Boy, 13, suspended from school for carrying purse

Submitted by Matt on Thu, 2013-11-07 18:29

Story here. Excerpt:

'A 13-year-old Kansas eighth-grader says he was suspended from school on Wednesday because he refused to take off his Vera Bradley purse.

His furious mother says it is discrimination because girls are allowed to have purses with no repercussions.
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Skylar is a student at Anderson County Senior-Junior School. He said he has been carrying the colorful fabric Vera Bradley bag over his shoulder for some time with no issues.

"It expresses myself and I think everyone else can wear it, so I wear it as well," Skylar told KCTV5's Dave Jordan.
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She said she reviewed the student handbook but did not see a mention to bags or purses. She questions the suspension and the timing.

"Skylar has been going to school since August with that same Vera Bradley bag on, hasn't taken it off. What is the problem?" she asked.

She said she supports her son and his choices. She said if he wants to carry a Vera Bradley purse or any other type of bag that he should be able to do so without being punished.
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"I've seen girls wear short shorts. Why don't they get kicked out? But then he gets kicked out for a purse? That doesn't make sense. It's not right," Haight said.

Willis said she was told that the suspension wouldn't be lifted until Skylar stops wearing the purse, which he says he won't do.'

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Comments

If I understand correctly, it seems he is not suspended for having a purse at school. He is suspended for not following rules about keeping purses and backpacks in lockers, which is a rule both genders are expected to follow. He also used foul language when asked not to bring the purse into the classroom. Normally I'm on the side of the student, but so far, not in this case.

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Submitted by Kris on Thu, 2013-11-07 23:37

It seems like everyday I read about a clothing or accessory issue at school. These are public schools, funded by taxpayers and when dress-code issues get so big that they require legal attention or get played out in the media, I wonder how many hours and money goes down the drain for school officials to deal with the never ending disputes.

I have a simple solutions. Its called a dress code. Not a dress policy, but a dress CODE. I went to a private school. We had one. Dress codes would also alleviate bullying, be better for parent's budget (aren't many public school students on public assistance?). Dress codes are more conducive for a learning environment as no one should be focused on clothes and accessories at school. It "equalizes" all students from different economical groups. It makes it far more difficult for "clicks" to form.

Here's how it works. Solid color pants (jeans ok as long as they are dark navy), long shorts, or skirts worn with a white or black top. No clothes with any writing, slogans or logos and accessories limited to small jewelry.

When kids are done at school, they can go home and express themselves all they want.

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Submitted by Kris on Fri, 2013-11-08 00:17

The "rule" doesn't appear in the books, so it should not be enforceable via suspension, IMHO... that said, how the boy responded to teachers asking him to put it in his locker may very well have earned him said suspension.

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Submitted by Kratch on Fri, 2013-11-08 18:47