Meriden students speak up about "no scarf" dress code

MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Students being told, "no scarves," sparked some frustration in Meriden's two public high schools. 

Just days ago, two Maloney High School School students would've been called down to the principal's office.

"People think it's like gang related. It's just wearing a scarf and it's comfortable," said Nyrka Soto.

"If you're gonna call me down out of class for like a scarf," said Kiala Foy.

Kiala Foy was called down several times. She almost always wears fashion scarves.

"I was gonna put a petition out to be honest with you," said Foy.

"Really," asked News 8's Logan.

"Yeah," said Foy.

She says fashion scarves are an accessory and should've never been included in the dress code at Meriden's High Schools. 

Interim Principal, Jennifer Straub, agrees.

"How does that pose a safety risk? It just simply doesn't," said Straub.

But, Straub does have an issue with outdoor scarves worn indoors. 

"You could conceal who you are. Big bulky outerwear that you could hide something in it, that you could have something unsafe on your person and conceal it," said Straub.

"It's more of a distraction in class when we have the loud speaker going off saying, 'students, if you have any scarves on , take them off,'" said Matt Matarese.

So Matt Matarese and a female student, both representatives for the board of education, decided to speak up at a meeting.

"I said let's be careful how we bring it up, not just barge in there and try and start a war with the board of education, but she did an excellent job conveying the concerns of the student body," said Matarese.

"I love that she felt comfortable enough," said Straub.

Now, fashion scarves are allowed.

"I'm like surprised right now," said Soto.

So what's next on the students' agenda? Standing up for cell phone use. They're already preparing an argument for this one. 

"I think that electronic devices can be a very valuable tool and asset to learning and the education process but it's about proper usage of it. Obviously, texting your friend in the middle of class, that's not getting any work done, but we all have iPhones and can use the internet on them," said Matarese