School Rules

The time is a Friday afternoon. The place is in the first floor hallway of a small private school. Hailey, a senior in high school, is stopped on her way to last period by the principal patrolling the halls.

Principal (Writing a dress code slip) How many times have I talked to you about that thing in your nose? And you don’t even have the courtesy to cover up that tattoo.

Hailey I don’t really understand why it’s such a big deal.

Principal (handing Hailey the slip) As soon as the bell rings come to my office so we can discuss this matter more thoroughly.

Hailey (rolling her eyes) Yes, ma’am.

The school bell rings and Hailey packs her book bag before reluctantly heading off to the principal’s office. She knocks on the door waiting for a reply.

Principal Come in Hailey, nice to see you again.

Hailey How long is this gonna take? I’m kind of in a hurry.

Principal (motioning to the chair across from desk) Take a seat. We’ll take as much time as we need to resolve this little issue.

Hailey (sits down and mumbles under her breath) Let’s just get this over with!

Principal It clearly states in the school’s handbook that no more than a single piercing of the ear is allowed. I don’t understand how this is confusing.

Hailey Well, it’s kind of a stupid rule. What does it matter?

Principal Your attitude isn’t helping you right now; I’m just trying to help you in the long run. I’m really not trying to put you down. I just want you to try to understand why we have this as a rule at our institution.

Hailey I don’t think that my personal choice is affecting anyone else at this school. It was my own choice to get my nose pierced and get my tattoo. What does that have to do with anyone else?

Principal That’s not necessarily true. You may not realize how much of an influence you have on other students but many others do look up to you. Also, the choices you make for yourself still reflect on our school as a whole. We don’t want people to assume that our entire school if filled with trouble making students.

Hailey You don’t want people to think we are a bunch of trouble makers?! You obviously don’t know me on a personal level because I’ve never done anything to get into major trouble. I have an A average, I tutor little kids after school and I’m in tons of clubs. Why don’t you tell these people who think students with piercings are trouble makers that?

Principal I do understand why this is upsetting but you need to realize that sometimes people do only judge you by your appearance.

Hailey But I don’t care what those people think. If they don’t take the time to get to know me before assuming that I am a delinquent because of the way I look, their opinion doesn’t really matter to me.

Principal People don’t always have a chance to get to know you before they judge you. First impressions are very important and the way you look plays a large role in how others perceive you. Having these things right now may be the cool thing to do but what about in a few years, don’t you think it may be difficult for you to land a job? Employers may not be able to fully respect you and take you seriously.

Hailey If they don’t respect me because of a nose ring or a tattoo, they aren’t the kind of people I’d want to work for anyway. This tattoo is really important to me. It wasn’t just a dare or something I did on a whim. My little brother was sick for a long time and about a year ago his leukemia finally defeated him. I got this tattoo so I could remember his strength and the optimism he always had even close to the end. I really don’t see how that could possibly make me a bad kid.

Principal I’m sorry you had to go through such a tragic even, but rules are rules, Hailey.

Hailey Don’t you agree with anything I’ve said?

Principal While you have made some valid points I’m afraid we can’t make an exception for one student. I’m also sorry to say that our time here is up. (Retrieving another slip from her desk drawer) Thanks to your attitude, however, you’ll have plenty of time to think of other things wrong with our trusty handbook throughout the next week in detention.

Hailey (Taking the slip and frowning although she is careful not to roll her eyes again) Yes ma’am.

Principal Very good, now have a great weekend, Hailey. I plan to see you on Monday without that thing in your nose!

Hailey gets out of her seat and gathers her belongings. She is very careful not to show any sort of attitude though.

Hailey You have a great weekend too, ma’am.

Hailey leaves the office shutting the door behind her.