School district gets tough on dress code violators
Categories: Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens, Education, Kid decor & style
Most public schools have dress codes and for good reason. Some may disagree, but I think tiny skirts, skimpy tops, underwear-revealing baggy pants and all those other banned garments really don't contribute anything to the learning process.
Of course, if you have rules, you must also have consequences for breaking those rules. I don't know how other schools handle students who violate the dress code, but the Gonzalez Independent School District in Texas has come up with a stricter code and a sure-fire way to discourage violations. After the first day of school, any student coming to school in violation of the dress code will be provided alternative clothing. This alternative clothing consists of a shapeless, dark blue, button-front jumpsuit that looks a lot like what you might see a mechanic wear. Or a plumber. Certainly not your average fashion-conscious teenager.
Parents are upset about the stricter dress code, mostly due to the timing. Many had already done their back-to-school shopping before the new code was implemented and now find much of what they bought is banned. Students say the code is too strict and that they would rather wear an orange jumpsuit every day than comply. Get it? Like they are prisoners of the Gonzalez Independent School District.
I think they all need to take a deep breath and listen to the wisdom of Class of '08 graduate Amy Ferguson. "I don't see why people are making such a big deal about this. We're going to have to wear uniforms for jobs. Plus they aren't being as strict as they could be,"
And then, if they still want to wear orange jumpsuits, I say let them.
Of course, if you have rules, you must also have consequences for breaking those rules. I don't know how other schools handle students who violate the dress code, but the Gonzalez Independent School District in Texas has come up with a stricter code and a sure-fire way to discourage violations. After the first day of school, any student coming to school in violation of the dress code will be provided alternative clothing. This alternative clothing consists of a shapeless, dark blue, button-front jumpsuit that looks a lot like what you might see a mechanic wear. Or a plumber. Certainly not your average fashion-conscious teenager.
Parents are upset about the stricter dress code, mostly due to the timing. Many had already done their back-to-school shopping before the new code was implemented and now find much of what they bought is banned. Students say the code is too strict and that they would rather wear an orange jumpsuit every day than comply. Get it? Like they are prisoners of the Gonzalez Independent School District.
I think they all need to take a deep breath and listen to the wisdom of Class of '08 graduate Amy Ferguson. "I don't see why people are making such a big deal about this. We're going to have to wear uniforms for jobs. Plus they aren't being as strict as they could be,"
And then, if they still want to wear orange jumpsuits, I say let them.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Cassandra Wilson 7-31-2008 @ 2:48PM
AT DONEHOO SCHOOL HERE IN GADSDEN ALA THERE WEAR UNIFORMS AND I LIKE IT .IT IS CHEAPER FOR US
ALL SCHOOLS SHOULD DO AWAY WITH DRESS CODE AND WEAR UNIFORMS PARENTS WILL SAVE A LOT OF MONEY THE DONT HAVE TO BY NAME BRAND FASHIONS FOR THERE CHILDREN
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kitty 8-01-2008 @ 8:26AM
Did you go to school? should have used they instead of the and their instead of there.
Get an education and don't worry about dress codes
eljefe3126 8-01-2008 @ 8:47AM
In my experience, school dress codes are great time-wasters. They give both students and staff an opportunity to argue endlessly about whether a student is in compliance or not, to pull students out of class for dress code violations, to make up arbitrary rules about something that isn't really covered in the written code, for the students to waste time and effort thinking up new ways to "get around" the dress code, and to enforce dress code rules unfairly and unevenly. It's a classic case of regulating something that doesn't need regulating. And it prepares students for what? Becoming a police officer, nurse, soldier, or prison inmate, where you have to wear a uniform?
It doesn't prepare a student to go to college, where there generally are no dress codes, save the whim of professors, who generally don't make a fuss unless dress is truly disruptive.
At most workplaces, there is no written dress code. Seriously. There is usually an UNWRITTEN dress code, and you violate that at the risk of your job security and advancement potential. What's the best way to prepare students for that? Let them make their own clothing choices (within reason) and deal with the consequences...approval or ridicule from their peers, comments from their teachers, and being pulled from class if their dress is TRULY disruptive (hint...wearing a t-shirt without a polo collar to a public high school is NOT disruptive).
Think uniforms are cheaper? Fine, buy uniforms for your kids and send them to school...you don't need a school district to tell you to do this. Think students spend too much money on clothes? Either don't buy them clothes that you think are too expensive, no matter how much they whine, or put them on a budget and let them buy whatever they want (within reason) so long as they stick to the budget. You're a parent...be a parent, instead of delegating the job to strangers who will never care about the welfare of your child as much as you do.
courtney 8-01-2008 @ 9:14AM
to buy a uniform at my school it costs about $15 for just a shirt rather than me going to a brand-name store and getting a shirt for $10
ninainindia 8-01-2008 @ 9:40AM
No one is forcing you to buy brand name clothes for your children.
Luna 8-01-2008 @ 10:10AM
This is actually for Kitty who wants to criticize Cassandra's grammer but doesn't correct her own. They for there in the first sentence is correct and in the last sentence instead of there it should be their but hey you want to throw stones at others for spelling and/or grammer you better make sure that yours is perfect. How does it feel to be corrected like you thought you were doing to Cassandra. Who needs an education now?
This article is about a dress code and Cassandra was commenting on it appropriately. You on the other hand felt the need to criticize her grammer which has nothing to do on the subject and you did it ineffectively. I needed to say this not to get off topic, but because I am so sick and tired of people such as yourself, Kitty using this forum to try to criticize others to make yourself feel better. This isn't therapy, this is just an article. So what if there are spelling and grammer mistakes. Are we getting a grade for perfection? Do we get a prize? If you haven't noticed yet no one is perfect and we all make mistakes. Mistakes are how we as human beings evolve and grow to be better people and help others. Not to humilate for your own personal gain, whatever that may be.
As for me, I think that having a school uniform is a great idea. I am a teacher and have worked in a school with no dress code and there is no unity in the classroom because of it. Dress codes and uniforms have a lot more to do than just appropriate clothing, it has to do with bringing children together in a classroom and in the school as a whole. Children are able to concentrate more easily and brings about class unity and community. When you are not too busy comparing yourself to others you are able to concentrate on what's important. In order to have a more structured classroom that brings about learning and cohesion one way is through a dress code/uniforms.
cecily barker 8-01-2008 @ 4:06PM
Holy cow! Remind me to not send any children to the school you attend!
missybr55 8-04-2008 @ 2:38AM
I would never go to school if i had to wear a complete uniform..i am starting a school that only has a t-shirt uniform.. that is fine with me as long as its different colored shirts but i would never go to any school i had to wear certain pants and collared shirts.
ablndmomnt 7-31-2008 @ 3:06PM
There goes over half of my older kids wardrobe! I guess if they don't like it they can send their kids to another school.
Reply
Amy 7-31-2008 @ 11:43PM
While I am sure that where ever you live you have more than one high school, I asure you that here in Gonzales we do not. We have one school for Pre-k - 1st., one for 2nd. - 4th., one for 5th. & 6th., one for 7th & 8th. and one for 9th. - 12th.
Kim 8-01-2008 @ 7:30AM
Kids going to school 40 years ago wouldn't have fit in with that dress code.
I hope they have a LOT of those jumpsuits, because every kid and teacher in the place will be wearing 'em.
VALBIL 8-01-2008 @ 8:02AM
DRESS CODES FOLLOW PEOPLE THROUGH LIFE. IF YOU TEACH YOUR KIDS TO FOLLOW THE RULES EARLY ON THEY TEND TO FOLLOW THEM BETTER THROUGH LIFE. TEACHING TO DISREGUARD THE RULES TO DRESS HOWEVER OR DO WHATEVER THEY WANT IS TEACHING THEM TO BE REBELIOUS AND DISRESPECTFUL.
ablndmomnt 8-01-2008 @ 7:22PM
Ok was actully joking a bit, forget people either don't get my sense of humor especially when its online or really don't like it! I'm sure it is tough when you have only one school, and still most of my kids clothes would be out. My son's middle school had a very strict dress code and yes he was told a number of times that he was in violation, luckily he didn't get suspended. I'm sorry if you took offense I was just shocked at the extent of this dress code, my goodness I'm sure I would have been in violation when I was in high school and that was 20 years ago!
sweetchuckd 7-31-2008 @ 7:10PM
It's amazing that a group of adults thinks this is a good idea to curb dress code problems. It's a disaster waiting to happen.
Check out the commentary about this story, and all the other crazy headlines in education at http://detentionslip.org!
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Jan Bay 7-31-2008 @ 10:06PM
I worked at a job in a hospital business office when I was in high school and we had to wear uniforms. They were navy blue pants with white tops. I thought they were terrible, but later on I realized how much money and time they saved! Uniforms are a good thing for many reasons that kids would not realize unless they were responsible for purchasing and maintaining their own wardrobe.
Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com/
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Charlene 8-04-2008 @ 7:17PM
yes, i do agree with you on one part. as i've said, uniforms do save time and money
Amy Pettus 7-31-2008 @ 11:32PM
I actually happen to live in Gonzales, Tx. It is not the dress code we have a proble with, it is how it came about. They announced the new dress code only 2 weeks ago. Under the new dress code all shirts have to have sleeves and a collar. Shorts and skirts must touch the top of the knee. No under garments can be showing, no low necklines, no pictures over 2 square inches and no writing. (except for school spirit shirts) No leggings, sweat pants, cut offs, etc.I have asked the question about what happens when the cheerleaders show up on game day in their uniforms (which are short, have no collars or sleeves and have plunging necklines) and no one could give an answer. Even our local newspaper could not get an answer from the superintendant.
I am all for school spirit, but it is not just unfair to let some wear what other cannot, it is illegal. It is called discrimination.
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harold 8-01-2008 @ 7:32AM
stop whining our men& women are in a war to keep you free,grow up! why dont you complain about boys underweas hanging out, you are babys. when grown up(if ever) you will see why.
Mike Gauthier 8-01-2008 @ 7:37AM
School uniforms are to make everyone look the same. It's main purpose surports Marxism. It will not make school a safer place, it will not make the popular kids mingle and socialize with the unpopular kids. There will always be a racial division, there will always be a line between rich and poor. Yes, they may all look alike but at the end of the day, the gang member will don his colors, the cheer leaders will group, the rich kid will get in his new car, and the rest of the people will get to ride the Big yellow bus. If they will do research, not just read in the NEA, because they will find uniforms do not correct the discipline prolems or increase test scores. They enable a few with control!!!!!!!!
Concerned Mom 8-01-2008 @ 8:12AM
Amy: I read this article and was horrified. As a mom and middle school teacher, with a master's in middle school education, I can't see how the school district can think it's okay to make kids wear these hideous jumpers. Imagine being that age and forced to wear something like that all day. It would be humiliating! If I lived in your district, I wouldn't stand for it. You could try an e-mail and letter campaign, phone calls to the superintendent, letters to the editor of the local newspaper, and so forth, but you know what? There's a way to make SURE their policy backfires. Does the school have enough uniforms for every single kid? If the entire student body showed up in "banned" clothing on the second day of school, would the school have enough plumbers' outfits to meet the demand? What an administrative nightmare for them, trying to figure out what to do with rest of the kids after the last baggy jumpsuit is gone. The front office would be so tied up with trying to deal with the situation that they wouldn't be able to get anything else done. You could get on the phone with every parent you know. Call the head of the PTO and get a phone tree or e-mail campaign going. Parents can fight back. Send your kids to school in the clothing you bought them in good faith. Send them all to school in banned clothing every single day until the policy breaks down. Remember, there's unity in numbers. Good luck.