If this is a public school then the actions of suspending the child is unacceptable. If it is private then I think it is wrong but they would have the right to suspend the child.

Stand your ground kid. You're morally right even if it breaks school policy. It's a damn shame that the school officials who could make an exception are morally bankrupt in this matter. Policies are "adjusted" or modified all the time to suit the boards agenda, but they don't feel the mental health and over-all welfare of a cancer patient is as important?

Having cancer (lymphoma) I know that your chances of survival are improved considerably by a positive mental attitude. This kids understands that and knows that the hair he donates will very likely make some child dying of cancer feel a little better about himself.

You've got my full support and respect.

"Teaching a child to count is not nearly as important as teaching them what counts." ~ Anon.

Wow , is it a muslim school ? If not then why be so taliban about the hair ? Who cares ? What country is this in again ?

Incredible to think that this school is passing up an incredible teaching experience regarding both cancer and self-less giving. It calls what this boy is doing "admirable," but says it can't go against its policy. This is a typical example of why "zero-tolerance" is wrong. There are always exceptions, even mistakes.

Very sad, and as the article and others have posted; a lost teaching moment.

I wore my long as young man in the seventies and was occasionally called on it, so I sympathize with the long hair.

I also went to a school where a hair code was in place, and know that the school sold parents on the idea of a dress code, just as I’m sure this school does as well.

Maybe it’s time for the parents of this young man to consider another school.

In my opinion, it’s not fair for this family to expect a change of dress code just for their son. Other parents of his classmates pay for a certain educational environment, and deserve the environment they paid for.

This is all too much of a distraction.

His parents knowingly enrolled him in a charter school with strict rules and dress code policies, I understand supporting your children's decisions (especially when it's to do something as noble as what he wants to do). Obviously a private school is not the place for him to do this. Please, teach your kids to to express themselves where they will not judged or punished for doing so.

PUT HIM IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL. The parents could have approached the school board in an adult manner, presented the idea as a school wide charity drive even. Instead, they're choosing to lash back at this school for suspending their son because he's BREAKING THEIR DRESS CODE. Do better people. You knew what kind of school you had him in, you are the only ones to blame for his suspension. It's called tranferring schools, look it up.

cassiopeiacomplexx wrote:

Please, teach your kids to to express themselves where they will not judged or punished for doing so.

So, you would have us teach our kids to fear being judged, fear what others think? You would have us teach our kids NOT to stand up for what they feel is right IF it means they may suffer ridicule, judgement or a minor penalty? I think not!

I teach my children to stand up for those weaker or less able to do so. I teach them to speak out against those who would try to force us to comply with rules or regulations that are oppressive. I teach them to never fear expressing themselves in positive and honorable ways. I teach them that sometimes it's ok to go against the majority or against policies they feel are unfair. I teach them that regardless of what they may be told, there are always "exceptions" and/or ways to overcome obstacles.

I agree that this could have been handled better, by all parties. However, I doubt that the parents intended to turn this into an issue, they likely didn't even expect the school would have a problem with it. Once the school suspended him it was a little late to turn back. Shouldn't the school have called the parents in before taking punitive action and discuss the issue? If they did obviously they weren't willing to make it an official event.

Look, it's a "dress code" violation! He didn't bring drugs or guns to school. He didn't assault anyone or bully them. His "violation" wasn't even for a selfish reason, it was for doing an honorable and noteworthy, selfless act. It doesn't matter who was in the right rulewise, rules like dress codes are in place to keep kids from getting out of hand with gang related dress or with so outrageous outfits that it distracts the class. The school should have made an exception.