A growing number of Hampton Bays Middle School students and staff plan on breaking the rules and getting away with it on Wednesdays in November. That’s because Wednesdays have been deemed “Hat Days” by Principal Dennis Schug and sixth-grade teacher and Kiwanis Builders Club advisor Marianne Pendlebury.

Hat Days are all about raising money for the Heavenly Hats organization, a non-profit that collects and distributes new hats to people battling hair loss from cancer, alopecia and other illnesses. The fundraising is being overseen by members of the Kiwanis-sponsored Hampton Bays Middle School Builders Club, Ms. Pendlebury reported. Proceeds from Hat Days will go toward shipping costs for Heavenly Hats.

Hampton Bays School District has a “no hats” policy normally, but those who wish to show their Heavenly Hats support will donate $1 to the organization via one of the three collection containers in the middle school and will be allowed to keep their head covering on all day on Wednesdays in November. Students and staff alike enthusiastically donned all sorts of unusual head apparel on the first Hat Day on November 9. Jester caps, cowboy hats, visors and even a “Rasta” hat with faux dreadlocks were spotted in the hallways, offices and classrooms.

“It’s normally against the rules, but this is a good cause,” Mr. Schug said on Wednesday as he put on his own black and purple Hampton Bays baseball cap.