Reasons behind the no hat policy

Along with other, similar restrictions, Decatur has a “no hat” policy. Why does this rule exist? The Student/Parent Handbook states that “head garments (hats, hoods, scarves, etc.), except for religious reasons, may not be worn in the building at any time, including after school.” This rule is strictly enforced throughout the hallways, especially in the mornings when students arrive and walk through the front doors with tassel hats, beanies and snap backs.

Freshman Santiago Garcia, who wears a hat almost seven days a week, does not see anything wrong with wearing hats. “I don’t think the hat policy serves any real purpose,” Garcia said. “Wearing a hat doesn’t distract anyone, offend anyone, or do anything really at all except for sit on your head. I have yet to hear a good reason behind the rule, so I don’t see why it is still around.”

French teacher Agnes Wells has a different view. “I like it because, while most hats are not distracting, a student could potentially wear one that would block other students from seeing what was going on in class or one that would be distracting. This way, I don’t have to justify to the student why he/she should not wear a hat.”

“It used to be considered impolite for a man to wear a hat inside a building,” Mme Wells said. “Also, if people are wandering around with hoods (and some hats on) it can be difficult to tell who they are (in the hallways), and if they break rules, it can be hard to tell on video or in person who the culprits are.”

The teachers are not just trying to keep us from wearing hats without a reason. Although a majority of the student body does not agree with the rule, there are reasons behind the policy.