Belle Chasse High School students facing suspension over hairstyle

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PLAQUEMINES PARISH AFTER SEVERAL HIGH STUDENTS THERE WERE TOLD THEY WILL BE SUSPENDED IF THEY DON'T CUT THEIR HAIR. WDSU REPORTER ANDY CUNNINGHAM IS ON YOUR SIDE IN BELLE CHASSE WITH MORE ON THE CONTROVERSY. THE SUPERINTENDENT HERE IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH SAID HIS DISTRICT IS ONLY ENFORCING SCHOOL POLICY, THAT'S ITNOTHING MORE. BUT FOR THE PARENTS OF FIVE STUDENTS AT BELLE CHASSE HIGH SCHOOL, ALL NOW FACING SUSPENSION, BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF THEIR DREADLOCKS.. INCLUDING THE MOTHER OF FREDERICK SMITH, A SOPHOMORE AT THE SCHOOL, CONCERNS ARE NOW BEING RAISED ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE COMPLAINT AND MOTIVATION BEHIND IT, FOR THE BOYS LIKE, SMITH, WHO'VE WORN THEIR HAIR LIKE THIS THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR. ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOLS "DRESS CODE" MALE HAIR THAT EXTENDS LOWER THAN THE TOP OF THE SHIRT COLLAR, OR FALLS BELOW THE BROW LINE-VIOLATE SCHOOL POLICY. SMITH'S MOTHER, SAYRA SMITH, SAID HER SON PINS HIS HAIR UP BEFORE ENTERING THE BUILDING TO MEET CURRENT STANDARDS, BUT QUESTIONS IF THE POLICY GOES TOO FAR. TRT: 12 Sayra Smith/Mother: way too far something really has to be done about it because you're about to interrupt these kids education because of their hair, that's a big problem.. THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID THE LAST THING THEY WANT TO DO IS SUSPEND THESE BOYS, BUT SAID, IT'S THE NEXT COURSE OF ACTION SHOULD THEY REFUSE TO FOLLOW THE POLICY NOW IN PLACE.. REPORTING FROM BELLE CHASSE ANDY CUNNINGHAM W-D-S-U NEWS. A REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE A-C-L-U SAID THEY'VE REVIEWED SIMILAR CASES IN LOUISIANA. BUT SAID, UNLESS ITS FOR REASONS OF FAITH OR SIMILAR, A SCHOOL HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL A STUDENT HOW HE OR SHE CAN DRESS OR WEAR THEIR HAIR. N-O-P-D STILL SEARCHING AT THIS

A school policy is under fire in Plaquemines Parish after five students were told to cut their hair or face suspension.

The students at Belle Chasse High School were told Monday they must cut their hair or be suspended.

According to the districts student handbook, "moderate hairstyles only are permitted. Boys' hair may not extend lower than the dress shirt collar. Hair cannot be worn to fall below the brow line."

The mother of Frederick Smith, 17, a sophomore said she's concerned over the timing of the complaint and the motivation behind it.

"I'm all for the rules, I'm just wondering why they didn't enforce this policy from the beginning," Sayra Smith said.

Smiths' son has dreadlocks as do the four other boys facing suspensions. His hair barely scrapes the shirt collar but according to Smith she makes sure her son pins his hair back before he goes too school every morning.

"I'm mostly concerned this is going to get in the way of his studies," Smith said. "He's worried about getting suspended now when he should be worried about end of the year schoolwork."

Smith argues her son's hairstyle is common for young African-American males and she believes the policy should be revised or updated.

"This is how these boys wear their hair these days and they shouldn't be punished for it," said Smith.

Superintendent Denis Rousselle told WDSU the last thing he wants to do is suspend Smith and the other students but said the district needs to be consistent and enforce the policy.

According to a representative from the New Orleans branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) they have reviewed similar cases across Louisiana, but if it's not for religious or similar reasons students must obey that school's policies or face consequences.

Other area districts, including St. Tammany, Jefferson and New Orleans public schools have similar dress code policies in place.

Rousselle said they have no plans of revising the existing policy at this time.

UPDATE 4/3/14: After our story aired, Frederick Smith, 17, was told he wouldn't be suspended if he keeps his hair at its current length and doesn't grow it out any longer.

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Hairstyles

Friday, April 4, 2014

Belle Chasse High School students facing suspension over hairstyle

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