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The Rider Online | Legacy HS Student Media

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The Rider Online | Legacy HS Student Media

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Enforcing No Hats Rule Causes Bigger Distraction

Recent reinforcement of the no hat policy creates a more extreme punishment for a policy that should not even be in place. Normal hats, hoodies and beanies do not distract from classroom activities.

The student handbook states that students must not wear apparel that creates a distraction. Only abnormal hats like sombreros, top-hats and jester hats (especially with little jingly bells) create any sort of distraction. Since most students would never wear hats like those, normal caps and beanies should be included in acceptable attire, while the other crazy hats should be excluded under section eight of the dress code, banning extreme articles of apparel.

Hats do not cause more distractions than any other article of clothing. They are common anywhere people go. The attention directed toward hats is only derived from the administrations persistence in enforcing the policy. If hats were allowed and not constantly highlighted people would not even notice them. Introduced as a sign of respect in the 60’s, the no-hat policy has become outdated and irrelevant since then. A simple baseball cap or beanie certainly isn’t more distracting than bright red spirit shirts, giant letter jackets or revealing clothes that fit within dress code.

Additionally, the inclusion of hoodies in the enforcement does not even follow the student handbook. In fact, hooded sweaters and jackets aren’t mentioned in the dress code at all. It’s understandable that the administration would worry that gang related attire, or worse: concealed weapons, could be hidden within the large pockets and spaces of a hoodie or jacket, but restricting the wear of the hood will do little to alleviate those concerns. Besides, hoods help keep our heads warm in a cold building.

Even without changing the policy, the new punishment does not fit the ‘crime’. Confiscating the hats in addition to a two-hour D-Hall is far too extreme for wearing clothes that don’t even cause problems in the first place. The district should change this policy and allow the wear of hats.

View Comments (19)
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Comments (19)

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  • D

    dylanFeb 1, 2021 at 8:12 am

    bro i have the same issue all i have is a regular grey beanie that helps me feel secure cuz im a very insecure person and when somethings on my head i just feel better and then some random teacher comes up and disrupts the whole class to tell me to take it off like

  • B

    brendan a smithMar 5, 2020 at 1:00 pm

    i understand that wearing hoods in school isnt that big of a deal but you cannot say that wearing hoods wouldn’t be used to hide things like phones, air pods, and other things. almost everyone i know would use it for that reason.

  • M

    Malik R RobinsonAug 15, 2019 at 1:27 pm

    This is Malik Robinson from Oklahoma City at NorthWest Classen Highschool. I am a great student I do all my work and make great grades. This is the 4th day of school and I wanted to wear my hat to school and right as the day is about to end the assistant principal is like why don’t I stop this student from going to his class and bring him into my office so I can tell him to take off his hat then I ask why do I need to take my hat off she replied it’s the rules I say why she said because it’s a destruction and I’m going like who am I destructing no reply…. then she says it’s the rules just do it. So I’m sitting here like you are bringing me in here because my hat is distracting
    No one then she calls my mom and my mom says the same thing his hat is not distracting anyone. So I’m just here to say that OKCPS schools are just trying to keep the students from expressing themselves and ruining there education
    For no reason at all

  • O

    orlandoMar 13, 2018 at 5:03 pm

    yeah

  • M

    michaelMar 1, 2017 at 12:43 am

    I agree with you but most people want to be comfortable in school and want to express themselves and hats help them do that saying no hats is like saying no shirts it takes away something that helps people express them selves and alot of schools are priding them selves on students being able to express them selves than they take away something that helps them do just that

  • K

    KennyMar 24, 2016 at 3:20 pm

    i love my hat and the teachers always take it away… its bull

  • S

    SpencerFeb 12, 2016 at 11:15 am

    I agree with the old rules, respect and all. Baseball caps are fine, we are not in the 60’s anymore. But that doesn’t mean that we should complain and moan about the rules.
    JROTC states that i can’t wear my cover indoors, fine that’s understandable. Because you are only covered inside when you are under arms. For regular hats, those who want to show respect and maturity by removing their hats go ahead. (I’d probably would) but those who just wanna wear it? Why not?

  • A

    AmberFeb 9, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    Okay we students sdont wear hats at or during school because were not allowed to….. Hats go with alot of clothing. Hats are not a distraction. Sometimes we use them to hide away from bullies.. Also alot of male teachers wear some kind of hat because it fits thier personality. Teacher want us to be comfortable and feel at home….. We cant do that withought a hat… I could go on and on but id rather not

  • E

    EllieMar 1, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    Not allowing hats in school is just plain not fair. We aren’t trying to be disrespectful, but its not fair we have special rules and teachers and staff don’t. I don’t mean to sound like i am a know it all but it is an old, stupid rule and it was just an old sign of respect. Now we could just put a few rules like we cannot have hats that are a distraction,or they are small enough that your teachers can make eye contact. We should be allowed hats!

  • D

    DominicFeb 17, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    i hate the no hat rule it is a very strict rule and i dont see how it is a distraction in any way it is the teachers that make it a big deal

  • S

    Summer GipsonDec 13, 2010 at 11:28 am

    @ Roosevelt high
    I got my hat taken away today. I was not distracting in anyway! It was a plain black knitted hat that most kids wear around school. They also toke another guys hat, he was wearing a school hat that they sell in the student store. If this is for respect then why does the school sell hats? If it is not a big rule then why are people taking hats that are don’t distracting, don’t interfere with learning, and don’t cover your face, therefore you are visible?!

  • R

    Russell KirbyFeb 20, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    @Kendall
    And when people put their hats on at the end of the day, do they instantly go insane? Not at all. I think the people who are blowing it out of proportion are those enforcing the no hat rule. I don’t typically wear anything on my head, but I think others should get to. Especially since the A/C is never turned off at our school.

  • K

    Kendall EllingtonFeb 18, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    I think that alot of people are making a mountain out of a mole hill. It’s 8 hours a day that you have to follow some sort of structure. People are flippin out because we can’t wear hats but everyday when the bell rings, i see people just put them on.

    This is ridiculous.

    🙂

  • T

    taylorFeb 17, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    hmm interesting debate
    i agree with both sides and disagree
    it’s not a problem to wear a hat until someone decides to make it one, and yet to be polite and respectful and because administrators say so, they should not be worn in school-that would prevent most conflicts anyway right? just by obeying…

  • E

    editor1Feb 10, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    Ms. W, if rules were not questioned and laws were not questioned, would change ever occur? I get most of what you were saying is sarcastic, but if America raised a generation of kids who think this, then shouldn’t America adjust to the way the kids are taught?

  • M

    Ms. WFeb 8, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    This rule is rooted in tradition, not some arbitrary non-sense. Way back when, when people had manners, a gentleman removed his hat when he entered a building. It was an issue of respect. The true problem is this, America has raised a generation of kids who have been bathed in a sense of entitlement and think they have to right to question every rule and every adult because they think “der duh uh its STUPID!” No logical reason. I don’t understand so it must be stupid. This is much like the ID policy. Its a rule. Follow it and stop whining. Because I think I heard on the news last night that in life, you have to follow rules. Even the ones you think are stupid. Those who don’t learn to submit to some sort of rule of law or authority usually end up jobless…or in jail. And, yeah, there are no rules there. You can do what ever you want. Yes, I know this is an overgeneralization that jumps to conclusions. Embrace the sarcasm. Sarcasm should be a rule too.

  • D

    Drew GassiotJan 29, 2010 at 1:09 am

    Hats and similar things that distract me:
    Hats worn sideways or at an angle- these and the idiots that wear them give me a headache
    People with their hoods on- I constantly wonder if they’re about to shoot the place up
    Beanies- these actually don’t bother me I just wish they had a better name for them
    People who complain about the hat rule- everyone knows you aren’t supposed to wear hats indoors
    People who wear Philidelphia Eagles hats- I hate the Eagles

  • C

    chris harperJan 27, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    Failier is right we should just be able to wear them without people throwing a fit because no really notices it unless it is a big hat like justin jett’s coeboy hat or a top hat. Yet no-one will stand up to the occasion and object we just take and get d-halls or saturday school and pout about it we need objection people!!!

  • N

    Nick FailorJan 21, 2010 at 6:09 pm

    This is true. I’ve seen students get their hats taken up, and when it happens people turn and look. But if the student never got it taken up, he would’ve walked by unnoticed.