Some high schools around the state have been debating how to handle the color of caps and gowns to be worn by the Class of 2014 in light of newish State legislation, recommendations by the Massachusetts education department as well as the concerns of some students regarding gender identity.
Medway High traditionally has had males and females wear different colors, but this year they will wear common caps and gowns. Franklin High also has traditionally divvied up males and females by gown colors, but this year students will have a choice of which color to wear.
Former Wellesley school superintendent Bella Wong, now the Lincoln-Sudbury school superintendent, issued a memo to families on Friday informing them that all grads this year will wear blue instead of the blue or white they’ve worn in recent years, based on gender. “It is our responsibility to create a safe and supportive environment for our students. Eliminating gender based caps and gown colors at this time is consistent with our core values respecting human differences and fostering cooperative and caring relationships…” Wong wrote.
As for Wellesley High, all grads will be wearing red, as usual.
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