Journal Writing Project Why it’s time to drop the hat rule

By Ellie Halverson

The hat rule. It’s a rule in the dress code implemented in almost all public schools in America. The rule explains that a student cannot wear a hat on school grounds during school hours, but why? What could be so bad about a student wearing a hat? A few teachers from Spring Grove Public Schools participated in an interview, giving their answers to this question without prior research. With the knowledge that they already acquired, their answers were substandard, but with insight into the system, unsurprising. Most teachers answered unconfidently, their first statements being along the lines of, “I’m not sure, but if I had to guess it would be because…” Following this statement, there were varieties of answers. One teacher explained that it’s “…because it’s a distraction.” This is typical reasoning for dress code rules being in place, to ensure class is as efficient as possible. While obscenities on hats could be a distraction, it is unclear what would be distracting about a hat on someone’s head in class. People wear graphic tees, colorful shoes, and patterned pants daily to school, and those could be equally as distracting as a hat would be.

When discussing the hat rule, many teachers brought up hoods on sweatshirts and explained how students can hide headphones and earbuds under them, making it easy to avoid paying attention in class. Especially now with wireless earbuds becoming more and more popular, it’s much easier to conceal listening to music in class. This is a very fair point, but there are many ways this can be refuted as well. Many students have long hair that covers their ears, which could mask the use of earbuds just as easily as a hood could. Yet, there are no rules restricting certain ear-covering hairstyles. Another opinion on this problem is that if a student chooses to listen to music over paying attention in class, and thus has grades that are suffering, it is their fault, and a teacher should not be blamed. It is a student’s responsibility to learn while in class, and if they chose not to, they would have to take the blame for unsatisfactory grades. Lastly, if it comes down to removing the hat rule from the student handbook, a potential route to take would be letting students wear hats, but hoods could still be prohibited. This would cut out the issues surrounding earbud use altogether.

One teacher explained that it was “…like a respect thing…” This is a common answer among teachers of differing ages. This respect can be taken in two distinct directions. The first is respect for manners. Hat etiquette is thought to originate from medieval times and has continued to be used through the years. In typical hat etiquette fashion, it is customary to remove your hat upon entering a building. Though many still follow these rules, it is less and less common as society becomes more and more casual. In today’s society, not removing your hat when entering a building is not seen as a big deal. Hat etiquette is becoming outdated, and with changing trends come changing rules. The other side of respect that is argued against the hat rule is simply when a teacher asks you to do something, you should follow their rules and authority to show your respect to them. Though this is understandable, wearing a hat in school is not meant as a rebellion, it is simply another form of self expression. Many students use hats to express themselves and their personal style. Students not wanting to remove their hats does not align with a disrespect for the rules or teachers, but more of a misunderstanding with them. When you ask a teacher what the reasoning for the hat rule is, they can give plenty of “I thinks” or “possiblys,” but most teachers cannot explain the exact reason the rule is in place. If teachers don’t know why the rule exists, how should students be expected to understand it? And without having a reason or understanding of why a rule is in place, is it all that important to enforce it? Many teachers in Spring Grove Public Schools think the hat rule is unnecessary, which leads to them not enforcing it as strictly as other teachers. This imbalance of enforcement is pointless, and it should be decided whether the hat rule is all in or all out.

This article is not intended to start a rebellion or enforce any disrespect of the rules in the student handbook. Instead, it is intended to raise questions in students about what rules they are following without reason. It’s important to ask why sometimes, and if there are rules that don’t seem fair, it’s okay to raise concerns. In this case, the hat rule has been considered and is continuing to be considered in Spring Grove. Many student-led teams are surveying and pushing for the rule to be modified. The hat rule is outdated, unnecessary, and would not be missed by the student body if altered.

Ellie Halverson is a student at Spring Grove High School. She is one of 17 area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 24th year.