The Hoodie Ban and Safety at HHS

The Hoodie Ban and Safety at HHS

Hammonton High school students are still wondering when the ban to wear hoodies during school will be lifted. It has been nearly nine years since dress code policy 5132  series 5000 was adopted, declaring that “Outerwear not be worn in school buildings unless specifically permitted by the administration.”

The reasoning behind banning outerwear such as hoodies in school is safety, surrounding schools believe that students could hide weapons in the large pockets on most hoodies. Also when the hood is up on the jacket it makes it harder to see the individuals face and if they are wearing headphones during class.

Reasons to Revise the Policy

Book Bags= Threat to Safety?

Now, the school allows students to carry around book bags throughout the day, so hypothetically if an individual wanted to bring a weapon onto school grounds what would stop them from just putting it in there book bag that the school district permits them to carry. In addition, when in class and in school there should be no need for students to even have there hoods up, this falls on the staff to tell the scholars to remove the hoods from there heads.

Student Resource Officers and Hall Monitors

Furthermore, the school does in fact have a school resource officer and multiple bathroom attendants whose job is to monitor the halls to help ensure they are safe throughout the entire day. In addition, all teachers are required to stand in front of their classroom while students switch classes, amplifying the safety of HHS.

Religious Headwear Exception

Religious headwear is also permitted. The Hijab, the Chador and other head coverings, these are allowed in the school because Hammoton is a public school district and cannot deny any person there right as of religion stated in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Hoods and Social Anxiety

Students that suffer from social anxiety disorder have said that wearing a single hoodie has helped them decrease the multiply panic attacks they suffer from throughout the day. Also hiding behind a hoodie has said to protect students from the  cruel judgment of there peers, helping relieve the stress of anxiety.

“Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, it is an anxiety disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. Anxiety (intense nervousness) and self-consciousness arise from a fear of being closely watched, judged, and criticized by others.” (http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/default.htm)

Students that suffer from social anxiety disorder have said that wearing a single hoodie has helped them decrease the multiply panic attacks they suffer from throughout the day. Also hiding behind a hoodie has said to protect students from the  cruel judgment of there peers, helping relive the stress of anxiety.

A recent poll asking parents, students, teachers and random individuals taken on “http://www.Debate.org” asked them if they were for or against the wearing of hoodies. 80% percent favored the wearing of hoodies in school systems.