So when our kids catch cold from not being able to wear scarves or jackets, who do we sue?

I think maybe they mean that the kids just can't wear scarves and jackets in the school building and in the classrooms all day, not that they can't wear them to and from school.  I think that the not wearing jackets in the building has something to do with not being able to hide anything in the jackets or the pockets of the jacket.  It is a sad commentary, actually, that these rules have to be made, but there has been a certain element in the school community that have done things to make it necessary, and the innocent also have to suffer the consequences.    

Our middle schools here do not allow students to wear jackets inside the school.  They have to put them in their lockers during the day.  They give a variety of reasons, mostly they say they are a distaction   It doesn't make any sense being that they can wear them in the elementary schools and high schools. Also, the last week of school each year no student is allowed to bring any type of bag, whether it is gym bag, satchel, book bags, etc. to school.  They are that afraid of weapons being hidden on the students.  During that time all girls must have their purses searched or they are prohibited from carrying them on school property.  It is such a different world than when I went to school.......absolutely scary.

I understand the "hiding things in jackets", but either get metal detectors and/or keep the classrooms warm enough. And make scarves ok except certain colors if there are gang issues. No kid should have to be cold in class, or have a cold neck. It was the extreme of the ban that got me along with not being able to wear a jacket/scarf if they're cold. I've had to sit in cold rooms, but not everyday for so many hours a day. Unless I've been given a cold office. In that case, I complain until they get the heat fixed and I've always had the option of adding more clothes. It just seems wrong that a kid can't. What are they going to ban next? Bulky sweaters? How about dealing with the gun/gang issue instead of clothing bans?

The HS across the street from me used to be one of the worse. Thanks to Bloomberg it has improved a lot over the past few years. Now they have broken it into charter schools. Same kids, but different vibe. Past and present, they have rules about going in and out. Go in through certain doors, can't leave once in etc. They have metal detectors and on site security. One of the charters (maybe all now) has uniforms. Casual Gap style. The cops haven't shown up there much since the city started giving a damn. Used to be a common occurrence. Smaller classes, more interaction/interest on the part of the teachers/students, respect and a good learning experience goes a long way. The communities also need more support. The Pastor we give our extra CSA distribution to brings rival gang members together, feeds families that need help etc.  Although, the students they interviewed at the school didn't seem to be a product of poor 'hoods and gangs, if there's a fear there, they should deal with the core issue, not ban clothes. (IMNSHO     )

It's amazing that you should even have to type that. Really sad state we've gotten to. I don't have kids, but if I'm still in NYC when Bloomberg runs again, I'll stand in line because he truly does care about the schools and the city overall. I'm sure there's some ego involved, but it's the right kinda ego, not a political one. Putting band aids on the school/gang issues (banning clothes) is just pathetic. Communities care just as much as parents do about schools/education/safety. If administrations would really realize that, they would have far more support and be much more effective.

The security across the street has a pretty good relationship with the kids. You always see them interacting and laughing etc. Even before the school started going through improvements. Many have been there for a good 7 yrs or more. Most I hear from them is reminding the kids to "keep it moving, you know the rules!" when they congregate in large groups around the school.

I'll never get why we don't put a higher priority on our future. And that includes infrastructure etc. Isn't that supposed to be the American Dream?