Dress code to be modified in writing next year

Three high school students advocated for a change to their school's dress code after some controversy over a ban on head wraps. The three Malden High School students spoke during a district meeting Monday, challenging the ban, saying it is not disruptive. Cedrina Missamou said a teacher recently gave her an ultimatum. "Since there is no way of solving this, the only option is suspension unless you choose to take it off, and she called my parents actually," Missamou said. Birukti Tsige told the school committee as an Ethiopian Christian, she has always covered her head. "Head scarfs have been in the black community for a very long time," Tsige said. "We wear them at home, in church, as a symbol of faith, and we wear them outside as something we are proud of."Head wraps are allowed for religious purposes, but the teens argued they are also a cultural expression. "We are empowered by it," Tsige said. "We are empowered by something that was used to suppress us and I think that's powerful." In a rare move, the school committee unanimously voted in the students' favor. "They made a cogent argument and that's what we teach them in the classroom" Charles Grandson, acting superintendent said. The student dress code will be officially modified in writing next year. Get the WCVB News App

Three high school students advocated for a change to their school's dress code after some controversy over a ban on head wraps.

The three Malden High School students spoke during a district meeting Monday, challenging the ban, saying it is not disruptive. Cedrina Missamou said a teacher recently gave her an ultimatum.


"Since there is no way of solving this, the only option is suspension unless you choose to take it off, and she called my parents actually," Missamou said.

Birukti Tsige told the school committee as an Ethiopian Christian, she has always covered her head.

"Head scarfs have been in the black community for a very long time," Tsige said. "We wear them at home, in church, as a symbol of faith, and we wear them outside as something we are proud of."

Head wraps are allowed for religious purposes, but the teens argued they are also a cultural expression. "We are empowered by it," Tsige said. "We are empowered by something that was used to suppress us and I think that's powerful."

In a rare move, the school committee unanimously voted in the students' favor.

"They made a cogent argument and that's what we teach them in the classroom" Charles Grandson, acting superintendent said.

The student dress code will be officially modified in writing next year.