PENN HILLS, Pa. — Following numerous dress code-related suspensions in a matter of days, the Penn Hills School District announced Friday that the district’s ban on hoodies would be temporarily lifted.
RELATED: 46 Penn Hills HS students suspended for violating dress code, which bans hoodies
Penn Hills School District Superintendent Dr. Nancy Hines released the following statement:
“As a matter of courtesy to the more than 3,400 students and their families who have been faithfully respecting the Penn Hills School District’s ban on hoodies, a majority of the board of school directors is opting to lift the ban temporarily and to allow all students to wear garments with hoods.
“However, for those who opt to wear the actual hoods while traveling within our school buildings, they will be referred for further disciplinary action. The board will review the level of student cooperation during this evaluation period. We are sincerely hoping that all students will cooperate and demonstrate a unified commitment to safety.”
Earlier this week, Channel 11 News reported that 46 Penn Hills High School students were suspended in four days last week because of dress code violations.
The suspensions were issued between Monday and Thursday, stemming from “various dress code violations,” Teresita Kolenchak, the district’s communications consultant, said.
Although specifics of the violations were not addressed by the district, Channel 11 News was told by several viewers that the suspensions were the result of students wearing hoodies, which were banned in a district dress code change that went into effect for the 2016-2017 school year.
Kolenchak said the reported “hoodie incidents” last week were exaggerated.
“We have actually been very pleased with the level of cooperation from both parents and students on this issue,” she said.
According to the dress code, hoodies cannot be worn during the school day and any student who wears one to school must take it off and put it in his or her backpack or locker. The district said the hood presents a safety concern and could also disrupt the educational process.
However, some parents and students who spoke with Channel 11 News Monday called the policy unfair and the punishment for breaking it too severe.
"We're supposed to go to school for an education, and you're suspending us, preventing us from getting an education, for wearing a hoodie,” Penn Hills High School junior Martha Nesmith said.
The superintendent gave no time frame for how long the temporary hoodie ban lift would last.
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