Nov 5, 2007 11:33 pm US/Central
Dallas School: 5-Year-Old's Hair Is Distracting
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Calling it a "distraction," a school in Oak Cliff is telling a five-year-old student to change his hair style.
Keyshawn Greene of Oak Cliff has a unique design shaved into his hair. Keyshawn's mother, Keisha Martin, said the design does not symbolize anything. Instead, it's just something her son enjoys. "I like it like this," said Keyshawn.
While he may like his hair, the principal at James Hogg Elementary School in North Oak Cliff has a different opinion.
"Today I was taking my kid to school. We stopped at the restroom, but the principal stopped me. She said he can't wear this design in his hair anymore," said Martin.
Martin said Principal Sylvia Segura told her that a spiral design on the side of her son's head had to go because it's a distraction to the other students. The design is slightly smaller than a tennis ball.
"The principal said it right in front of him, and my son was disappointed," said Martin.
The Dallas Independent School District admits the conversation took place. In a written statement to CBS 11, the district stated, "Each principal has the discretion and responsibility to minimize distractions within the learning environment. We respectfully request the parents' support in this endeavor."
But Keyshawn's family said it's a double standard, because the predominantly Hispanic school allows Latino students to have spiked hair.
"Some of those little boys wear their hair spiked and sticking up like those punk rockers," said Camelia Wafer, Keyshawn's grandmother.
The family said the spiral design in Keyshawn's hair has been there since school began two months ago. However, this is the first time they've received complaints.
The family said although they've been told the haircut must go, Keyshawn has not been banned from attending school.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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