J.T. Gaskin, 17 year old high school senior living in Burton Michigan. What's so special about J.T.? He's been suspended from school. Why? Well it wasn’t for drugs, bullying or possession of a weapon. He’s not violent and poses no threat to any student or faculty member. THAT would make sense. What J.T. has done is to violate a dress code policy concerning the length of a boys’ hair. Now here’s the rest of the story. He is growing his hair out to donate to "Locks Of Love". J.T. is a cancer survivor. He knows the difference having a head of hair can make to someone battling with the disease, especially children. He is in remission and wants to do what he can to ease another’s burden. J.T. has compassion and true empathy. He should be encouraged and supported - not stomped on. And certainly not kicked out of school.
Spokespersons from Madison Academy insist this isn't about his 'cause’. They say their issue is with the hair appearing unkempt. It's clean, but currently is 2 1/2 inches long a bit unruly. Well yeah. Anyone who’s ever grown their hair knows it goes through a funky stage before it gets long enough to control. I say, let him grow it out. In a few months it'll be long enough to pull back into a ponytail slick as you please. Girls do it all the time. Why shouldn't J.T. be allowed the same privilege? High school is hard enough - I know, I have a 17 year old daughter and had three more before her. Can we focus on getting the bullies and drug dealers off campus please? Suspend the person who is a potential threat to my daughter - not someone who might inspire her or others. Talk about it. Give other students the opportunity to express their own humanity.
Looks to me like this is a clear case of PRINCIPLE versus POLICY. And so the opposing sides dig in for battle. J.T. - I'm on YOUR side. Fortunately so is his mother and many others.
Madison Academy says they'd like to see J.T. come back to school. Nice of them. I'd like to see support of the greater good over 'policy' on this one. J.T. has offered the Academy a couple of reasonable 'adjustments' to this particular hair policy so that standards and principles can both be served.
As of today, February 01, 2012, no compromise has been made or considered and J.T. is still on suspension.
Read the full story for yourself at the following link: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/school-suspends-cancer-survivior-teen-over-hair-plans-160537479.html
You can support this young man by signing the petition on his behalf. You’ll see a link for that early in the story.
Spokespersons from Madison Academy insist this isn't about his 'cause’. They say their issue is with the hair appearing unkempt. It's clean, but currently is 2 1/2 inches long a bit unruly. Well yeah. Anyone who’s ever grown their hair knows it goes through a funky stage before it gets long enough to control. I say, let him grow it out. In a few months it'll be long enough to pull back into a ponytail slick as you please. Girls do it all the time. Why shouldn't J.T. be allowed the same privilege? High school is hard enough - I know, I have a 17 year old daughter and had three more before her. Can we focus on getting the bullies and drug dealers off campus please? Suspend the person who is a potential threat to my daughter - not someone who might inspire her or others. Talk about it. Give other students the opportunity to express their own humanity.
Looks to me like this is a clear case of PRINCIPLE versus POLICY. And so the opposing sides dig in for battle. J.T. - I'm on YOUR side. Fortunately so is his mother and many others.
Madison Academy says they'd like to see J.T. come back to school. Nice of them. I'd like to see support of the greater good over 'policy' on this one. J.T. has offered the Academy a couple of reasonable 'adjustments' to this particular hair policy so that standards and principles can both be served.
As of today, February 01, 2012, no compromise has been made or considered and J.T. is still on suspension.
Read the full story for yourself at the following link: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/school-suspends-cancer-survivior-teen-over-hair-plans-160537479.html
You can support this young man by signing the petition on his behalf. You’ll see a link for that early in the story.