Wearing hoods, having cellphones on are not allowed in Calvert schools

When Calvert County’s next school year begins in August something will be missing from students’ heads — hoods.

In finalizing the revised code of conduct for Calvert County Public Schools, a majority of school board members voted to forbid students from wearing hoods in the school building.

After making her motion to enact the hood prohibition, board member Lisa Grenis clarified that students could still wear hooded sweatshirts in school but the hoods must be off the heads.

Grenis cited a recent 12-question survey submitted to educators that drew nearly 1,300 responses, with a strong majority favoring the ban.

In lobbying for a policy change, Grenis has stated that some students are wearing the hoods up to conceal earbuds, thus ignoring classroom instruction or evading recognition by teachers and administrators in the event of a disruptive situation.

Larry Titus, the school system’s school safety specialist, confirmed the difficulty in positively identifying a student whose image is captured on surveillance camera if a hood conceals his or her head.

“I’ve been told there’s many reasons why kids want to wear hoods and it’s not all nefarious,” board member Dawn Balinski said. “Sometimes it’s because you’re having a bad hair day.”

Cecilia Lewis, director of student services, who was advised by a large committee on the code of conduct rewrite, confirmed that there can be special instances where “the preservation of a student’s dignity” is taken into consideration. Students must be proactive in seeking that preservation, Lewis indicated.

“We’re not removing all things worn on the head,” Grenis said. “We’re removing one thing.”

Attending her first meeting as the student member of the board, Grace Minakowski stated, “I don’t think that banning hoods addresses the underlying issues of students vaping and students getting into fights. It concerns me that we’re not looking towards why are students getting into fights and why are students vaping. We’re just going for the quick grab — ’let’s ban hoods.’”

Minakowski was allowed to vote on Grenis’ motion and cast the lone vote against the modification to the code of conduct change regarding hoods. Board president Antoine White and board vice president Inez Claggett opted to abstain.

The board then voted unanimously to approve the complete revised code of conduct.

Earlier this spring, the board discussed changes to the policy regarding electronic and communication devices. Those changes were included in the newly adopted code of conduct.

The change stated, “Students may bring cellular phones to school but are not permitted to bring other electronic or communication devices, such as personal laptops, because Calvert County Public Schools provides laptops to students in grades 3-12 and iPads for students in grades pre-k to 2.”

The policy revision also addresses cellphone procedures.

“Students may bring their phone, but once school begins, the device must be powered off — not on vibrate or silent mode — and must remain in a non-visible, secure location with noted exceptions in high school,” according to the policy.

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