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Vanessa VanDyke, the 12-year-old African-American girl who was told to cut or straighten her natural hair, is no longer facing explosion from her private school.

According to a new news report, Faith Christian Academy in Orlando, Fl. will no longer expel Vanessa, but they strongly encourage that she abides by the school’s styling policy.

“We’re not asking her to put product in her hair or cut her hair. We’re asking her to style her hair within the guidelines according to the school handbook,” administrator Pastor Carl Stevens told WKMG, the local Florida news station that originally broke the story.

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He added, “I am going to strongly encourage you to consider the school’s request and at least shape or have her hair cut. That I believe would resolve the issue.”

The “issue” he referred to was bullying. According to Vanessa’s mother Sabrina Kent, officials threatened to kick her daughter out of the school only after she complained that other students made fun of her fluffy hair.

“African American hair grows out. It doesn’t grow down,” Kent explained. “Her hair is her hair. What am I supposed to do?”

In response to the school’s policy, Kent said she will talk about hair options with her daughter during the Thanksgiving break.

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