American School Bans Ugg Shoes to curb contraband

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Pottstown - A ban on Ugg boots began this week at Pottstown Middle School in Pennsylvania in what school officials say is an effort to limit cellphone use during classroom hours.
The ban was instituted by Principal Gail Cooper who said, “we have been experiencing problems with some students wearing open-top boots and carrying items in them that are prohibited,” reports The Mercury.
The ban includes Ugg's and applies to all outdoor, open-top footwear, similar in construction to the Australian Ugg boot.
Fashion conscious students will still be allowed to wear the boots to school, but will be required to remove them once they arrive.
In a letter sent home to parents from Cooper, the Principal said, “Students may continue to wear outdoor boots to and from school to protect them from cold, snow and ice but need to change into a pair of sneakers or shoes before entering homeroom. Students may also continue to wear lace up, tight at the ankle, boots, shoes and high top sneakers."
The letter from the school Principal did not specify the type of contraband the school is seeking to curb. News reports say students are using the open-top boots as a place to conceal cellphones and other personal electronic devices, as well as food.
According to the school’s handbook, students may bring cell phones to school but they “must be turned off “ and “kept in the student’s locker between 7:55 a.m. and 2:30 p.m, reports The Mercury.
Students who are caught violating the policy face confiscation of the device, after school detention, suspension from school and risk losing their eligibility for extra-curricular activities.
The ban by the Principal has been met with mixed reaction on The Mercury Facebook wall. Some parents and students who are upset by the ban and want to continue wearing the popular boot have threatened litigation.
Gail Beasley, a parent who supported the ban said, "the rude and ignorant children got what they deserved. Those kids ought to be glad that's all she's banning."

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