Let him show support for breast cancer. It isn't harming anything. We have much bigger issues in schools to deal with. If a boy wants to wear a headband let him.

Wear a T shirt instead.

don't really see what the problem is here. he wants to show breast cancer support -- so let him. making him take it off just because he's a "guy" and it's a "distraction"? sure let's just keep enforcing gender roles here. NOW the headband topic is a distraction because adults are bringing attention to it. it is my bet that if nobody said anything, the other kids wouldn't even care about what he was doing. don't understand why these middle schools are so strict about their dress code. it's not like any of these kids have any skin to even show anyways.

I think there is a bigger issue here with the school and system in general. I under stand what they are trying to do but they're taking it too far. If this were my child I would be climbing the ladder of authority and till we found someone who would listen. If no one wants to listen then you go to the media. I don't know if this story has been on the news or not but I bet there are plenty of reporters that would love to share a story about how is school would not let a young man show his support of a topic that is near and dear to his heart. I fully support his efforts and hope he continues to push the subject shame on the school for being so ridiculous and narrow minded

Listen to your parents....drop it.

I commend Samuel Queen for his commitment towards this cause. We as adults and a nation preach that we need to get our youth involved in topics such as this to make sure that awareness is distributed in all age groups and when they do we have organizations that try to squash it. Harford County schools are completely out of touch with reality and always take a broad stroke approach at correctional measures instead of attacking the problem. The headwear rule is that type of approach. I know it's easy for us to say, "why can't he just pick out a shirt or something to wear in support". Yeah we could but what if it's pink and the administration don't want to see a boy wearing pink cause it might be a "distraction to smooth operations"? Where does the idiotic decisions stop with HCPS? I've had my fights with them over other issues that they are less than adequate at dealing with so I am not suprised at this. I don't question rules that are in place that actually curb activity that is not productive for the learning environment but I due question rules put into place so that administrations don't have to deal with serious issues and allows them to have to not respond to it. Answer this. What is so distracting or wrong with a child shaving his head and wearing a headband that is in support of the #1 killer in America. We should be supporting more youth to act in this way. Not tearing them down!! IMHO

It is in my opinion that making a big deal about a boy wearing a head band in support of breast cancer and forcing him to take it off is more of a distraction than letting him wear it would have been. Perhaps schools should focus more on educating the kids and stop worrying about silly dress code issues. It's not like the kid was wearing gang wear or anything inappropriate was hanging out.

Listen to your parents and drop it? We should listen to everyone shouldn't we? Always conform and never question authority? If you are into that type of lifestyle, James, why don't you move to a communist country? This is a kid trying to do a nice thing and it being taken way to far. There is an element of harassment in this situation, by the school. The child is being discriminated because of his gender. There should be a lawsuit here. Children seem to let the world down more and more everyday, but when a child decides to stand out for a good cause he is frowned upon and forced to conform back to his proper place? This great country... that we seemingly used to know... was built by individuals who did not want to be like everyone else. There is a deeper message than what the surface shows here, James.

-Sam's brother Jake

^ couldn't have said it better.

I do not think I will tell my kids to drop it!! What is the harm? Kids can have pink, blue and green hair on any given day! I commend this boy for supporting a good cause and for standing his ground on something that is important to him. This is so wrong in many ways and the school needs to pick their battles, and this is not one of them!

I love that this boy wrote in to the Patch on his own....you know what happened??? HE HAS EVERYONE HERE TALKING ABOUT BREAST CANCER. Which IS the point...well done young man.

I'm think it's awesome that he's standing up, and I love his support. I agree wear a shirt or something; it still makes the point. But I look at the other side. Kids pick on him because they are too narrow minded, and don't understand his reasoning. Then the distraction takes place. Maybe it was distracting to begin with, and that's why he was asked. Schools are concerned with the major increase in bullying, and ways to prevent and keep the classrooms safe. Who really knows why the school asked him to remove it.

Sam, If you were my son, I would be so proud ! Keep it up !!!!!

I think you should buy a whole bunch of them and give them to your friends at school... and have everyone wearing them... boys and girls.

And HCPS.. .shame on you !

I have serious doubts a 12 year old boy would write a letter to Patch independently without being goaded by an adult.

I agree with most of the post on here. This young man should stand up and support a cause. But I feel the school is looking at a bigger picture. Sure today we allow this boy to support his cause, now tomorrow another child comes in and wants to support his cause and maybe his cause is a sore subject to some. But its his cause. Now, how can you send him home? If you allow one child to support their cause then you must allow ALL children to support their cause. And that is where the underlining problem is. That is how you “distract from smooth school operations.” You cant allow the school to pick and choice what they feel would be appropriate causes for each child. So they make a blanket rule. Its sad that we live in such a PC world. Because Samuel Queen’s cause is a valid cause. But, I read a story today where a middle school girl went to school wearing a shirt that read “ I enjoy vagina” because she claimed she was bi-sexual and was showing support to her belief. Ummmm should this be allowed in school? I would think not. But again, if you allow one child to support their cause, how can you tell another child they cannot support theirs. Again, very obvious, this girl’s shirt was way out there, but its her cause. Is it a big difference from Breast Cancer? Sure in some folks eyes yes. But who are we to tell people where their passions should fall. Blanket Policy. Cover all bases.

as soon as children learn how to talk...we start telling them to be quiet..... this young man and all others like him have my support!!!

I congratulate your efforts in this important endeavor and your committment to these efforts. You are passionate about showing your support and I am certain your parents must be proud of your initiative. You have already succeeded in spreading the word and furthering the cause during Breast Cancer Awareness month.

I love that you want to wear something and show support, however, I work in a school and I for one, could see how this could be a distraction to other students. I would recommend changing from a headband to a rubber bracelet with appropriate words instead. Then it really shouldn't t be an issue and all could be happy.

THIS IS BEL AIR MIDDLE GO BACK AND WALK.

In my opinion for this month i think anything to support breast cancer should be allowed.

Let him wear the damn headband. It makes others aware. Would they make a Muslim not wear their headgear????????

There is many diffrent was to support so why get in trouble for wearing the headband? all im gonna say is that its not fair that some kids can dye there diffrent colors and that sort of thing but he cant wear a headband. I dont think he should drop this, he is doing this for a good cause and i support him!

The headwear rule is a direct result of the administration not wanting to deal with "gang" issues or issues that are connected to it. So they make the broad stroke rule so that they don't have to address the issue. They don't have to explain the reason for the rule, just that they are "trying to avoid distractions". BS HCPS BS!!!

YAY Sam! I worked in the Elementary school Sam attended when he shaved his head in support of his Uncle. Sam is a great kid and I think we do have bigger issues to worry about in the school system. As a supporter of breast cancer due to it affecting many friends and family members I think it's great that children are showing support and he could be wearing worse. Let's put our energy into something that is going on in our school system alot more important than children supporting cancer!
I'm proud of you Sam!

Way to go, Sam!! Thanks for supporting cancer!!
LIVESTRONG!!

I agree with sam it is not right just because he is a guy shouldn't mean that he can not wear a headband they are not distracting at all! I am not trying to be disrespectful of the rules but it is for a good cause and I know Sam would never wear a headband just for fun he does it for a cause he supports.

I find it almost comical, yet sad at the same time, that everyone wants to be treated equally except when it comes to something they "believe" in. Colleen said it best in that you can't pick and choose the rules that you want to enforce and who you enforce them upon. The ruling had been made long before this incident occurred, yet no one had a problem with it until now? Now Sam is being treated the same as his peers (the other males in the school who are not prermitted to wear headbands) and that level of equality and "fairness" is now wrong?? Now adults (presumably) suggest that if you don't like the answer you get, from one, keep asking until you get the answer you want? You suggest "...climbing the ladder of authority until you get someone who is willing to listen..." Please, say what you really mean to say in that you don't like what you heard from one, so your best response it to continue to ask the question to different "authorities" until you get the answer you want to hear. That's definitely NOT the lesson I want my children to learn or think is acceptable.

Here's an idea... accept the fact that you may not know all the reasoning behind the decision that banned males from wearing headbands (it probably had very little to do with middle schools), realize that they are enforcing the rule equally to all, and be glad that the rules are being enforced.

Well Sam i am proud of you taking a stand...So since some of the comments are encouraging T-Shirt support go and get one that says...."Save the TA-TA's"or would that be a distraction as well?i There are MANY pieces of apparell that raise awareness for many causes and I applaud him for his standing up for what he supports..The school system can be very close minded in alot of their "POLICIES"and they also depend on the individual schools to uphold said policies......This is where it starts some schools enforce policy harder then others hence this issue....Now if u go to another school in the county there may b a student who is wearing the same head band and nothing is said my point...EVERY school picks and chooses how hard they uphold policy and the ONLY way it becomes a board issue is if the individual school mmakes it an issue.If I have read this article correctly his parents have asked him "To drop the topic" so at the end of the day he should lisen to his parents....AFTER ALL it starts at home:)

It's a county school rule. There is a reason for this rule, so just drop it!
Perhaps, wear it on you wrist or arm, put it on your car. Wear it before and after school.

Some of you are so rude to this kid who is trying to stand up for a cause. You are so quick to judge this kid who is president of his middle school, on the honor roll, a multi-sport athlete with a couple of state titles. He is some hooligan in your eyes because he questions authority and their reasoning behind a decision? I agree with the earlier post, "Once a child is born we teach them to speak, and once they can speak we teach them to shut up". I am very disheartened to see that the people from this wonderful town in Bel Air can view this child as a problem. Meanwhile Harford County is a huge drug capital and Bel Air is at the center of it. As a recent High School grad I can tell you that kids are taking prescription pills and much more dangerous drugs that far exceed marijuana and getting high IN THE SCHOOLS. These kids get in trouble but you don't see reflections on the schools, because you never hear about it. They censor it. Because everything is perfect right? I applaud Sam for his questioning. He is nothing like some of the people here who "know" everything you hear and read from a figure of "power" must be true.

Samuel Queen. . . I have breast cancer and commend you for your stand and support of this terrifying fight. We should support this young man who sets an example for our youth to not be ashamed of cancer victims that we all know and love. I live in Bel Air and would like to help this young man to change the school rule in any way I can.

This is the same in alot of schools Cecil County also. My grandchild was told she was not allowed to wear a shirt that had anything to do with breast cancer. I bought her one and told her to wear it because this is a cause we should all be aware of. Not just women but men can get breast cancer also. To me this is prejadice toward the boys in in his school. If they wanted to do a fundraiser would they say guys could not participate ....I don't think so. If you have a child that is serious about the support of Breast Cancer I think it should be allowed....this is just plain senseless.

Sam, keep up your dedication to the cause you strongly support. You're creating important conversations that will hopefully bring changes.

Proud of Sam!!! if a young lady was loosing or lost her hair to do reason out of her control and chose to wear a headband would anyone have the NERVE to tell her she didnt have any/enough hair to do so???

Way to go Sam. Continue to stand up for what you believe in!

There are girl wearing shorts a half inch shy of a "full view", and hcps makes a fuss over a headband worn for a cause?

The Ravens and 5 million other groups/ businesses show support for breast cancer, but a boy in middle school does and all goes haywire?

Pathetic.

Go Sam. Theres nothing wrong with that.

Give the school a choice: that headband or a "Save the boobies" t-shirt

If the cause is really the reason, the wear the headband around your neck.....I work in a middle school and allowing this would spawn all sorts of causes and reasons to go against policy

Sam is my grandson, he also lost a great aunt from breast cancer. My sister, and Sarah Olivera's Mother. Cancer of many kinds is all around us. I coment Sam for taking this stand... Way to go Sam Queen

I don't believe ANYONE is saying this is not a good cause to support, and that Sam should not show his support to fight breast cancer (or any cancer). The only issue is the particular apparel he has chosen. I truly applaud Sam and ALL the kids. It seems the kids can't do anything anymore without police being called, or someone finding fault. I know these are rough times with gangs, etc., and we don't want to encourage that sort of thing. But Dude--just wear something else and not on your head!! I like someone's comment about wearing it around your neck. Our kids are good! And they deserve to express themselves. But in some instances, we need to use caution.

What if the head band was supporting something you did not approve of? The school system can't get in the middle of that slippery slope. It has a policy on headware. I suggest he follow it and wear an appropriate shirt.

Yes but there is no ppolicy against wearing shirts in General. The idea of a dress code is to not need to make exceptions for but what about. No headbands is no headbands.

HCPS is akin to a nazi organization...

CB9678. . . I get the school rule but during October (Breast Cancer Month) let the kid be proud of his loved one's fight and spark awareness to support this struggle.

First off, stop saying Sam couldn't write a letter. Understand that the young man is gifted and do not be surprised if he surpasses your educational expertise when you were the same age. The reason he was bringing the drama was because of the result.. look at all of the shares, posts, comments on this. HE IS GETTING HIS AWARENESS OUT THROUGH A SECONDHAND SOURCE. Also as for the school systems policies. He told me that he took the EXACT same headband into school and a female student was able to wear it without repercussion. So that now brings in an element of discrimination on the schools part. And seriously, stop saying my brother isn't capable of writing a letter. He is not a brainwashed follower like the rest of the simpleminded town. Question everything, if you can't do that for yourself than you don't respect yourself.

CB9678 what is the significance of April 20th?

So CB9678, the item was deemed a distraction, whether it is serving a purpose or not. The female student could have used a restraint that was not a distraction. Also, it was not until 4 days after the incident that he was told it was a distraction, he was told he could not wear it because he was a guy originialy. Where is the rebuttal to that? There is a problem within the HCPS system and I do not need you giving me reasons to support their wrong actions. And I am supportive of this situation getting attention because it still will always bring up his initial goal every time it is spoken of. The staff at Bel Air Middle should admit they are wrong and simply just apologize to Samuel. If they are going to have all students follow a defined definition of harassment with discrimination included in it, whether it is race, gender, or sexual orientation... The school should also be held to the same guidelines.

I am not the Superintedent, but I do know what takes place in schools, specifically with students of this age bracket. I work in one! Clearly I have an understanding of the policies I am tasked with enforcing. I tell you as a matter of fact teachers do not go looking for dresscode violations. We don't have time to. When they present themselves and become an issue we deal with them. I am aware my tax money does pay my own salary. I find it interesting your story differs greatly from your brother who was the actual "victim." I can also tell you enforcement of the purse rule at our school defines small purse as not being able to contain a planner book.

Well what are you doing on the patch right now if you should be working? Aren't there headband issues that need to be taken care of? How is there "not time" to look over the issues with the dress code and immoral decisions by the staff, but there is time to debate with a college student who is completely absent from this subject? The hole is getting dug deeper and deeper here. There needs to be education reformation within our whole country but it wouldn't hurt to start in Harford County. We stopped improving our school system and have focused on simplifying it. Yet we make the simple things complicated. Problems get tossed away but money still gets spent. On what though? I don't know but it still finds a way to disappear. The reason the current generation is so problematic is because the ones teaching them are too. There are good teachers and they care deeply for their kids, but there are also lifeless individuals who just simply don't care, that are called "teachers" to the children. The system that I have went through did very little to prepare me for the real world. Middle school felt more like a freedom-less concentration camp than a place of learning. And I do not need some textbook response. There are KNOWN problems that are just being ignored.

Oh for the sake of grammar! Okay. I enjoyed our fun times.

Annie: you raise a good point. However, I feel we should make an exception for the month of October and let kids wear breast cancer support headwear, footwear whateverwear to promote support and spark conversation for breast cancer. If others feel the need to support another cause and it's not hurting anyone, the school can deal with each petition case by case. I have no children and I want my portion of tax dollars that go to public schools in Bel Air to support Sam's right to wear headwear supporting breast cancer during the month of October. Care to take it to a judge and see what he or she has to say?

It's real simple. Just follow the rules of school. Headbands or sweatbands are not allowed, unless holding hair down. There's no need to make a big deal about a headband. Wear it as a neckless, get a pink t-shirt, get several different shirts to wear all week long, make a bracelet, wear it as a bracelet; just double it. Schools don't have time for all this debating. Simply follow rules set by the adults and school system. You are a child and need to learn respect for your school, adults and administrators. Believe me they have your best interest at heart. You can show your support in other ways and after school wear the headband. It is wonderful you show your support for your family, but be respectful and find other ways to show support that does work with the rules of your school. God Bless.

Your simpleminded, without question, conformity worries me about future generations.

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/clothing-dress-codes-uniforms

Feel free to read through as much as you want. "school officials cannot censor student expression unless they can show that the clothing will disrupt the school environment. They contend that Tinker stands for the fundamental principle that students have the right to wear clothing with messages, just as the students in the 1960s could wear black armbands to protest the Vietnam War."

VolunteerMom2. How about the school rule that says pull your pants up around your waste. Lots of boys don't follow that rule and nothing is said but one kid wears a headband to support fighting against a deadly disease and all hell breaks loose.

Yeah, Jake Q. Let's stick with the discrimination angle. What if Sam likes to wear headbands just like the girls do. Is the school assuming that only girls wear headbands. That's discriminatory.

Do you have an attorney to file a complaint with the school

How about turning this into a positive event. Get the school on board with sponsoring a "Support Breast Cancer Awareness Day/Week" (SBCA) where eveyone gets to wear predetermined and school appropriate items. Have a fundraiser selling some SBCA items for kids to purchase and wear. Turn your lemon juice into lemonade!