Littleton School Committee Debates Wacky Hair Day Cancellation, Backs New DEI Policy

LITTLETON — November 16, 2023 — Littleton School Committee spends an hour on Wacky Hair Day cancellation before hearing district MCAS results. Three residents — including David Gianetta, of 37 Spartan Arrow Road, who presented an 84-signature petition gathered in 11 hours — challenged Russell Street School's decision to substitute Wacky Hat Day for the 30-year spirit-week tradition, a change made within roughly 24 hours of Principal Cheryl Temple receiving a single online article arguing that wacky hair days can function as a microaggression against Black students. Superintendent Kelly Clenchy defended the intent as "advocating for minority populations that don't have a voice" while acknowledging the district could improve community communication around such decisions; the committee floated rebranding the event "Fun Hair Day" with explicit family guidance as a middle path. On MCAS, grade 10 math posted a high student growth percentile with 73 percent of students meeting or exceeding expectations, but a mid-year teacher departure left grade 7 math showing a one-percentage-point gain — only 40 percent meeting or exceeding expectations, two points above the state average. The committee voted unanimously on first readings of two sets of district policies, with a second reading scheduled for the next meeting.