Dec. 21, 2007: Hooded sweatshirt ban a heated topic

[Record-Journal]

MERIDEN — Disgruntled middle school parents and students are looking to challenge a ban on hooded sweatshirts.

“I’m 100 percent against this enforcement,” said Cathy Lewis, a mother of a Lincoln Middle School student. “They are punishing the wrong kids.”

Starting in January, students at Lincoln will not be allowed to wear hooded sweatshirts to school.

Hooded sweatshirts were banned at Washington Middle School earlier this year, but the restriction will be new to Lincoln.

“I wear them almost every day,” said Alexia Gialelis, a Lincoln student. “I think the whole thing is stupid.”

The Board of Education’s dress code policy does not specifically ban hooded sweatshirts also known as hoodies but states that all headgear, including hoods, is prohibited.

The headgear must be kept out of sight in school buildings and must be placed in lockers, the code states. The code gives school principals some discretion, allowing individual schools to have stricter rules.

The dress code is enforced and is meant to make sure the school environment is conducive to learning, said Jeffrey Villar, associate superintendent for instruction.

Hooded sweatshirts are an issue only at the middle school level, Villar said. Villar said both principals said students wear the hoods over their heads in school buildings, which is against the dress code.

This hides students’ identities and gives them an opportunity to conceal iPods or other devices, Villar said.

“This is not surprising of students in middle school, but it has created a disruption,” he said.

Lincoln Principal Leo P. Lavallee and Washington Principal Jean Privitera could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The school system should focus on dealing with the students who conceal items while in the classroom rather than take something away from everyone, Lewis said.

“To blanket everyone into the same category is unfair,” she said.

School board member Scott Hozebin also questioned the ban this week, asking whether a policy that bans some items in one school, but not another, is most effective.

“When there is ambiguity in the use of policy, that’s when we create discrimination,” he said.

Board President Mark A. Hughes, who was chairman of the board’s dress code committee when the code was revised in 2005, said the policy is universal in use.

Dealing with different age groups must be taken into consideration, he said, standing by the code.

Mayor Mark D. Benigni, also an educator, weighed in on the controversy Thursday, questioning the ban.

“It makes no sense at all to ban hooded sweatshirts,” he said. “The focus needs to be on teaching and learning, not on mandating dress attire. It’s just an utter waste of time, money and resources.”

Board member Robert E. Kosienski Jr. said he has received several phone calls from concerned parents.

Donna Mordarski, a parent of a Lincoln student, contacted Kosienski, looking for clarification.

Mordarksi found out about the hooded sweatshirt ban from Lincoln’s newsletter and said she wondered why the sweatshirts were considered outerwear, adding that they are typically worn beneath outerwear.

“The kids wear these sweatshirts to keep warm in school, especially during the winter months,” Mordarski said.
Lincoln student David Donahue agreed.

“We wear hoodies every day,” he said. “I don’t have enough room in my locker to bring a jacket home every day.”

Mordarski said students who exhibit distracting behavior should be dealt with accordingly, but those who obey the rules and only wear sweatshirts for warmth should not be penalized.

She also said it is too late in the school year for schools to change or reinterpret the dress code policy because parents have already purchased clothing for their children.

It is hard to find clothing without hoods for children, Lewis said.

Lewis and Mordarski will work together to organize parents.
“There are a lot of parents out there,” Lewis said. “There is a lot of grumbling.”

[BillCarson436]

Hello...

WHY have not Meriden School's ended all these stupid parent / student
clothing disputes once and for all and moved in the direction of standard
UNIFORMS ?

That would FOREVER end these childish arguments over what is " proper "
school attire.

Just do it.

PS... I could NOT agree more... hooded sweaters are for lazy ass kids
and parents too " buisy "to buy proper clothes or too lazy to do a load
of wash. Actually... it's the parents fault for allowing them to dress like
this and sending them off to school looking like bums. IMHO

[eds]

YES YES YES !!!! UNIFORMS!

Finally somebody said it.

Shirts and ties for boys. Skirts and blouses for girls. It's time our children started dressing appropriately and preparing them for the business world. Casual dress leads to a casual attitude about life. Proper attire for the task at hand is in every profession from mechanic, carpenter, to doctors and lawyers. Steel toe boots and long pants are pretty common on job sites due to OSHA. Its called proper attire.

Besides, there are other ways to keep warm in school. Put on a sweater. Some school uniforms actually include a sweater during winter.

If people would learn to keep their homes at a reasonable 62-65 degrees instead of 72 then kids would be used to a cooler environment. People these days jack their heat up and their body never gets used to the cooler temperatures.

As I understand the schools are kept around 65. That's plenty warm.

I also think that kids need to eat right and get more exercise. The inability to regulate one's body temperature is a health condition caused by improper diet, too much sugar, and lack of activity which leads to the inability to maintain the proper metabolism.

The hooded sweatshirt has nothing to do with warmth. They happen to be the "in" thing. If they suddenly became uncool, no one would wear them even if they froze to death. How do I know this? I see some kids outside waiting for school buses without hats or jackets, wearing mini skirts, or other inappropriate winter wear just to be "cool". And they stand their shivering their butts off.

Kids should wear a hat outside then take it off inside. A hooded sweatshirt does not keep your head warm. It makes you "cool".

[Jack357]

We need to bring them back to our schools!

It high time that parent's stand up and tell their kids what they need to do. To often I see kids telling their parents what they are going to do and then stand there and ask their parents what they are going to do about it.

Kid's today rule the the roost not the adults. Today when parents try to enforce things on their kid' the kid turns around and threatens to report them for abuse, and the parent cowar's. Today's parent's are nothing nothing but a bunch of COWARD'S. It's time for parent's to get off of their cell phones, turn off the video games and the T.V. and start raising their kids.

This country is rapidly going to hell in a hand basket and it is not because of politicians or any other part of government, it is because parent's no longer want to raise their young they think it is up to the schools and the teachers and when the kid's complain about what the system puts into place then the parent's stand up for the kid's instead of what is right and best for the country as a whole.

[anieves]

To many parents want to govern the schools. When we send our children to school we are giving permission for these administrators and teachers to educate our children. Give the trust and respect they deserve to do that. Stop worrying about petty stuff. Let them use what tools they need to get their job done. If it means uniforms, no hoodies, so be it.

[eds]

If I had my way they'd get federal and state holidays, 2 weeks vacation per year and in school the rest of the time. Year-round schooling, uniforms, and all day kindergarten. Maybe then the kids will do better with reading and writing.

[Dkorman]

I believe in the school uniform. my daughter is at a magnet in New Haven and the uniform makes it a great place for her to study. No more gang colors, no ipods, no who has more money. It puts everyone on an equal playing ground.

[eds]

I re-read this again and some things have come to mind.


Lewis and Mordarski will work together to organize parents.
“There are a lot of parents out there,” Lewis said. “There is a lot of grumbling.”


Why can't parents organize together and start doing homework with their children, checking their report cards, proof reading their assignments, and getting involved with their child's education.

Why can't parents make sure their children don't grow up watching the Spears' family run amok? Or, oh, I don't know, how about banding together to keep all those crappy video games like Halo 3 out of the hands of minors?

Why is this even an issue? Is this what the brains of Meriden have determined to be their rallying cry, "We want hoodies!".

Low grades, poor attendance, and mediocre test results are the issues that should be energizing parents to band together, not "hoodies".

[jma]

Uniforms are the ideal solution to many of the schools problems. It would certainly promote a more respectful atmosphere. It's such an obvious solution, I'm amazed the Board of Ed hasn't done it yet. What's the problem, people??

[collie]

Mordarski and Lewis organized once before - when they formed the "Buddy Reader Program." Starting with one school, I believe the buddy reader program is in four elementary schools now. Perhaps you have heard of the program - primarily retired people go into the schools and children read to them to enhance reading skills. Mordarski and Lewis have done a great job with the Buddy Reader's Program. I remember donating a lot of new children's books to them some years ago. So I wish them well with their new endeavor even if (GASP!) it involves hoodies. And for those advocating uniforms in public schools - hasn't helped in Waterbury at all, only increased suspensions and detentions, no improvements in grades, etc. last I heard.

[BillCarson436]

Hello again...

I've been told that the reason that " hoodies " are so popular in schools
has NOTHING to do with fashion....

It's a means... to listen to headphones and go un-noticed by teachers.

Any children or teachers reading should add their 2 pesos...lol

PS... I thought I'd get beat up in here for mentioning " uniforms " but...
that is the simple solution.

Slacks... shirts and white blouses with skirts ( below the knee )

Easy to regulate and will NOT break the bank of those "poor" parents that
CAN and DO afford expensive sneakers... audio devices...and cell phones
for their poor deprived childrens.

Just do it... initiate a uniform policy next year !!!!

PPS... this will also take care of that Halloween Costume issue next year as
as well.

It's SCHOOL.... not MTV fashion World

[eds]

Mordarski and Lewis organized once before - when they formed the "Buddy Reader Program." Starting with one school, I believe the buddy reader program is in four elementary schools now. Perhaps you have heard of the program - primarily retired people go into the schools and children read to them to enhance reading skills. Mordarski and Lewis have done a great job with the Buddy Reader's Program. I remember donating a lot of new children's books to them some years ago. So I wish them well with their new endeavor even if (GASP!) it involves hoodies. And for those advocating uniforms in public schools - hasn't helped in Waterbury at all, only increased suspensions and detentions, no improvements in grades, etc. last I heard.

Uniforms do not improve grades the same way adding pepper to soup does not make better soup. Like a recipe, the outcome of education results from a combination of all ingredients creating synergy. Dress code and uniforms are but one ingredient.

I am glad at least these parents organize for more worthy causes.

[collie]

The Meriden BOE reviewed implementing uniforms some five? years ago - at the helm of the uniform movement was Cathy Abercrombie, before she became state rep. Those pro uniforms relied heavily, as I recall, on the uniform policy adopted in Waterbury. Which has improved nothing as far as I know. The BOE utimately, after much public comment and involvement, ruled against uniforms in the public schools. Instead, I think it was Mark Hughes, worked on a dress code policy that would be "uniform" in that it would be consistent in all the schools in the city. Again, there was public input involved and the BOE made sure the policy was well advertised some months before it went into effect. I think the hoodie situation is just ironing out the kinks. All five of my children went, two still in, to Catholic schools in Meriden for K-8 and then onto public high school. So I am in a unique position I think to compare the education received in both settings. EDS is correct in the sense that it takes more than uniforms to make a successful school. My children enjoyed, on average, class sizes of twelve students in Catholic school. They were also taught religion, learned a second language and put to work in ways public schools cannot do. For example, older students responsible for monitoring younger ones at lunch time. It isn't really fair to compare but magnet schools that achieve the same results also do a lot more than simply implement a uniform policy. Amistad School in New Haven has uniforms but also instituted a heavy college prep curriculum strong on English and Math.

[Eastside Bill]

Why wouldn't banning the wearing of the hood in the hoodie be sufficient? I completely agree that the hoods should not be worn in school (and nor should hats in most circumstances, but that's another topic) but why ban the wearing of the whole garment when it is just the hood that is causing the problem? I'm sure there may be a good reason, but I would think in most circumstances, an enforced "no wearing of hoods" should suffice.

[moms2cents]

Why all of the sudden is there a problem? This dress code has been in effect for years and it was fine for the first part of the year. Everyone keeps saying hooded sweatshirt, what about lightweight cotton shirts with hoods, or sweaters with hoods. Of course there are several reasons why the hoods should not be placed on the head during school, however, what's the problem with the garment being worn with the hood down?

Why haven't we heard anything from the principal other then "it's disruptive to the education process" and "we're following Washington?" What's disruptive? The ipods - take the ipods away.

With the temperatures in the classroom ranging from 65 to 75, it's nice to allow our children to dress in layers - a short sleeve shirt with a sweater or sweatshirt over it.

The parents who allow their chlidren to wear hoodies, do check homework daily. Their children are on the honor rolls, do community service, and participate in after school activities.

Why does the BOE state it's the discretion of the principal? If it's a citywide dress code then it should apply to all schools, all levels.

Ms. Mordarski is a upstanding member of our community who has spent countless hours improving the lives of the children in Meriden (Buddy Reader Program and as PTA President)- she, as well as most of the parents who are against the ban, does NOT spend the day chatting on her cell phone and watching tv as suggested by a previous writer.

[KleineP]

to school almost every day when he goes to TEMS. He's not allowed to wear the hood in school, a rule that seems to work fine. I like the fact that he can wear the hood as he walks to and from the bus stop.

[eds]

Wearing the garment with the hood down might work but create an enforcement issue. That's why regular hats are required to be left in the locker out of sight.

Teacher would have to constantly go up to students and demand the hood be removed, then once out of the sight of the teacher, the hood magically goes on again. The process is repeated over and over.

I do not believe anyone is saying that a hooded garment cannot be worn on or at the bus stop or walking to and from school. I believe what the rule is saying, is that the garment must be removed and placed into the locker out of sight once in the building.

The issue with the students is that they want to keep them on to be able to wear the hood "to keep warm" in the alleged "arctic" conditions of schools.

So just remove the garment. Issue solved. Though it probably is not.

[rapuda]

I have to agree with Eastside Bill, moms2cents, and KleineP. Why the whole garment? My kids love their hoodies. They have hooded sweatshirts, hooded shirts, and hooded jackets. A lot of the clothing in their closests is hooded. Both get good grades and stay out of trouble. To say take off anything that has a hood is a bit extreme. If it were a winter jacket, fine. Put it in the locker. But what about a shirt? Should I just donate them all to charity?
I understand what eds said about the enforcement issue, but it's that way with many things in our society. Wear your seat belt. Helmets on when riding a bike. Don't run in the halls. All enforcement issues. The principle can have an assembly and tell everyone that if you wear your hood in the building you will receive detention, period. Eventually the policy will take hold and most of the students will conform. The ones that don't will be the troublemakers that find a way to complain about everything.

[eds]

To all the people whose children's wardrobes are filled with all things hooded, rapuda, et al., I have but one question.

Were these items purchased with the full knowledge that these articles were either about to be banned, or were banned? I wonder when this policy was annouced, when it goes into effect (Jan 1 08?). It seems to me that this policy was known prior to purchase. I may be wrong.

However, I believe notice was given with plenty of time to purchase new clothes without hoods. My point is that the policy is the policy. Whether hoods or hats or maybe in the future denims. Any group can certainly protest the policy, but I believe this policy was out there for quite some time prior to the deadline. Its the shock of parents that amazes me considering I believe this policy to be nothing new and the notice sent as more of a reminder than something new. It seems to have taken parents off guard like it was somehow meant to shanghai the wardrobes of parents everywhere.

Am I wrong about this notice?

Anyway... we will see how this pans out.

[collie]

Dress code policy for Meriden public schools is easy enough to access on the web. Appears that hoods must be "out of sight" while in the building. If it's a shirt, I guess it could be stuck down inside your shirt and then it's technically "out of sight." The policy places hoods in the category of headgear, as in hats, etc. Reading this part of the policy, I think those hoods are more the traditional kind attached to a warm outer wear sweatshirt. The word "hoodie" is not in the policy and I still think this is just a tweaking of a fairly new dress code policy. It is not World War 3 and hopefully does not continue to be an opportunity for some to denigrate Lincoln Middle School parents and their children. Glad to see someone else as offended as I was over what looked like the trashing of Mordarski and Lewis in the forum.

[Eastside Bill]

To all the people whose children's wardrobes are filled with all things hooded, rapuda, et al., I have but one question.

Were these items purchased with the full knowledge that these articles were either about to be banned, or were banned? .

For those families who hand older siblings' clothing down to younger siblings, the policy would have had to been announced years ago. Many kids (including mine) ended up wearing clothing that belonged to their older brother or sister. So not every hoodie in town is fresh off the rack.

The whole thing seems a bit of an overreaction by the school. Ban the wearing of the hoods, but not the hoodie itself. If the real problem is that it can conceal an ipod, well, ban the ipod. Considering some other fashion choices made by middle school kids (i.e. the sagged pants with boxers hanging out) this does not seem a critical battle to fight.

[moms2cents]

To answer some of the questions from eds -

Yes, the garments were purchased before this announcement came out.

Mr. Lavallee, Lincoln's principal, sent home a letter the end of November 2007stating that hooded garments were causing countless interuptions to the educational process. Several parents have asked both Mr. Lavallee and BOE members to advise us what these "interuptions" are. To the best of my knowledge no one has received a detailed answer - although there are rumors and assumptions, (most are ipods). The letter stated that after the 1st of the year "hoodies" would no longer be permitted. In the school's newsletter which came out mid-December, there is an article reminding parents that hoodies are banned.

My children have been wearing hooded garments for the past three years in the elementary and middle school levels and it's just now becoming a problem.

I have personally been told by BOE that "hooded garments" are NOT against the dress code policy and are at the discretion of the building principal.

[eds]

That does make it a bit clearer in my mind what actually happened.

Even with this in mind, I still am for the ban, and for uniforms.

[KleineP]

Wearing the garment with the hood down might work but create an enforcement issue. That's why regular hats are required to be left in the locker out of sight.

Teacher would have to constantly go up to students and demand the hood be removed, then once out of the sight of the teacher, the hood magically goes on again. The process is repeated over and over.

As I understand it, this is not the case at TEMS where the kids can wear hooded sweatshirts but not the hoods. Never once have I heard about a kid having to be repeatedly warned because of putting the hoodie back on. The kids know the rules and abide by them. My guess is that if a kid wears the hood, s/he actually gets in trouble - detention or whatever - so they know that the rule is a rule and they are inclined to obey.

It seems to me that adults and administrators often expect the worse from kids. So, rather than create a rule that allows kids to exercise some responsibility, administrators and adults choose to try to eliminate "the problem."

And then they complain about the way kids behave. It's ridiculous. Give them responsibility, enact reasonable logical consequences and most kids can figure this stuff out.

[Fit 2 Print]

I think kids are capable of far greater "maturity" than many seem to think. Yes, they will "fail" to act responsibly/maturely at times, but that's part of being a kid. We must be careful to prevent the school system from becoming a "police state" in which the student population must conform to excessive rules and undue punishment.

[eds]

Perhaps you both are correct. I do not give children any credit whatsoever and perhaps that is not always the best approach.

I do tend to focus on children as if they are in need of constant guidance. Children remind me of a camp fire. They need constant attention and if you turn your back in an instant things get ugly.

No matter how much experience any parent has, no one has the experience necessary to raise another's child. Each child is different so whatever experiences one parent has, are not applicable to another's children. Even siblings are completely different and parents of two or more children must use different techniques for each child.

My one size fits all approach is probably not the right thing.

Personally I think school should be more disciplined. There is a school in Harlem which has the Boys Choir of Harlem. http://www.boyschoirofharlem.org. They go to school for 10 hours a day, 8-6pm, and practice 3 hours per day at the higher levels, and 1 1/2 hours per day at the prep level. They go to school year-round.

To me school is not as much about fun, but more about learning and discipline. I also think every young person should spend at least 1 year in mandatory military service. It would do them well.

But that's just me and my crazy ideas.

[stepup]

January 2nd 2008 7:30pm
Board of Education building 3rd floor

hoodies is on the agenda to be discussed

Let's see how President Hughes handles this issue! After all he was the chair of the Dress Code Committee.

[collie]

I'm sure he'll handle it just fine.

[eds]

Lewis, who sewed the hood so it could not be used, seems to be on to a solution. But I would go one better and say cut it entirely off and then sew up the seam. It would look like any other shirt. Or will the school then analyze the material or look for former hoodies? Then that would be ridiculous.

While I agree with the decision, I think this compromise would be better. It solves the issues of the iPod/identity masking and also allows continued use of the garment.

[rapuda]

A good compromise would be to punish the kids that are breaking the rules, and allow the non-rule breakers to enjoy the clothes they own.

[eds]

Might work. Have to figure out how to keep track of the rule breakers.

Do they still make kids wear the dunce cap? :D

[collie]

I was surprised to read today that Mark Hughes thought parents had not approached the principal first, not worked the proper chain of command. It seems unlikely to me that these parents did not approach the principal first. Apparently the principal, as shown by the refusal to allow sewn-up hoods, is not willing to compromise at all.

[moms2cents]

I did contact the principal first after I received his letter in Nov. Mr. LaVallee commented in the letter that hoodies were against the dress code policy. When I brought it to his attention that hoodies were not against the dress code policy and that they were the discression of the principal and asked for specific reasons why the hoodies were being banned - his response was "We're following Washington".

At least when I contacted Mr. Hughes I got a decent response.

[Fit 2 Print]

Worrying about "hoodies" when education itself should be center stage is like straining at knats while swallowing camels...

[eds]

I believe I mentioned something to that effect, fit2print, with my comments regarding the analogy of pepper in soup being but one ingredient. Clothing is but one aspect of learning.

[MisterKaye]

This issue has really got out of hand. The Principal at Lincoln is more interested in this PBS program ( positive behavior support) that offers less dicipline and more verbal praise for students who break the rules. It's really sad that he is affraid to bring students to his office and dicipline them.

I think the Meriden Board of Ed should punish the students who break the rules. If they continue, expell them.

There are a few members who agree with this: Mr. Bruenn, Mr. Kosienski, Mr. Kogut, Mrs. Sokol and Mr. Hozebin. I hope Mr. Hughes will look to his board for their imput.

Thanks to Cathy Lewis and Donna Modarski for leading the charge to bring fairness to our middle schools!