The Moffat County School District says 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 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 eighth-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. Jordan Steffen, The Denver Post
