After students were caught smuggling in contraband items like cellphones into class, a Pennsylvania middle school has banned Uggs—or other "outdoor, open top boots." The Pottstown Mercury reports, 'In a letter sent home with students Wednesday, Principal Gail Cooper announced the ban, saying “we have been experiencing problems with some students wearing open top boots and carrying items in their boots that are prohibited in school.'"
Middle school students were apparently breaking the school policy by taking their phones into class, via their fur-lined shoes. Phones are allowed in the school: "students may bring cell phones to school but they 'must be turned off ' and 'kept in the student’s locker between 7:55 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.'" In Cooper's letter, she said, "Students may continue to wear outdoor boots to and from school to protect them from cold, snow and ice but need to change into a pair of sneakers or shoes before entering homeroom. Students may also continue to wear lace up, tight at the ankle, boots, shoes and high top sneakers." In other words, you ain't bringing your cellphone into class.
Parents reacted to the ban by venting on the Mercury's website: “When the schools started paying to raise and clothe my children then maybe... maybe they can have a say in dictating my child’s wardrobe. Totally ridiculous," and "Just take them (cell phones) when they have them in class, give them a detention and be done with it. Making up 100 silly rules to deal with something that is inevitable is like swimming upstream." Yeah, it's not like NY Philharmonic conductor Alan Gilbert can be there to shame those kids.
NYC students—and their parents—took exception with the Department of Education's cellphone ban. However, a court found the ban constitutional, "If adults cannot be fully trusted to practice proper cell phone etiquette, then neither can children."
