I'm finding it difficult to stifle my anger over the ridiculous scenario that's playing itself out at Floyd Elementary School in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite. Four-year-old Taylor Pugh has been exiled from class because his hair is an unacceptable length, according to the school's dress code. (see my previous post here) The latest? If he doesn't get a trim, he will be sent, indefinitely, to in-school suspension.
From the Dallas Morning News story today:
Instead of working one-on-one with a teacher's aide in the library, Taylor would work by himself at a desk in the Floyd Elementary School office, said district spokeswoman Laura Jobe. "There would be people checking on him from time to time, but it wouldn't be the same attention he has now."
So a child with hair that is longer than what administrators deem appropriate, but who is otherwise perfectly well-behaved, is being punished. Not only that, but surely his education has suffered since the whole ordeal came about in November. Part of going to school as a four-year-old is interacting with the other tikes. And isn't the whole point of a dress code to cut down on distractions? What's more distracting—a kid with shaggy hair or the endless parade of cameramen, photographers, and reporters that have staked out the scene? Some would argue that his parents should bite the bullet and make an appointment at Supercuts. I'd argue that they're doing the right thing. They should continue to fight until Taylor's allowed to go to school with hair any length he wants. The next step, according to the Texas Education Agency, is for the Pughs to file an appeal to the state commissioner of education. What are they waiting for?
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