Hats on or off? (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

Hats off to the children who recently petitioned the school to alter the dress code. I can’t speak for other cultures, but many Americans are attached to their hats. I can’t explain it because I’ve always made my children take their hats off inside our house. If my kids are bothered by the family rule, they have never spoken up about it. That is on them. My husband and I are holdouts from two military fathers who, in turn, learned their hat-wearing rules from their parents. I’ve never questioned it.

My husband wears a hat suitable for the occasion, either for weather or sports situations. The only negative discussion I recall having about hats is when I asked my brother-in-law to take his cap off while at our dining table. He did it only because it was my house and at my request. When I visit his house, it is his rules and his home. Though I may disagree, I respect and adhere to his house rules.

The parents of those children who recently petitioned the school board should be proud of their accomplishment. We’ve learned a few things over the past couple of years; some people want to do what they want — regardless of rules and regulations. These children are unhappy with their situation, but they took the time to write out their reasons and approach the school board to modify their environment.

I’m not an educator, but I am a parent. When my children wear hats and hoodies in our car, they ignore me even if I’m yelling and waving my arms. Their head covering provides an imaginary boundary. Perhaps teachers face a similar experience? Being an educator is finding the balance between making sure children are comfortable as well as paying attention and learning. On a different note, perhaps kids leave their phones and earbuds at home and wear their hats?

Whatever the outcome of this latest dress code request, everyone should be looking toward these children as role models. They learned about procedures and how to transform school policy. They may not get the outcome they wish, but they have shown other children and adults that no one is too young to make a positive impact. Congratulations to everyone involved on being brave and showing others how to make helpful changes.