Students allowed to wear hats in 2018-19

With the start of the 2018-19 school year, students are now able to wear hats and sweatbands at school. The new rule clears up some confusion from the last few years after the rules changed several times

“The code of conduct is meant to maximize the student’s educational opportunity in the building, and we just didn’t see hats really being a distraction. We want to give back to the students as much as we can while staying within our goals which is learning and preparing students for college,” said Principal Mr. Derrick Maxwell.

Before the 2018-19 school year students weren’t allowed to wear hats, hoods, or headbands during the school day. Hats were not even allowed in the hallway. Now students can wear hats all over campus, but it’s up to teachers to allow students to wear them inside classrooms.

Mrs. Mary Lynn Zimpfer, science department, had to adjust her approach to hats as a result of the new rule.

“Historically I have made students take off hats, but since they are being allowed I’m not doing it anymore,” Zimpfer said. “I changed my mind because they are allowed to wear them other places on campus, and it wasn’t worth it to me have a kid mad at me because I would be one of the only teachers to make them take it off. I did not want students to think I was being unfair.”

“I do believe in enforcing the policy. It’s my job, I feel like sometimes wearing your cool hat can make you behave differently instead of behaving like a student, and that’s a problem sometimes,” Zimpfer said.

To Zimpfer, hats are more controversial than they are trivial.

”I don’t really think they are that many advantages other than students are able to express themselves and dress the way they want and therefore they feel more comfortable, and I want students to feel comfortable but I want them to feel like a student first,” she said.

Ms. Jadzia Hutchings, 10th grade math teacher, allows hats in her class.

“I really don’t care as long as they wear it right. You can learn something just by looking at someone with a hat on. It helps me learn more about my students,” said Hutchings.

Principal Maxwell played a lead role in the decision to welcome back hats.

“It cleared up some bad energy between some students and teachers. We are selling hats, and I would like to see students wearing them in the halls. I just ask that the students will respect their teachers rules and opinions so if they ask them to take them off they should do it,” said Maxwell.

While administration decided to allow hats, bandanas are still banned because of possible gang affiliation. Additionally, no inappropriate images or messages can be displayed on hats.

Moises Galdamez, 10th grade, can sometimes be seen sporting a hat. To Galdamez hats are a part of his outfit.

“If you had a bad haircut or hair day you can hide it with a hat. If you wear a hat it can make you feel good about yourself, and some hats can match with your outfit too,” said Galdamez.