Hats. An article of clothing that is used to cover up a bad hair day, or the finishing touch to an outfit. Something that can be used to express yourself. However, here at WPHS hats and other types of headwear, including hoods are strictly prohibited. Some students have pushed back and worn hats 1anyway. What the students who are breaking the rule might not be aware of is the extremely good reason behind why it is in place.
Mr. Doyle, who is in charge of safety at the school stated, “The biggest thing is that some students think that the rule is like a big dress code thing or I just don’t want people to wear them and that’s not the case. If you look at people that are doing any type of criminal activity one of the first things that they try to do is cover their appearance and a hat with, especially with a brim, is the first step in doing that.”
Mrs. Richards, an administrator at the school said, “With 1,500 students in one building who are relatively the same age and who wear the same styles of clothing, hats, and hoods can really hinder our ability to identify the student.”
There are cameras at the school for the study of all of the students, faculty, and teachers. However, it is extremely difficult to identify someone with their head covered. If a student breaks this rule they can expect consequences. “Right out of the gate, just to make sure that they know that we mean business, the punishment is a one-day lunch detention. We are not trying to take kids out of class. We start with lunch detention and then we try to educate them and let them know why hats are not allowed. Most of the time that is enough. But if they continue to break the rule move it up to after-school detention,” Mr. Doyle stated. “In our world right now all we want is at the end of the day we can go home to our loved ones and if I see someone trying to conceal their identity I need to be on high alert and the resource officers need to be on high alert.”
“I have never worn a hat at school, because I listen to the rules and I know that it is for my safety,” stated Emily Ross.
“I know that rule is for my safety,” says Karringtyn Miller.
Mr Doyle ends the interview by saying, ‘”If you show who you are and show your identity it shows that you are supposed to be here and that you are doing the right thing.”
Students at this school should be doing the right thing and following the rules. Every single rule that is made and put into place at this school is made for a reason. This rule, like the others, is made for our safety and for our well-being.
