By Associated Press, 04/29/02

NORFOLK, Va. -- The American Civil Liberties Union has gotten involved in the case of a middle-school student who was suspended from school for having blue hair.

Jesse Doyle, a sixth-grader at Norview Middle School, has been told that he cannot return to class until has hair has been "returned to its original color," according to his mother, Kim McConnell.

McConnell said she was especially surprised by the school's action because she has an older son in the Norfolk school system who "has been coloring his hair for two years, and has never had a problem."

Ironically, she said she let Jesse dye his hair "as a reward for getting good grades."

Rebecca K. Glenberg, legal director for the Virginia ACLU, faxed a letter Friday to Norview principal Vivian Hester. The letter explained the ACLU's contention that Doyle's suspension "violates both school policy and the U.S. Constitution," the ACLU said.

The school contends brightly colored hair can be disruptive.

ACLU Virginia executive director Kent Willis said the issue is about more than "one kid's little desire to have blue hair. Ultimately, it's about the right to express yourself."