A Massachusetts charter school admits that its “handling of the case came across as disrespectful,” after an eighth-grade student was written up for a uniform infringement for donning a headscarf.
A image of the “School Uniform Compliance Form” that the girl from Mystic Valley Regional Charter School received from a teacher for wearing the hijab on Thursday was shared on social media by a member of the student’s family. The word “jihab,” which is the incorrect spelling of the Muslim women’s headscarf, was used to describe the offense.
In an email statement, the school noted that while it permits students to dress in religious garb “as an expression of their honestly held views,” it also requires them to bring a letter “stating their desire from a member of their clergy.”
The student received no punishment, according to school superintendent Alex Dan, and the paperwork that was sent home was just intended to spark a discussion with the family about requesting a religious accommodation. Dan did, however, admit that the incident was handled improperly.
The school issued a statement that said, “While we would like to reiterate that the well-respected staff member overseeing the process should bear no responsibility for what has transpired, we understand how our handling of the situation came across as insensitive and look forward to using this opportunity to learn from and improve our policies and procedures.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Massachusetts chapter reports that its attorneys are representing the student’s family and looking into the matter. According to the group, the student is now covering her head at school.
According to Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, executive director of CAIR-Massachusetts, wearing a hijab or other religious clothing shouldn’t necessitate families looking for accommodations.
She stated on Sunday, “I would never want that student to have to defend what she is wearing.” I don’t ever want them to have to explain why this calls for a reasonable accommodation.
The Mystic Valley Regional Charter School’s policy of forbidding hair braid extensions drew criticism as well in 2017. When Mya and Deanna Cook were 15 years old, their parents claimed that while white pupils had not received punishment for hairstyle violations, their black twin daughters had, for wearing extensions.
The school dropped the policy in the wake of harsh criticism, including that of Democratic Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.
Mya Cook told CBS Boston that Mystic Valley should advance and begin accepting and including individuals. “Stop trying to impose this monoculture on everyone, please. It isn’t functioning.”
Following that incident, Republican governor Charlie Baker passed a legislation prohibiting discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles, such as Afros, cornrows, or tightly coiled twists, in the state’s workplaces, educational systems, and organizations associated with education.
One former student told CBS Boston earlier this year that the school’s purpose of treating everyone equally and refusing to appreciate cultural diversity is racist and out of date.
It does lower your self-esteem, according to Thora Henry. She questioned whether Mystic Valley was a good school for her and left the institution. “Yes, the test results are excellent, but was the school a good one for the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of the students? And I personally came to the conclusion that it is not for me.”