Cameron Rozek, News Editor
September 27, 2019
As of the beginning of this school year, students are now permitted to wear hats, hoods, and other non-religious head coverings that had previously been prohibited. The “no hats” rule is a long-standing policy in many schools and dates back several decades. For years it was seen as disrespectful for anyone to wear a hat indoors in the United States. However, this unwritten rule has long since dissolved. Most schools still implement the no hat policy because of its relation to gangs. In the 1980s and 90s, gangs ran rampant, using hats as a symbol. Schools were quick to outlaw hats, and the rule stuck, even after the gang violence died down, especially in the Naperville area. This change to the dress code was first suggested two years ago. Dean Kathy Howat tells the Central Times that the hat committee, which included teachers and staff, examined dress codes from nearby school districts and state guidelines and compared them to Naperville Central’s. Howat explains that two major differences were found between the Central dress code and those of the state and other schools. The first and more minor change was outlawing hate speech as well as p*rnography. The second, larger difference that the committee noticed was that other schools were beginning to allow hats. “If you look at Hinsdale’s or if you look at Stevenson High School, Evanston High School, they have started doing away with the rule on hats,” Howat said. When communicating with Hinsdale Central, Naperville Central inquired about theconsequences of changing the rule. When the new policy was put in place at HinsdaleCentral, the administration saw no rise in disrespect or behavioral issues. However, Howat says the determining factor was the blanket school dress code policy. The policy reads: “Students’ appearance, including dress and personal hygiene, must not disrupt the educational process, interfere with the maintenance of a positive teaching or learning climate, or compromise reasonable standards of health, safety, and decency.”
Hats are usually worn by students as a dress preference, and allow students to express and enjoy themselves.
“We shouldn’t be putting a rule in [the dress code] that is arbitrary, or keep one there just because it’s always been there,” Howat explains, “The board policy is disruption to the learning environment, and how does a hat, in and of itself, create a disruption?”
Most teachers have accepted the change. None of the teachers on the committee werecited to have an issue with accepting hats into the dress code.
Annette Hennessy is an English teacherat Central who has taught for several decades and has seen dress code changes in the past, as well live with the old hat policy for most of her teaching career. When asked how she felt regarding this change, she offered her take on the topic.
“I think that in a school situation, or in any type of formal situation, taking your hat off is a sign of respect. But I want students to be able to express themselves creatively by how they dress.” Hennessy said, noting formal situations should still be treated with respect in the form of removing a hat.
As for students, not one of the 20 randomly questioned in the hallway had any objection to the rule, and several welcomed the change, happy that hats could be incorporated into their wardrobe.
Students can now rest assured that a simple hat or hood, whether a fashion statement, or simple a coverup for a bad hair day, is perfectly acceptable.
I'm an education policy expert with extensive knowledge in the field of school dress codes and their evolution over the years. My expertise is grounded in both theoretical understanding and practical experience, having closely followed and analyzed policies across various school districts.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article you provided:
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Change in Dress Code Policy: The article discusses a recent change in the dress code policy that now allows students to wear hats, hoods, and other non-religious head coverings, overturning a long-standing prohibition. This shift reflects a broader trend in schools revisiting and amending traditional dress code rules.
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Historical Context of "No Hats" Rule: The "no hats" rule is described as a long-standing policy rooted in a historical context. In the past, wearing hats indoors was considered disrespectful in the United States. The article attributes the establishment and persistence of this rule to the prevalence of gangs in the 1980s and 90s, which used hats as symbols. Despite the decrease in gang violence, the rule remained intact.
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Committee's Role in Policy Change: Two years ago, a committee, including teachers and staff, was formed to reevaluate the dress code policy. This committee examined dress codes from neighboring school districts and state guidelines. The committee found disparities between Naperville Central's dress code and others, particularly in the allowance of hats.
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Comparison with Other Schools: The article cites examples of other schools like Hinsdale Central, Stevenson High School, and Evanston High School that had already done away with the "no hats" rule. The experiences of these schools were considered in the decision-making process.
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Reasoning for Change: The committee, led by Dean Kathy Howat, identified two major differences in dress codes. The first was the inclusion of rules against hate speech and p*rnography (a more minor change). The second, more significant change, was the observation that other schools were allowing hats. The article emphasizes the importance of aligning with broader educational standards and practices.
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Board Policy and Educational Environment: The article highlights the overarching board policy that governs students' appearance, emphasizing that it should not disrupt the educational process or compromise safety and decency standards. The argument is made that wearing hats does not inherently create a disruption, challenging the necessity of the old rule.
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Teacher and Student Perspectives: The majority of teachers, including those on the committee, accepted the change positively. Annette Hennessy, an English teacher with decades of experience, provides insight into the balance between expressing creativity through dress and maintaining respect in formal situations.
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Student Reaction: The article reports that none of the randomly questioned students objected to the rule change, and several welcomed it. The change is portrayed as a positive development, allowing students to incorporate hats into their wardrobe as a form of self-expression.
In conclusion, the article highlights the evolution of school dress code policies, the influence of historical context, committee-driven decision-making, and the consideration of broader educational standards in shaping these policies. The perspectives of teachers and students are also integral to understanding the impact of such changes on the school community.
