Thanks to everyone who responded!
My original posting is followed by the responses I received.
I am going to be participating in a meeting to discuss establishing a
new dress code for the young ladies at my high school. The fashion
trend for many students at this time is short and tight. I'm wondering
how other high schools handle this. Specifically, how does your school
determine an appropriate length for shorts and skirts? Also, how does
your school handle low cut shirts worn by females? I appreciate you
sharing these rules as well as if you find them to be effective. I can
post a HIT if other people are interested.
---
We don't have a specific number in the handbook, other than "no
spaghetti straps" but we do have the policy that if a teacher finds
something offensive or inappropriate it must be changed or covered
immediately.
Personally, I usually ask a female colleague to speak to the young lady
about her clothing. So far no teacher has been bothered by my requests,
and I usually get the appropriate response.
As a sidelight, a couple of years ago we had a rather petite girl who
was very conscious of her lack of height. That spring she wore a skirt
that she had worn in the fall without any problems, and was told that it
was too short. She was thrilled, because that meant that she had grown!
We let her finish the day with the skirt on, with a promise that she
wouldn't wear it again at school.
---
Our dress code says that if you raise your arms and can see the stomach,
then it's too short. For skirts and shorts, it's mid-thigh. The
biggest problem with upholding female dress codes and it really needs to
be addressed, is the response or lack thereof by the male principals.
They tend to feel that if they take a female to task for dress code
violations that they are putting themselves in line for a lawsuit. Most
of the male principals that I know either ignore the code for girls or
get a female staff member to say something.
---
At my school, the length of their shorts must be at least 1" below the length of
their fingertips when their arms are at their sides. For shirts, there has to be a
2 thumb-width strap on the tanks and absolutely no portion of any undergarments
showing.
---
finger tip length for shorts and skirts, three finger width for tops, stomachs
covered, no underwear showing above pants
---
To measure length, students have to put their arms at their side. The
shorts or skirt must be longer than their fingertips. Sleeveless shirts
---
Until last year we did not allow any sleeveless tops. Now we have a 3 inch rule on
the width of the "tank" top. It was much easier to enforce when no sleeves were
allowed. Shorts and skirts must be fingertip length. Problems arise with
short-armed students and long-armed students, but it seems to work ok. Students
may not show any of their midriff. And, though I don't know what the specific rule
is, cleavage issues have been addressed case by case. I believe our handbook
addresses dress code in a non-gender specific way as to not
discriminate.or dresses must be two inches wide. Pants must cover tops of underwear.
---
We are a middle school 6-8, but the problems are probably just as bad here, among
some of the seventh and eighth graders, as among the high schoolers. In the dress
code, lengths of shorts and skirts are made known, tank tops and ripped clothes
and shirts with drug or alcohol logos or with bad language are not allowed. Also,
no underwear showing.
As for the tight and short, we make judgments on those. If we deem them to be
inappropriate (several inches of stomach or back showing, pants several inches
below hips, breasts exposed, etc. the student is sent to the nurse. If the
student has a shirt or sweatshirt in the locker, she is allowed to get that. If,
later in the day, the student is again called on the clothing, because she has
shed the cover-up, she is again sent to the nurse. A second visit in one day
warrants a visit to the principal and a call home for the parent to bring in
appropriate clothing.
The nurse (or another staff member if the nurse cannot do this) is an important
piece of this program. Teachers in different parts of the building do not know if
the student has already been written up. If we did not have the student report in,
she could shed her cover-up several times during the day without anyone being the
wiser. In other words, just telling a student to get a cover-up is not enough
since she may shed it the minute she leaves your class.
Obviously, male teachers have some real concerns about calling a girl for
inappropriate clothing. (WHY was Mr. Male teacher looking at my daughter's
butt/breasts!) The men here usually ask a female teacher to talk to the girl or
they call down to the nurse when students are not around. In that case, the nurse
will call for the girl and will let her know that her clothing is inappropriate.
By the way, as a mother of a (now grown up) teenage girl, I know that students
sometimes leave the house dressed appropriately, and then shed some of the clothes
when they get to school. Sigh. Parents need to be told that - partly to give them
an out in case they DID let the kid leave the house half-dressed. No point
embarrassing the parent as long as they go with the program after the first call.
It's the ones who become indignant or think that their daughter looks perfectly
fine in an outfit that belongs on the beach, that are a real problem.
P.S. boys are also included in the dress code, but aside from a few boys who wear
ripped or dragging pants, we hardly ever call a boy on dress code violations.
---
At my daughter's high school the rule for shorts, skirts, and dresses is
that the article of clothing must be equal to or longer than the wearer's
fingertips! Quick and easy! It also takes into account those very tall young ladies!
---
_Student Safety and Appearance_
Part of the total education of the students is learning to dress
appropriately and behave responsibly in a variety of situations.
Students are expected to dress in a manner that is appropriate
to the school environment and does not cause disruption to the academic
process. Any form of dress, jewelry or hair style which is distracting
or disruptive in appearance and detrimental to the purpose, safety, or
educational process of the school will not be permitted. Research has
shown a correlation between appearance and behavior, especially in the
school setting. Questions regarding the appropriateness of clothing or
appearance would be directed to the building directors.
These regulations will assist parents, students, faculty and
administrators in determining appropriate student standards for dress
while at school or school-sponsored activities.
1. Parents and students maintain responsibility for their dress
and personal appearance.
2. When any dress or grooming (including hair, make-up and
jewelry) interferes with the cleanliness, health, welfare or safety of
students, or when any dress or grooming disrupts the educational process
by being distracting, indecent or inappropriate to the educational
process or to minors, it is prohibited.
3. All students shall wear prescribed laboratory uniforms and
other equipment designed to protect their health and safety. Head
coverings may be considered part of the lab uniform, but are not to be
worn in other areas of the building.
4. As new trends in fashion or dress are accepted or become out
of date, the District reviews the changing standards of the community
served.
5. The Director, with the assistance of the faculty, has the
responsibility of uniformly administering the dress code. The decision
of the Director is final.
Violation of the dress-code can result in removal from class
(until violation can be resolved) and/or disciplinary action.
Students shall observe general guidelines for dress and
appearance including:
No shorts or miniskirts that are above fingertip length when
arms are fully extended;
Clothing that might reasonably be considered indiscreet,
immodest, or too casual for school will not be permitted;
Students must wear shirts with sleeves. All tops must cover the
complete top of pants and/or skirt when standing, sitting or walking.
Head coverings may be considered part of the lab uniform, but
are not to be worn in other areas of the building.
Sunglasses are not to be worn in the school building except for
approved medical reasons.
Dress that promotes hate, profanity, vulgar or negative
messages; anything advertising or related to alcohol; tobacco and drugs,
or anything sexually explicit, is not permitted.
No transparent garments, open mesh garments or garments with
large open sides may be worn without an under liner.
Shoes must be worn and must not present a safety hazard.
No biking pants or spandex.
Lower garments are to be worn at waist level; if a belt is worn,
it must be of proper length; undergarments are not to be exposed.
No gang or cult-related items of any kind are permitted (e.g.,
colors, symbols, rolled up pants).
Students are not to wear coats in the building unless special
permission is given by the administration.
---
In our dress code, anything that distracts from the educational environment
is cause for action: shortness, tightness, low riders, cleavage, etc. In
terms of length shorts, dresses, skirts have to be below the fingertips of
the student without her pulling down on the garmet to add length. I don't
know if there is a test for tightness but the girls who wear tight clothes
usually go with short outfits and low necklines so they get caught anyway.
With any visible cleavage, the top must be buttoned or zipped up if
possible--otherwise the student is provided with a t-shirt to wear.
Anything after the first offense warrants a phone call: to dad if it is a
girl... to mom if it is a boy (biggest male problem is sagging pants).
At the end of the year, teachers' complained about the constant repeat
offenders so I think there will be a crack down next year.
---
We exhaust ourselves with this issue. I have sent students out of the
media center because of cleavage, inappropriate expressions on a tee
shirt, exposed navels. I could spend half of my time doing this even
though the dress code is spelled out in the handbook. We don't seem to
get overt
The article Why Good Schools Are Countercultural, by Patrick F. Bassett
(Education Week, 2/6/2002, p. 35) explains it as "Exhibiting Vulgarity"
versus "Insisting on Civility." I agree.
---
If we see skin, they are sent to the front office to get a T shirt to wear for the
day. They also get a demerit.
---
An interesting topic. Here in Golden, BC, (500 students, gr 8 to 12, rural,
conservative) there is no dress code, so we have the "clothes are too
small" syndrome in spades. Our principal doesn't think it is a fight we can
win -- I just don't know. Certainly my concept of modesty (I'm 54) is
vastly different that the 'community standard' among 15 to 25 year olds. We
do draw the line at 'bad words' on clothing.
---
I don't really have specifics for a dress code, but the principal of my
school asked me to talk to all the female students since I was one of the
teachers suggesting to them that they cover up a little more. (I am in a
public school with 140 students, about 25 to 30 of whom are females.) One of
the best things I did was pull my shirt up an inch and pull my pants lower
so my belly button became visible. The girls started to make faces, to
which I said, "Exactly! I don't like looking at yours either!"
My suggestions were the following: no belly buttons, no cleavage, no
spaghetti straps, (although sleeveless is ok), no backs, and shorts and
skirts should be midway down the thigh--but don't count midway from the
waist. Instead, go from hip joint to knee. If you think it might offend
anyone, don't wear it.
---
Have a look at the Dress Codes links at
http://www.shambles.net/pages/staff/dresscode/
This is in fact one section of a larger page at
http://www.shambles.net/headteacher/
We will be putting this in writing next year.
--
http://www.lakeshoreschools.k12.mi.us/high/media/homepg.htm
acameron@remc11.k12.mi.us
Alma Cameron
HS Library Media Specialist
Stevensville, MI 49127
(W) Phone: 616-428-1405
(F) 616-428-1570
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