Effingham Unit #40 at standstill over dress code

Effingham Unit #40 at standstill over dress code

Kaitlyn Bloemer, Photographer and Reporter

Nancy Marschewski, a white mother in the town of Effingham, is challenging the school district to change its policies after her African American son was forced to remove his do-rag, a protective hair covering, last month at school. Her 17-year-old son had spent over four hours braiding his own hair, since he has not been able to see a stylist specializing in his hair type for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The do-rag was meant to keep his hairstyle in place, and maintain it while the braids were in. The do-rag also holds a cultural weight, predominantly among the black community. The school officials cited a dress code policy banning headgear as the reason to remove the article. 

By the next day, Marschewski’s hair had completely dried out and he had to remove the braids that he had spent hours putting in. In a quote, the student said that “The students of color in our district have different needs. We should be acknowledging that, not ignoring it.” The current percentage of students in the school district of African American descent is just 1.4 percent. 

Since the incident, Nancy Marschewski, along with other parents, have been attending board meetings to change the policy, citing that the do-rags provide a function, different from the other headgear that is banned within the policy. Nancy stated that even she was unaware that the garments had a function, however, she now feels like it’s important to bring forth the knowledge. “The garment is just material that’s wrapped around the scalp to protect the hair. It is simple hair hygiene.” 

During the meeting, the assistant principal of EHS recommended that the ban stay in place, citing that not wearing it shows respect, since the student is in a public building. He also cited safety and said that allowing the do-rag would open doors to other arguments, such as allowing earbuds. 

Another member, Jane Willenborg, stated that not allowing the head covering was discriminating against students of color. Another member stated that it is hard to make a decision, since it involves hundreds of kids, not just one. He believes the policy should remain simple and straightforward.  In the end, the board remained split on the issue, and pushed it to a later date for discussion. While state law requires religious exemptions for headwear, many schools in this area and beyond ban do-rags either just as their own ban or part of a bigger ban on wearing headgear entirely.

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