From: matus [matus@snet.net]
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 9:57 PM
To: matus@snet.net
Subject: MFD List - Girl suspended for blue hair 

Girl suspended for blue hair
----------
Detroit News
   Twelve-year-old Maria Alexander only recently returned to
   Gerisch Middle School after a two week suspension for dying
   blue streaks into her blond hair. Now her parents are
   challenging administrators' claims that they have the right
   to pull double duty as fashion critics. (11/16/01)

http://www.free-market.net/rd/192582177.html

A few strands of blue hair are causing a big ruckus in Southgate Community
Schools.
Maria Alexander, 12, returned to seventh-grade at Gerisch Middle School this
week after a two-week suspension for dying blue streaks into her blond hair.
Now the question over whether administrators can pull double-duty as fashion
critics may reach the school board soon.
Administrators defend the decision, saying school policy long has prevented
grooming styles that would cause distractions or teasing. Alexander's
parents aren't buying the argument and deemed the suspension ludicrous.

"I don't like this one bit," said Amy E. Alexander, 41, the girl's mother.

"Where are our parental rights? Should we call the school to see what we can
pack our kids for lunch or how we comb their hair?" she asked. "Having a
little bit of blue in your hair is hardly something wild."

Administrators let Maria Alexander back into school Monday when she agreed
to wear her hair in a bun that mostly hides the streaks.
Unsatisfied, Amy Alexander will lobby the school improvement committee on
Nov. 27 to change the policy, a necessary step before asking the school
board to reverse course. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is
reviewing the case at her request.

Supt. David Peden called Maria Alexander a "great little girl" and said she
could have returned to class much sooner if she changed her hairdo. State
courts repeatedly have upheld schools' right to establish dress codes, he
said.

Peden said teachers talked to the Alexanders much of the year about the blue
streaks, but reached the "last straw" on Oct. 29 when Maria dyed her hair
again. Amy Alexander disagreed, saying the first she heard of problems was
with the suspension.

"There's a lot of ways to express yourself and not create a disruption,"
Peden said. "I'm not sure the student was trying to express herself. I think
maybe the parent was trying to make an issue."

Amy Alexander's son attends Southgate Anderson High School and has green
hair. She accused the district of having a double-standard and vows to
continue pressing the case, even if it means withdrawing her children from
the school district.

"I'm not some hippie mom and right now, it's not even about blue hair
anymore," Amy Alexander said. "It's about parental rights. Everyone I've
talked to thinks this situation is ludicrous. They need to admit they
handled this wrong."

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