Dress code violation - Bald kid told to lose the hat
Categories: Teens & tweens, Safety, Medical Conditions, In The News, Education, Special Needs
The last thing most kids want to be is 'different'. From their clothes to their hairstyles, kids tend to copy one another in an effort to blend in and be part of the group. But for some kids, blending in is difficult. 13-year-old Dale Platts knows all about that. At the age of five months, he suffered a severe bout of bronchitis which not only sent him to the hospital, but also caused his immune system to begin attacking different parts of his body. He lost all of his hair as well as his toenails and fingernails - a condition known as alopecia universalis.
According to his parents, Dale was unconcerned about his lack of hair until he reached middle school and the bullying began. Tired of the taunts and name-calling, Dale began wearing a baseball cap at all times. Unfortunately, baseball caps are prohibited by the uniform dress code policy at Robert Pattinson School in the UK where Dale is enrolled.
School officials ordered Dale to lose the hat or be moved out of the classroom and be taught in isolation. They did offer him an alternative to the baseball cap, but Dale says the woolen beanie they suggested causes eczema and headaches. Plus, because the beanie is brimless, it doesn't protect Dale's lashless eyes from the school's fluorescent lighting and dust.
Rather than expose his bald head or wear the beanie, Dale showed up for the first day of school wearing his baseball cap. He was sent home and has yet to return to school. His mom, Kenina Platts, feels that school officials are being unreasonable. "It's really cruel. I'm outraged the school can be so short-sighted. He wears the hat for medical reasons - it's not a fashion statement. Dale has to suffer at the hands of child bullies. Now the school itself is pressurising him and bullying him. He is too ashamed to take it off. To say he would be taught in isolation is madness. It is like putting him in solitary confinement. It is punishing him for being bald."
I am usually a hardliner when it comes to school dress codes. But I think like everything else in the world, there should always be some room in the rules for the exercise of common sense. If, as the school spokesman says, there can be exceptions to the dress code for religious or medical reasons, I can't see why Dale should not be allowed to wear his hat.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 31)
ame s 9-09-2008 @ 6:51PM
God bless his little heart!
I make sure my girls go to school in clothing that abides by the dress codes at their schools (one has uniforms) but I think that school should cut that kid some slack.
The school should have a heart and allow all students to wear caps, unless the cap says something inappropriate like "Bite my Butt", so he doesn't feel like he sticks out. School and life in general is hard enough at that age.
Reply
Ed 9-10-2008 @ 3:42PM
I agree that the school should be more understanding in its approach to this child. But all of you are missing a very important overriding issue. The school is responsible for behavior, in this case they are attacking the behavior of the boy. But what of a more impoortant issue that they need to address. The behavior of others towards the boy should be as important an issue if not more so. Bullies, sarcasm, insults, all of you seem to be missing these issues. Are your houses in order regarding these issues. Do your children treat others with kindness and friendship.
Kelly 9-10-2008 @ 4:26PM
This is a classic case of School Superintendants and leaders being too short sighted and not allowing themselves the opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of this child who has been afflicted with a confidence crushing disorder. My son has autism and I had to fight many a teacher, para, psychologist, principal, director and even deans of numerous school districts to stop treating my son like a disruption and a trouble maker and start making accomodations for him to be successful within the public school environment. It is hard! And every parent who feels as if their child is being treated unfairly should FIGHT!!!! Don't let the desk sitting, opinion flinging, stubborn nay sayers make decisions for you...contact your local ARC and have a representative attend meeting with you in regards to the future of your child...the advocate may just scare them into doing what you ask even if they don't want to...they will be afraid you will create huge issues for them in the future if they don't listen....and in my case THEY WERE RIGHT!!
Marcia 9-10-2008 @ 4:35PM
I am horrified that the school is not showing compassion and more so than the hat, those students who are the bullies whould be the one taken out of school.
StrayCat9451 9-10-2008 @ 4:49PM
Ame, I am not really replying to you here, I agree with everything you said!
I am replying to ED down there who has no reply button because he replied to you, so I am posting here. Sorry ame.
ED-- yes, bullying is bad business, no argument there, but what disturbs me a little about your post is that you seem to sweep the whole issue at hand under the rug to put up for the school's behavior. Yes, they are attacking the boy for his "behavior" which would be considered to be non-conforming by nature, that is, IF his circumstances were not different than other students due to his illness. Illness is not something people can really control, at least not the illness he has, therefore it cannot really be considered "behavior". So in this case, I definitely feel this school is in the wrong by pursuing a wanted behavior so much that they are causing other unwanted behaviors such as bullying and the boy not wanting to even attend the school. And that is the whole crux of the matter.
anon 9-11-2008 @ 10:27AM
The parents should request a 504 evaluation from the school to require that his baseball cap be considered an accommodation necessary as part of his disability. If the school denies the implementation of a 504 plan for the student, they should consider legal action under the Americans with Disabilities act or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Debbe 9-10-2008 @ 5:12PM
I agree wit you ame s................the school is really being unreasonable. It will be 2 yrs that I went thru chemo and radiation and lost all of my hair. I work in school system as a special needs nurse and I wore a pink baseball cap for 7 months until my hair started growing back. Kids can truly be mean because my grandson attended the same school and they would tell him...go tell ya baldheaded grandma!
ljkree 9-10-2008 @ 5:20PM
Read a little more closely people. He was NOT wearing the hat for medical reasons. He was fine till jr. high. If every child got to bend the rules because of a bully, there would be no reason for the rules. The schools do need to address the bully issue, not the hat.
novasboots 9-10-2008 @ 5:24PM
My son is ADHD and also pulled the hair out from on top of his head for a while (Thank GOD that's over with now). The prinicpal of his elementary school was an Angel - she had no problem with him wearing a hat to stop him from pulling. It's crazy that this little boy can not wear a hat to protect him from bullying.
Niki 9-10-2008 @ 7:36PM
ame s- I am not rpelying to you. I am replying to ljkree.
ljkree- a medical condition caused his hair loss. Also because he has no eyelashes he needs the protection offered by the cap. The article said he started wearing the baseball cap "at all times" in middle school not that he just started wearing it in middle school. But even if he has no other reason for wearing the cap except to keep from being bullied due to his medical condition that should be a sufficient reason for the school to make an exception.
The school should address the issue of bullying but they should also allow this child to wear his cap if it will make one of the most difficult periods in a child's life more tolerable.
hallie 9-10-2008 @ 7:54PM
Whatever happened to the no tolorance rules for bulling? I agree that he should be allowed to wear the hat. If it is not being insultive or disruptive then let it go. As for the bullies why not send them home and let the parents deal with the embarrasment that they haven't taught there kids not to bully others or better yet to tease a sick kid who has no control over their apperance. As for the boy who needs the hat. Good for you for being willing to go and deal with this. To the mom don't give up.
Michellemother of 2 9-10-2008 @ 8:56PM
The website for this school is http://www.rps.lincs.sch.uk/ and their email is rps.rps@ntlworld.com
I have just sent a very polite letter to tthe school voicing my opinion and concern regarding this unfortunate situation. Parents must stick up for their children and their disabilities. IMy son is severly ADHD and Dyslexic. If I didn't stand up for him then he would not be so well adjusted and doing so good in school. Most involved in the school systems want "cookie cutter" kids...children that are all alike. Well, that is not our reality. The human race is made up of so many differant kinds of people with all kinds of differant problems. That child has the right to an education free from bullying by the students and adults. Him and his family are in my prayers.
Whitney 9-12-2008 @ 2:20PM
I think the school is being unreasonable. I graduated in 2008 and i am proud of attending Ector High School. They are a public school but when there is a certain matter to be addressed they are very understand. the supertindent of the school is an active church member and as well sings in teh choir at my church. They got a new principal this year and he is also a religious man as well as most of the faculty. The principal enforces the rules but he is understand when it come to important matter such as this one. I am sure he would be treated just like the other students and the students would accept him as he is and not judge him. I am sure he would be able to wear his baseball cap, and im almost positive with the way the enviroment is he would soon not wear his hat to school because he would be just like the other kids and they would accept him for who he was not what he looks like. The school is a Small 1A and everyone is so friendly. I hope your son finds the courage he needs and i hope he knows that if he feels like there is no one to turn too God is always riight there beside him and that's where strenghth comes from. I hope he keeps his head up. He seems like he has such a strong spirit.
I'll pray for you guys. =]
-Whitney
senior 08'
and now the graduating class or 2012'
=]
David 9-12-2008 @ 2:22PM
You are exactly right. This kid is right around the age where other kids begin being cruel. If someone even has the smallest difference, the kids will be all over them. It makes no sense that this kid cannot where his hat, which should be included in allowing a change in the dress code for medical reasons. It is bad enough that he has to face his classmates with the differences he can do nothing about. The school is only adding fuel to the fire by being so unreasonable.
holly 9-12-2008 @ 3:18PM
Just another example of the lack of common sense in America.
Tom 9-12-2008 @ 4:14PM
The address shows it is in the UK so the all the commets about American laws and how we don't have common sense here, don't apply.
Laura 9-12-2008 @ 4:20PM
"Ed", I can't agree more...Teaching kindness and empathy stems from upbringing. It should start the day you become a parent and strongly reiterated throughout adolescent parenting. Bullies come in all ages, apparently and very unfortunately. LET HIM WEAR HIS HAT!
ame s 9-12-2008 @ 4:28PM
HEY, EVERYBODY!
STOP HITTING THE REPLY BUTTON UNDER MY POST. YOU ARE NOT REPLYING TO ME!
Thank you, and have a nice day!
PhantomEMT 9-12-2008 @ 4:36PM
It’s a sad shame that this boy is being bullied period. Not only does he put up with ignorant adolescent students, but now to be bullied out of school by unethical and very incompetent adults in the teaching system. This is ludicrous in the extreme. Being someone who was a bully target in school, I know this boys pain. The pain and suffering of not only things you can not control, but the dire side of being tormented by others who lack intelligence when it comes to taking into consideration the well being of a human.
All of this over a hat? A silly and ridiculous hat to some, but a shield of steel for a little boy. The shield is not only for medical reasons, but for reasons that reach far beyond those illiterate minds who are suppose to posses knowledge and understanding.
Dale if you read this, keep fighting. Wear that hat proudly to show you won’t step down. To your parents, fight that system! Call your officials and please, call the media. The media will be more than happy to help you sodomize that system just as AOL has helped by posting the story. The more people that know, the more pressure and I dare say, humiliation, mortification, shame that will be placed on those individuals. They will be getting more of a taste of that lame medicine they have unjustifiably prescribed.
Thad 9-12-2008 @ 5:17PM
Its a sad day when the people charged to teach our children; have no leinency to medical problems...maybe they should remove all children with diabetes and hiv, and any learning disability...and maybe children with a different color skin?