Hatters Gonna Hat: MRHS Changes Restrictions Regarding Head Coverings
Beginning November 10, 2021, the head coverings policy is at the discretion of the classroom teacher. According to an email sent to all of the MRHS staff from Mr. Evans on November 9, 2021 6:46 PM, this means students will no longer be asked to remove any head covering in the hallways, the Commons (lunchroom), or other common areas. However, teachers will determine if they want to allow head coverings in their individual classrooms. If the teacher chooses to not allow head coverings, he/she has the authority to enforce that. If a student does not comply with the teacher’s rule to remove the head covering, the teacher will submit a Discipline Form for insubordination. The disciplinary consequences will be as follows:
1st Offense – Teacher Detention
2nd Offense – Office Detention
3rd Offense – In School Suspension
4th Offense – Out of School Suspension
Within this email, Mr. Evans also notes that over 70% of teachers were in favor of making head coverings a classroom decision. Mr. Evans said he thinks most teachers do not care about the head coverings being worn in class.
Since the start of the school year, Mr. Evans says that few students have been written up because of this rule.
Mr. Evans said the reason the rule existed was because “head coverings have long been considered a sign of disrespect when worn inside buildings.” He says the push to change the policy goes to the student body— “For many of our students, wearing a head covering provides a level of security and comfort. Monmouth Regional is a place where we want all students to feel safe and comfortable” he said.
Responses to a Falconaire poll gathering student reaction to this change with 186 responses showed that many people wore head coverings to do just that: feel safe and comfortable. Whether they are covering up a recent bad haircut or needing an extra layer of warmth in a cold classroom, students say they feel they need head coverings.
There were many steps needed to be taken in order to approve this change. Mr. Evans said “School rule changes are at the discretion of the principal and his/her designees. However, our teachers are included in the decision making process when we are dealing with something that can have an impact on their classroom.”
Student Reaction
To gauge the student body’s response to this change, the Falconaire surveyed 186 MRHS students. 40.3% were seniors, 20.4% were juniors. 3.2% were sophomores, and 36% were freshmen.
48.4% of the students claimed they never wore head coverings throughout the school day before the rule was changed. However, 61.7% said they consistently saw other students wearing head coverings. Within this, 39.5% said they consistently saw other students got penalized and 22.2% said they rarely saw other students get penalized.
Now that the rule has changed, 54.6% of those surveyed plan to occasionally wear hats, hoods, or other head coverings. Most people are either satisfied with the outcome (43.5%) or feel unaffected since they do not really care if the rule has changed (36%). However, 19.9% are disappointed as they feel there should be absolutely no rule while 0.5% feel there should be a stricter rule.
Lastly, while 59.6% of students believe there should be absolutely no rule, some students brought up interesting factors like the use of inappropriate language or graphics and refusing to remove it during the pledge, which they feel would be a disrespect to the flag. Additionally, head coverings would allow students to discreetly use their headphones or AirPods during class.
Teacher Reaction
When addressing the new rule most teachers say they don't really care if a student wears a head covering in class. Sra. Bayle said “Personally, I couldn’t care less”.
However, students do still see this rule being enforced in some classrooms. Sophomore Kyle Caraballo knows of at least six different teachers who still enforce the no head coverings rule.
Dress Code Overall
The survey also asked students their opinions of the school’s dress code. 47.3% of students feel the school and teachers should have absolutely no say regarding what a student chooses to wear. 37.9% think the school should have some say, but not when it comes to head coverings. 12.6% think the school should have some say including head coverings. 2.2% think the school and teachers should always have a say regarding what a student chooses to wear.
Students interested in the dress code are encouraged to attend the next PSAC (Principal Student Advisory Committee) meeting on January 28, 2022, after school in the Schleig Conference Room.