Uggs Banned in Philadelphia Middle School
Uggs are a staple in any school wardrobe. Choosing comfort over style, people wear these glorified slippers as the weather gets colder. These pricey boots are crafted from sheepskin, which makes them extraordinarily comfortable. While they are often put in the “joke footwear” category along with Crocs and those barefoot shoe gloves, these boots from Australia are in every closet across America.
The thick lining of these boots are good for more things than keeping your toes warm. Kids in a Philadelphia middle school gave the comfy shoes one more function–hiding banned cell phones. Most schools outlaw the use of cell phones during school hours, but in 2012 every preteen is addicted to their mobile device. Keeping a phone stowed away in a locker for eight hours or more could be painful to a student body that is addicted to their smartphones, and finding a clever hiding place to get around the rules is crucial.
The students at suburban Pennsylvania’s Pottstown Middle School took to hiding their phones in the thick padding of their Ugg boots. While they got away with this clever stunt for awhile, the administration soon caught up with the not-so-stealth hiding place. Frustrated with the sneaky student body, the administration decided to ban Ugg boots in an effort to stop cell phone usage.
“Cell phones are a problem for obvious reasons,” John Armato, the director of community relations told Reuters.
While cell phones are a distraction, cold feet during the frigid east coast winter is a greater distraction. Students at Pottstown must wear more form-fitting shoes to school. Not surprisingly, many of those involved in the ban are outraged by the decision.
“I understand there may be a handful of kids that shove cell phones down their boots, but why does the handful have to ruin it for the other 600 students? But, I said to my daughter, ‘It’s a rule and we’re going to follow it,’” said Adrienne Beyer, a parent.
If Uggs were banned at my university, sorority girls would riot. While I’ve always resisted the popular boots, people should have a right to wear what they want as long as it is appropriate. Instead of creating stricter rules, schools should adjust to the changing times. Accepting that cell phones are an imperative part of the lives of teenagers and giving some leeway in the usage of these technologies might be a smart move. Until then, things are getting Ugg-ly.
