PST by E Rocc
PARMA, Ohio -- A kindergarten student with a freshly spiked Mohawk haircut has been suspended by school authorities who said the hair was a distraction for other students.
Michelle Barile, the mother of 6-year-old Bryan Ruda, said nothing in the Parma Community School handbook prohibits the haircut, characterized by closely shaved sides with a strip of prominent hair on top.
"I understand they have a dress code. I understand he has a uniform. But this is total discrimination," she said. "They can't tell me how I can cut his hair."
An administrator at the suburban Cleveland charter school first warned Barile last fall that the haircut wasn't acceptable. The school later sent another warning to her reiterating the ban.
Mohawks violate the school's policy on being properly groomed, school Principal Linda Geyer said. Also, the school district's dress code doesn't mention Mohawks, but it does allow school officials to forbid anything that interferes with the conduct of education.
Ruda's hair became a disruption on Thursday when Ruda arrived freshly shorn, Geyer said. Administrators called Barile on Friday telling her to pick Ruda up from school.
"This was his third infraction," Geyer said Tuesday. "We felt that we were being extremely patient."
Rather than request a hearing to appeal the suspension, Barile said she'll enroll him at another school. Changing the hairstyle is not an option, she said.
"It's something that he really likes," Barile said. "When people hear Mohawk, they think it's long, it's spiked, it's crazy looking, and it's really not."
Must not have took dress codes including hair styles are a norm here in Texas.
>>Since this is a charter school, do they have the right to monitor haircuts and clothing?<<
Yes!
This is absurd on every level.
The kid is going to be the big loser.
LOL I misread the title and thought he had a tomahawk. I was expecting this to be some kid playing cowboys and Indians and getting suspended for a weapon. It’s a haircut.
It’s only 8:30, it’s gonna be a LONG day.
I’ve seen Dan Rather with worse hair.
I agree with the Sgt. If this is so bad then the next kid or teacher that showed up with messy uncombed or wind blown hair should be suspended as well. Anyone have an email for this tyrant principle?
It’s a Charter School. While considered a Public School, they set the rules on appearance. It’s a really good thing.
The mother wished to draw attention. She got it.
The mother wished to draw attention. She got it.
Well, it's not really a "situation" until a parent disagrees. So, by definition, what you say is true.
The case in fact is that many schools, like many FR threads, are full of folks who seek control for the sake of control. For many, being an ed-du-cah-tor is a head trip.
Is there a difference between a charter school and a public school?
Put him in a dress; they’ll not only reinsate him, they’ll build a bathroom for him as well...
Before you get on the Principle, please understand that this is a charter school. The mother has a choice to send her child there and follow the rules or not.
She took him out to a District school because she has no leg to stand on.
Add in 15 square foot of traditional tattoos and a big Harley and there you are
The mother is the problem.
Gotta wait on the Harley. Divorce cleans out the bank account rather quickly.
And I even served in the Navy, but never got a tattoo.
Yes, because we all know how important it is to express one's individuality through one's dress and body modifications.
Actually, that's kind of the definition of superficial.
Yeah, sure “it’s a good thing” ~ just like in “It’s a Good Life” by Jerome Bixby.
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