An online group wants Lakewood High School to end the school district’s ban on hooded sweatshirts, or “hoodies,” but the district has no plans to look into the issue. 

More than 500 individuals have already signed an online petition to lift the ban. A letter accompanying the petition said that winter jackets are allowed in the dress code, but that hooded sweatshirts are an inexpensive alternative for many students. 

But Patch readers are torn. As of Wednesday evening, 43 Patch readers have taken the poll—22 wanted the ban lifted while 21 wanted it to remain as of 11:15 p.m. 

The district’s assistant superintendent told Patch last week that the dress code ban on hooded sweatshirts was a safety and a discipline issue—misbehaving students could hide their identity by pulling up the hood, and students could hide things in the sweatshirts. The ban was implemented after a 2004 study.

What do you think about the “hoodie” ban? You can still take the poll and add your comments below.