MMS PRINCIPAL RESPONDS TO STRICT RULES PROTESTS

We told you this week about new strict rules going into effect at Maplewood Middle School that will bar hats, sandals, bookbags and require students to walk on the right side of the hall.

The rules, set to take effect on Monday, have already brought opposition with some students penning protest letters to principal Jerrill Adams. 


Such opposition, including concerns about a ban on headware seeming to be anti-religious, sparked Adams to issue this note declaring it is a "work in progress."

Dear MMS Families:

The School Culture/PBIS Committee would like to thank the entire MMS community for your feedback on our new school-wide discipline plan. The plan is a work in progress and the committee takes all comments and concerns seriously and will use them to improve the plan for September 2015. One item about the plan that must be immediately clarified is the rule about head coverings. At no time has any member of the MMS staff informed students that head coverings for religious reasons are banned. We embrace the diversity of our students and fully permit and respect all head coverings for religious purposes. The power point presentation was making a reference to hats (baseball caps, knit caps, etc...).

Again, thank you for the feedback. We are still looking for parent volunteers to join the school culture committee, which meets every Friday from 3:15-4:00. Please email Assistant Principal, Mr. Marc Gold, at mgold@somsd.k12.nj.us, if you are interested.

Sincerely,

Jerrill M. Adams

Principal