Appeals court upholds 5-year-old student’s right to have long hair

From The Houston Chronicle: A federal appeals court has ruled that a Texas school district cannot punish an American Indian kindergartner for wearing his hair in traditional braids to express his family's religious beliefs. The ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upholds a Houston lower court ruling. The 5-year-old boy's parents argued that their son has a constitutional right to wear a hairstyle that conforms to his American Indian religious beliefs. The boy wears his 13-inch-long hair in two braids outside his shirt. The Needville Independent School District argued its grooming policy requires a boy's hair to not cover his ears or touch the top of his shirt collar. The policy was designed to teach proper hygiene, promote discipline and avoid disruptions in school.