All Marcella Marino wanted was to feel like a princess in her school pictures. But when school officials got a look at the 4-year-old's Lady Gaga-inspired 'do, they banned her from the class photo, leaving her in tears.
The toddler had asked her father Marcello, a hairdresser, to re-create Gaga's famous "hair bow" in tribute to her favorite singer. Amazingly he constructed the look entirely with Marcella's own locks; still her Kent, England school was less than impressed. Apparently they have a strict bow policy -- only allowing blue or maroon ribbon -- and told the tot to take a hike.
“When she went for the school photo on Monday, she was told she wasn't allowed to wear her hair in that style because of the dress code,” her dad told the Daily Mail.
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The school photo at Ramsgate Holy Trinity Primary School was ultimately canceled because of a scheduling conflict, but the family was told not to style Marcella's hair that way again.
I'm all for dress codes -- they help teach kids discipline -- but come on! The school totally overstepped its bounds here. This entire scenario is incredibly ridiculous and more than a little bit cruel. At this age kids are supposed to be learning to express themselves in different ways. It's not as though she came to class wearing a ton of makeup, dressed like a hooker, or in a meat bikini (a la Toddlers & Tiaras).
Shouldn't parents and teachers be encouraging cute, age-appropriate creativity? These kinds of rules will only teach Marcella that it is not okay to be herself, which ultimately creates more harm than good.
Do you think the school overreacted?
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Comments 267
I do feel sad that the poor child was told her hair was unacceptable, but generally the school (at least the one my children attended) will send home a paper stating clearly what is and is not acceptable to be worn and not worn on picture day, and it is the parents job to be sure their child's attire adheres to those polices.
I do and I think that hair cutt is just adorable on her!!
Jill - I bet you are right and she will!
Btw, I made a hairbow in my bathroom with the help of youtube.