The Archuleta School District (ASD) held its regular board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 6, during which the long-standing rule against hats in school was overturned.
The dress code was a hot topic at last month’s meeting, where principals from each of the three schools presented their opinions on allowing hats in school.
Both the middle school principal, Chris Hinger, and high school principal, Sean O’Donnell, argued in favor of hats in school based on changes in culture.
The basis of the argument was centered upon the idea that hats have become increasingly accepted in public spaces in society, even those that previously looked down upon hats.
“I just don’t know that we are embedding a social norm anymore, it seems the social norm has kind of changed,” Hinger said at the September meeting.
O’Donnell agreed with Hinger’s stance, stating that he would prefer to focus on learning outcomes in the classroom, rather than fight with students over their attire.
Pagosa Springs Elementary School Principal Justin Cowan offered a different perspective, but conveyed that he was willing to compromise with his colleagues on the dress code.
Cowan’s argument was founded upon the idea that public spaces rest on a continuum. This continuum dictates what attire is appropriate or not appropriate.
He asserted that certain spaces demand more respect than others, and in doing so require a higher standard of dress.
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