Disappointed Mom Fights To Change Outdated School Hair Policy So Her Son Can Attend

Jul 13, 2022 by apost team

High school is incredibly stressful for teenagers. They are still trying to figure out who they are as individuals while also hoping to fit in with their classmates, along with balancing schoolwork, after-school activities and potentially even a job. It can be challenging for kids to feel comfortable, so it’s common for them to want to hold onto something that means a lot to them.

For 17-year-old Dyree Williams, getting to keep his hair long was extremely important to him. It felt like an extension of himself. This is why his mother, Desiree Bullock, was so frustrated when she discovered that Dyree would have to cut his hair if he was enrolled at East Bernard High School in East Bernard, Texas.

The high school has a dress code that requires male students not to have hair past their ears. Since Dyree had dreadlocks, he was in violation of the dress code and, therefore, would have to cut his hair in order to enroll in the school.

Bullock went to bat to try to find a way to get her son enrolled in the school while still getting to keep his long hair, as he had grown very attached to it, but it didn’t seem like anything was working in their favor. However, the incident has sparked a debate and has made lawmakers and policyholders reconsider looking at outdated policies, as many other schools in the state have already done the same. Still, Bullock is working on trying to give her son the best life possible.

In April 2022, Bullock spoke with KPRC 2 about East Bernard High School’s dress code and hair policy. She said:

“The boys cannot have hair past their ears. I explained to her that my son has locks in his hair, and well, she was like, ‘Well he’s going to have to cut those.”

The student handbook also declared that students couldn’t have “braided hair or twisted rows/strands.” Bullock reached out to Courtney Hudgins, the school’s superintendent, to get a religious exemption, but was told that it could “not be granted at this time.”

However, Hudgins said, “East Bernard ISD has not denied enrollment to the individual involved in this situation, as no enrollment or registration documents have been filed.” Bullock said she never officially enrolled Dyree due to the policy and is instead homeschooling him. She explained:

“It’s not right. My child should be able to keep his locks in his hair.”

The superintendent said the school “intends to comply with state law regarding enrollment and attendance if and when an enrollment application is completed.”

Keeping his hair long is something very important to Dyree. He said:

“It makes me – me. Without my hair, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

Other schools in Texas have already looked at changing similar policies. According to KPRC 2, the Barbers Hill Independent School District revised its policy regarding dreadlocks in 2020, and Magnolia ISD revised its policy in December 2021.

Until a change is made, Dyree is still homeschooled but hopes he can one day attend college to become a veterinarian, obtaining a scholarship from being part of the track team to get there. But unfortunately, he feels it is “10 times harder” for colleges to notice him since he’s not in school.

apost.com

What do you think about this school’s dress code and hair policy? What would you do if you were a parent in this situation? Let us know, and feel free to send this to your family and friends.