The Moffat County School District said it never officially banned students from wearing “I Heart Boobies! Keep a Breast Alive!” bracelets.
The school district released a statement to faculty and parents on Monday, after allegations that it was restricting students’ freedom of expression.
Superintendent Joe Petrone said in a news release that in individual cases, students were asked to find an alternative to wearing the bracelets, which support breast cancer awareness. One example was asking a student to wear the bracelet inside out, Petrone said.
“MCSD actions in this matter were intended only to lessen interruptions to teaching and learning,” Petrone said. “Parents can rest assured that our vigilance over needless interruptions to teaching and learning will not be compromised.”
Earlier this month the father of an 8th-grade girl at Craig Middle School contacted the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado after his daughter was told to remove her bracelet, said ACLU spokeswoman Rosemary Harris Lytle.
The girl was told that the word “boobies” was offensive and that children her age should use the word “breast” instead, Harris Lytle said.
“Whether there was a written ban really doesn’t matter,” Harris Lytle said. “Students knew there would be a consequence to wearing the bracelets.”
The ACLU sent a 4-page letter to the school district, saying that students had a right to wear the bracelets.
“There was no evidence that the bracelet caused any disruption of learning,” Harris Lytle said. “Really, the greatest disruption happened when the school decided to prohibit the students’ right to wear the bracelets.”
In an effort to relieve concerns, the school district clarified that students may wear the bracelets.
The Keep A Breast Foundation produces the bracelets and calls the campaign an “authentic, inspiring, and refreshing” approach to educating young people about cancer support and early detection, according to the group’s website.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
