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Principal’s Pajama Policy Causes Heartbreak at Valentine’s Party
In a baffling decision that left many heartbroken, the principal of a Brooklyn elementary school made headlines for excluding students from a Valentine’s Day party based on their attire. The principal, Greg Thompson, required kids to wear pajamas for the “Valentine’s Pajama Jam” held at PS 202, which featured dancing, a deejay, and, of course, cupcakes. The catch? If you weren’t in pajamas, you were out.
The event was supposed to be a fun-filled three hours on February 12, but for many low-income students, it turned into a nightmare. Parents and teachers were understandably outraged after learning that kids were turned away for not meeting the pajama requirement, which was not clearly stated in the flyer sent home just two days prior. Reports indicated that several children were left in tears because they didn’t know pajamas were a must-have. “No pjs, no party,” was the mantra echoing through the school halls, as Thompson personally inspected students’ outfits.
One fifth-grader, Danny, showed up in his favorite basketball shorts—the very thing he sleeps in—and was still denied entry. “I changed in the bathroom,” the 10-year-old lamented, “but the principal said, ‘That’s not pajamas, go back to the lunch room.’” His mother was understandably upset, questioning why her son, a good student, was excluded for something as trivial as clothing.
Sure, matching pajama sets can be adorable, but not every child has a pair stashed in their closet. “Maybe their pajamas have holes or are too small,” said one frustrated mom. “You don’t know if they’re poor or sleep in underwear and a T-shirt.” This should have been a key consideration for Thompson, especially since a whopping 91% of the students at PS 202 come from low-income households. As the head of the school, he should have been more attuned to the realities facing his students.
This isn’t the first time a principal has made a blunder like this; another educator was removed last June after excluding kids from a school carnival for not paying a fee. The Department of Education has already made it clear that all students must be included in school activities, yet here we are again, facing a blatant oversight. It’s baffling that a leader in education needs to be reminded that the goal of a school event is inclusivity, not exclusion. What are the other kids supposed to do while their classmates dance the afternoon away?
In summary, themed parties should be about fun and togetherness, not an arbitrary dress code that inadvertently ostracizes students. This principal should take a page from the playbook of inclusion and sensitivity, especially when planning events meant for all.
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