What do you think? - Kid gets suspension for Mowhawk

mckayleesmom wrote: Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:56 am EDT

School suspends 12-year-old for having Rayhawk fever
By 'Duk
Twelve-year-old Zachary Sharples, his father and his 4-year-old brother have had Rays Fever all season long. So with the team entering the ALCS against Boston on Friday, they all started the week by heading down to the barbershop to get Mohawks, the style preferred by many of the Rays players, fans and even manager, Joe Maddon.

Unfortunately, Sharples' school, Lincoln Middle in Palmetto, doesn't quite share the same level of passion for the Rays. Even though the mayor of Clearwater has vowed he'll get a "Rayhawk" if the team makes the World Series, the Lincoln administrators immediately gave Sharples an in-school suspension for a dress code violation.

From the Tampa Tribune:

Mohawks are stylish in the Bay area now because several Rays players have them and word is the style has brought them luck at the end of the season. A barber in Town 'N Country has offered to give free mohawk haircuts until the Rays lose or win out.

The style didn't fly at Lincoln Middle School, Zachary said, even though the night before he washed out the blue dye. He knew the blue would cause problems, but he didn't think the style itself violated anything. He said he has never been in trouble before, but he has resolved to keep the style.

"I'm not shaving it off until they win the World Series," he said.

No word if the administrators would have preferred Sharples completely shaving his head so he looked like a neo-Nazi, but you have to admire a kid who's willing to stand up for what he believes in. He didn't go to school either Tuesday or Wednesday and his family is moving to St. Petersburg later this week, so he likely won't have to deal with schools that won't allow their students to experience a little playoff fun.

The good news is that Zachary and his family will be at the Rays playoff games on both Friday and Saturday, where his haircut will not only be accepted, but celebrated. Long live the Rayhawk, indeed.


Related: 2008 MLB playoffs, 2008 ALCS - Red Sox vs. Rays

mckayleesmom replied: Although personally I don't mind my kids having wierd haircuts if they want during the summer, I would want them to look pretty clean cut during the school year. With that said, I still don't believe that they should be able to dictate a childs haircut. They wouldn't make a girl change her haircut.

The little boy did take out the blue paint...so what is the big deal?

lisar replied: The hair cut isnt hurting anyone. Let the kid wear it. And if he wants to wear it blue then let him. They can tell him what he can and cant wear, but not how he has his hair cut.

stella6979 replied: I think the schools have way more important things to worry about than how a kid styles his hair. I actually love the mohawks and if I had a son, he would surely be sporting one.

AlexsPajamaMama replied: What was the reason for not letting him have the mowhawk anyway?

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Ethan wears a mohawk just about everyday. He calls it a "mocko"

I think that is ridiculous...it's a hairstyle for crying out loud. We weren't suspended in h.s for wearing our bangs a foot high.

stella6979 replied:
Oh the good ole days!!!

lisar replied:
Thats what I was thinking. I would use an entire bottle of hairspray on my hair a day to make those bangs stay up

MommyToAshley replied: Ashley's school policy doesn't allow for any unusual coloring of the hair. It also states that the girls can't wear make-up and only one piercing per ear. (her school goes up to 8th grade). I think her school is a bit strict on the uniform policy and dress code. I forgot to take Ashley's nailpolish off last weekend and her teacher said something to her about it on Monday. So, with that said, I can see if he went to school with the blue hair and it's against the school's policy that they give him a warning or something. But, to suspend him over a haircut is a bit ridiculous.

A&A'smommy replied: I think thats a bit ridiculous and while they should have SOME moderate control over CLOTHING I do not think that they should have control over their hair, its one way that they have left to express themselves and schools should NOT be aloud to take that away from them!!

boyohboyohboy replied: I also agree with who ever said that there are many more important things to worry about in school then a hair style. I guess if it was in school dress code though, there is nothing they can do. although again this area sounds like this is a team spirit kind of thing, so maybe the code will be changed.

I personally think that these boys that wear this style just look like punks even if they are not and are the most wonderful kids, it doesnt give off a good impression.
but again in this area it sounds rather common due to sports.

If my son wanted a tatoo, or a piercing or mohawk certainly its the hair we would go with ! I think its about picking your fights here.

Boo&BugsMom replied: If it's a HUGE mohawk (punk style), I can see how it would be a distraction to the learning of the students. However, if it was a nice mohawk like I've seen on a lot of people these days, I don't see why it would be such a big deal. Is there a picture of him?

mckayleesmom replied:
There wasn't one on that article...

luvmykids replied: Oh brother Colt would have been suspended all last wrestling season then

msoulz replied:
ITA!!!

My3LilMonkeys replied: ITA that the school should have more important things to worry about and should not dictate how students wear their hair. However if the dress code says its a violation (which the article states) then he shouldn't have worn it to school. No matter how stupid the rules may be, he should be following them. JMO.

mammag replied: I think suspending is a bit much but it would depend on the dress code and if suspension was listed as a punishment for that. Or maybe they told him he couldn't have one and he they refused to cut it? If the hairstyle thing is in the dress code though..... I feel you should follow the dress code or go to a different school.

Celestrina replied:
ITA.

kit_kats_mom replied: It's stupid. I'm in Tampa and they are giving out Rayhawks in parking lots. It's nuts. LOL

I've seen a picture of the kid and he basically had a buzz cut and just had the sides shaved. It's not like he could put out an eye with hid hair or anything.

CantWait replied: Blue or not blue, I think really the school has nothing better to do. When does one get to be an individual???

MoonMama replied: Oh geez that is so ridiculous! Isn't it sad that our school systems have nothing better to do with their time?