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Not in My Classroom: 10 of the Weirdest School Bans

By Christopher Coble, Esq. on September 15, 2016 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

All the kids are back to school, and many are leaving their favorite toys, clothes, and gadgets at home. Administrators and teachers are generally given a lot of leeway when it comes to policing schools and classrooms, meaning that, for the most part, what they say goes. And sometimes they say some weird things.

Hugs? Clapping? Here are ten of the weirdest things schools have banned.

1. Banned Books Week: Can Schools Ban Books?

Banned Books Week is coming up -- so how do institutions of learning get away with banning books?

2. School Does About-Face on American Flag Ban

And Old Glory? Luckily one school in South Carolina saw the error in its ways and only banned flags that create a driving hazard.

3. Chicago Public School Bans Bag Lunches

Nothing says "school" like a mom-prepared lunch in a little brown bag. Unless you attend Chicago's Little Village Academy, where every student has to eat school lunch.

4. Daycares Can No Longer Serve French Fries, Frosted Flakes

Obviously we want our children eating healthy. But no Tony the Tiger? No Freedom Fries? More like no fun if you ask us.

5. Flamin' Hot Cheetos Getting Banned at Schools

OK, we can maybe understand banning Cheetos, especially the Flamin' Hot variety, and especially considering what goes into those things.

6. Florida to Ban Saggy Pants in School?

Ah, the halcyon days of the "Pants on the Ground" movement. Schools can already ban distracting clothing and attire that exposes underwear, so why take our saggy pants?

7. Peyton Manning Jersey Banned at Middle School

Nope, it's nothing against Mr. Manning himself -- it's even odder than that. School officials were actually banning clothing bearing the number 18, which could be associated with a local 18th Street Gang.

8. College's Man Bun Ban Is More Than Words: Hairstyle Too Extreme

In the interest of fashion and saving misguided males from embarrassing themselves, BYU put the ban on the man bun.

9. Boy Banned from School Over Cystic Fibrosis Gene

On a sadder note, an 11-year-old was told he'd have to transfer just because he was a carrier for the gene that can cause cystic fibrosis. His parents are still fighting the case.

10. Pa. School Bans Halloween Over Religious Fears

All Hallow's Eve is right around the corner, so you might want to check with your child's school before sending them off in costume.

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