Forced haircut lands principal in trouble

[deadparrot]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A high school principal in New Mexico is facing possible disciplinary action after forcing one of his students to get a haircut without parental permission.

Rio Grande High School Principal Al Sanchez took 15-year-old Fidel Maldonado Jr. to an off-campus barbershop without the permission of the teen's parents and had his alleged gang haircut altered to a more acceptable style, the Albuquerque Journal said.

Sanchez's actions immediately prompted the student's father to contact with the Albuquerque Public Schools board and threaten legal action against the school.

The principal had claimed that the number "505" that was shaved onto the teen's head represented a gang affiliation, but Maldonado maintains it merely represents an homage in the boxing community, of which he is a part.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20061203-042258-4963r

[Kiouni]

1. it'll grow back

[symbolman]

6. You mind if someone forcibly

drags YOUR ass down to a Barber and SHAVES YOUR head because THEY WANT TO?

I would.

But of course it'll grow back.. it's not like your boss might fire you for looking like a mental patient or a guy who just got out of prison.

Cute.

[Kagemusha]

2. I'm sure the principal's right about the gang affiliation but...

That doesn't give the principal a legal right to do that, does it? Besides being a minor, he has rights as a person. The kid's excuse is really lame-sounding though and sounds like a thin cover story for iron-clad gang affiliation.

[MercutioATC]

3. The "505" boxing homage seems valid...

Burque 505 Boxing Club
7601 Keith Ct
Albuquerque, NM 87105
Sammy Kidd
505-8774566

No idea if the kid was a member, but "505" is Albuquerque's area code and there is a "505 Boxing Club" in Albuquerque.


I'd sue the district's gonads off if it was my kid.

[Bucky]

8. a lot of kids at my school do a lame gangsta tagging of our area code.

Some idiot in my 2nd period class keeps writing "It all about tha 713" on his desk. He's too lame to actually join a gang. It's possible some gang members do hang around or have joined this 505 boxing club. But usually involvement in a sport is a healthy outlet for kids--yes, even boxing.

Often teachers can't distinguish between gang members and kids just trying to act all "gangsta"--meaning pathetic poser wannabe. This was a career mistake this principal made. You don't shave a kid's head over a design, even if it's out of dress code. Still, stories like this often make it sound like the school was just "picking on the student" when the reality is that that principal and student had probably been clashing over the whole semester.

[crispini]

9. LOL.

I'd rather have someone be all about "representing" their area code than actually joining a gang. Hee!

Actually, I am quite convinced that my area code is in fact superior to other area codes, but I don't feel the need to write it on my desk. :rofl:

[progdonkey]

11. if that's the case, sounds like both are "right," but...

If 505's the area code, why the hell does the principal automatically assume it's referring to the "gang version", instead of just being some sort of civic pride, or a boxing reference? (And anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if the origin of each is the basic fact that the area code is 505; if it were 404, the gang number would probably be 404, the boxing club likewise, etc.)

The principal needs to be fired and the kid needs to sue the school district.

[MercutioATC]

17. Agreed. "505" MIGHT be a gang thing, but it does have a valid boxing reference, too.

Regardless, under NO circumstances should it be O.K. for a school official to have a kid's hair cut without parental approval.

[valerief]

4. Tit for tat. The kid can shave off one of the principal's eyebrows now. nt

[Kerrytravelers]

12. LOL!

:rofl:

[Swamp Rat]

14. LOLOL!!!!!

:rofl:

[Solo_in_MD]

5. Did the kid give permission

I can see the fundies comparing this to abortion...just waiting...

[B Calm]

7. I see no problem with this! I remember when there was dress codes

in school. I remember the paddle too..

[Kerrytravelers]

16. For legal reasons, you can't take kids off campus.

For example, this kid could say that while off campus with the principal, the principal touched him inappropriately. That principal was stupid for putting himself in this situation. Dumb dumb dumb.

[MercutioATC]

18. I was "paddled" in school once.

My father called the school from four states away (my parents were divorced) and threatened them with all sorts of ugly things if they touched me again.

A bad practice isn't O.K. just because we endured it.

[TlalocW]

10. Sounds like the teen might be part of

The Burque 505 Boxing Club in Alburquerque.

Or maybe he has trouble remembering Alburquerque's area code which is 505. :)

TlalocW

[rucky]

13. "505" is the freakin' AREA CODE n/t

[Kerrytravelers]

15. If the haircut is that big of an issue, there are several routes this principal could have taken.

Have the kid sit in the office and do his work there for the day, thereby alleviating any potential "gang issues." While he's there, call the parents and discuss the haircut, letting them know it is not ok and that he needs to get a new haircut by certain date. If they can't afford a haircut, often funds can be provided. Talk to the campus counselors and security to find out if there has been any gang behavior from the kid. If not, let him go back to class with the haircut. If it is a gang sign, but the kid isn't a gang member, make him wear a hat (they usually have alternate clothing at the school site.)

I've been though things very similar when I taught in a full-time classroom. Taking a kid off campus just isn't an option.