7th-grader's pink hair gets her suspended
By
Kyle Bosch
Story Created:
Aug 21, 2008
Story Updated:
Aug 21, 2008
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. (AP) - A southern Missouri school district has suspended a pink-haired seventh-grader.
Mountain Grove Middle School student Amelia Robbins said she dyed her hair pink to honor her father, who died of cancer when she was 6 years old. She says that to her, pink is the cancer color.
The 12-year-old said that when she finished 6th grade with pink streaks in her hair, school administrators warned her not to continue wearing the color. But with her mother's permission, Amelia dyed all of her hair pink, and her school year ground to a halt just days after it started.
She doesn't think her hair color is a distraction.
The school handbook says administrators have the authority to decide whether a student is causing a distraction. Officials declined to discuss specifics of Amelia's case.
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Monday, Oct 20 at 5:20 PM Megan wrote ...
Yeah My school told a friend of mine if she didnt remove purple streaks she'd be suspended?
Friday, Aug 22 at 8:21 AM B wrote ...
If someone hasn't already... Could someone write a folk rock song about this one!!! Only in the Ozarks could this many people be closed minded enough to make a person's hair color an issue.
Friday, Aug 22 at 1:38 AM Observer wrote ...
This isn't about 'honoring her Dad' it's about wanting to control the school. This family has caused run-ins with the 2 different elementary schools this child has attended in this area.
Thursday, Aug 21 at 11:50 PM Confused wrote ...
There are lots of distractions in todays world, pink hair should not be considered at the top of the list. Students need to learn how to stay focused. I would tend to think cheerleaders in short skirts would be more distracting or kids dressed in all black attire for the goth look with COLORED ONYX BLACK hair.This is a free country! Sponge Bob will even tell ya, It's ok to be different! No pun intended
Thursday, Aug 21 at 8:10 PM shaamex wrote ...
That disruption the Principal is speaking of flies in the face of learning independence. There are better choices than just suspending the child from school. Why not have a meeting that brings both parties to more of a compromise. How about a cancer awareness day or week and let her show her support for fighting cancer which took her father. It could be a teaching experience for the whole school rather than an educator lowering the boom on a child who has lost a loved one.
Thursday, Aug 21 at 5:03 PM barbara coffey wrote ...
I grew up in mountain grove and went to school there, The people will never change there is nothing wrong with the girl just because her hair is pink, her fater is gone let her remember him the way she feels its right.
Thursday, Aug 21 at 1:30 PM Shannon McCann wrote ...
Hair color is not a distraction worth suspending a kid over! We tell our kids to be themselves, but then punish them for doing so. I could see piercings being a problem for safety reasons, even obscene words on clothing, but hair color! Will the school dictate how the hair must be worn next? Will short hair on girls be inappropriate, or long hair on boys?
Thursday, Aug 21 at 12:58 PM Christina young wrote ...
i dont think that she she should of been suspened for pink hair if she was not trying to be a bother there are more imporant things schools should be worried about then the color of somone's hair
Thursday, Aug 21 at 12:50 PM Tracy Travis wrote ...
There is another student in Mountain Grove walking around with blue hair . Nothing is being said or done to her,. Why is the school system picking on this one student? I live here in Mtn. Grove.
Thursday, Aug 21 at 12:18 PM Ofra wrote ...
This little brat needs to get over herself.. along w/her parent. This is life people, there are rules in/with EVERYTHING. Get used to it! There's going to be many challenges in life with rules that you will not be able to change.
Thursday, Aug 21 at 11:40 AM PANTHER MAMA wrote ...
This is nuts!!!! If she wants her hair pink that should be her business.....absolutely no different than coloring your hair brown, black ot getting it highlighted. Who's to say what color is ok and what's not, other than a childs parents. When will MG schools learn? Just opening themselves up for yet another lawsuit!
Thursday, Aug 21 at 11:16 AM Luckey wrote ...
I believe if it was marshfield or springfield it would'nt be a big deal, because it happens in these more diversed and open minded schools. My dad died 2 years ago of cancer so i support her 100%!!
Thursday, Aug 21 at 8:11 AM Oh my goodness wrote ...
This is such a waste of time. I think the school should be looking at the dress code, which can be laid out clearly in the handbook with what to and not to wear. Things like hair color, tatoos, piercings, and make-up are all too difficult to enforce and even if they have a different color hair or a pierced nose its not as bad as a butt crack or underware/boxers sticking out from the tops of pants. Pick your battles and get over this one. Let the little girl go back to school.
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