School Bans Ugg Boots Over Cell Phone Smuggling
Pottstown Middle School has started a unique clothing ban for an even more unique reason. The Philadelphia-area school recently instituted an Ugg ban over cell phones.
The ban actually encompasses all "open top boots." Students may still don the fur-lined footwear but must change into different shoes before class.
Apparently some clever teens were using the boots to smuggle in prohibited items -- including cell phones. Cell phones are permitted in the school. Except students must turn them off and keep them in their locker between 7:55 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., reports The Mercury.
Except some students were managing to sneak phones into classrooms --through their shoes.
Unsurprisingly, students were displeased with the new rule. The Mercury posted news of the ban on their Facebook page and received many comments. Only a few were actually supportive. One individual commented that the boot restriction was "absurd."
Others expressed their belief the ban would be unproductive. Students could still try to sneak in phones in other places like socks and bras.
Most states permit dress codes in schools with certain caveats. Dress codes usually cannot be unreasonable or discriminatory.
Banning Uggs does not seem like it would be unreasonable or discriminatory. Students will still be allowed to wear them outside classrooms -- just not inside. One school official even made an analogy. He said the ban was similar to asking students to take off their hats in class.
Other boots will still be permissible. Only those shoes dubbed "open top" are not allowed. This means students can still wear tight lace-up boots.
Will the Ugg ban really eliminate cell phones in classrooms? That remains to be seen. Pottstown Middle School's policies only recently went into effect.
Related Resources:
- Pennsylvania District Bans Fur-lined Boots Over Cellphones (Huffington Post)
- Ten Commonly Asked Questions on Student Rights (FindLaw)
- Florida to Ban Saggy Pants in School? (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life)
- Could UGG Boots Cause Foot Fungus, Back Pain? (FindLaw's Injured)
