Actually, you're comparing apples and oranges. If there is a dress code, one must follow the dress code. Religious garb is an exemption. If the girl was a part of a religion that required flamingo hats, she would be allowed to wear her hat. I don't know if you're trolling, or if you're actually confused about this, but I decided to explain anyways. So no, wearing clothing for fun =/=wearing clothing for religious purposes. The rules do apply to everyone, a Christian can wear a cross, a Jewish man can wear a yarmulke, a Sikh man can wear a turban, and a Hindu woman can put vermillion on her forehead. However, these people could probably not wear flamingo hats. Therefore, the rules do apply to everyone.

I agree with 32, and don't understand if 29 was being serious or not, because the OP and the other person in the story are completely different situations.. and it shouldn't okay for just anyone to break the dress code. Religious beliefs are just what are considered "special circumstances"

I definitely agree with what 29 is saying. Religion seems to be put on a pedestal where somehow it's immune to rules and regulations that apply to everything and everyone else, and I don't see why that would be, it's a matter of choice and opinion that should not make you deserve a special treatment. (And just so you know, I'm religious myself, I'm not speaking out of hate here.) That being said, I'm all for minimal dresscodes allowing for as much personal freedom as possible, so both hijabs, sikh turbans, and any kind of fashionable or funny hats would be acceptable in my book, as long as they're small enough so that other students who sit behind aren't hindered. HOWEVER, OP simply didn't deserve anyone being mean to her about any of this, as she did not make up the school dresscode.

The separation of church and state refers to the government not choosing an official religion for our country. It means basically means all religions are accepted. Even the military makes certain religious exemptions for people when possible.