Dr. Philip Zimbardo: Why Most Men Are Complete Losers
School district gets tough on dress code violators
Filed under: Tweens, Teens, Day Care & Education, Decor
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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ReaderComments (Page 5 of 7)
8-01-2008 @ 9:08AM
Mal said...There is a huge difference between a dress code and a uniform. I've had kids in school for 20 years and never once have I seen a girl dressed like a hooker. The kids in our school wore clean jeans and t-shirts and were happy in their school. Now they have grown men hovering over young honor-roll students eyeing every inch of their clothing. It scares my daughter and her friends, and they do it to them during lunch so their meal is stressful. Take your uniforms and grow up yourselves and quit trying to control everyone. If you love the controlled atmosphere so much, go to a private school, maybe a nice military school. We won't miss you at all.
Reply
8-01-2008 @ 9:00AM
phyllis said...I taught middle school for 35 years, and believe me, there are far more important things to do with the Gonzalez school district's money. They should be more concerned with Bush's failed no child's behind getting left than what they heck they are wearing.
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8-01-2008 @ 9:01AM
Sue said...When I worked in Juvenile Corrections. Any boy wearing the baggy pants with underwear exposed got to wear huge red suspenders for a week, sencond offense 1 month, (never any 3rd offenders of the rule) everywhere he went. Since we were a minimum to medium security facility that ment he wore them to school, to the Dr's, around the center and on visitors day.
I only had to ask a boy to pull up his shorts once to get immediate response.
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8-01-2008 @ 9:06AM
tkd313rd said...You have to be kidding did anyone besides me truly read this list? Talk about killing your freedoms! Yes kids need boundaries but come on what are they going to wear and since when if my son wanted to mustache does a school have a right to tell him no. Same things with ear rings my son can have one if he want it is not distracting. This list is ridiculous. I hope someone violates and then sues the school board for coming up with such a ridiculous list.
When we were in school my principle decided that a certain t-shirt was inappropriate and we had a walk out to protest. I hope these kids to the same!!!!
Even the military can't get away with crap like this and they basically own you!
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8-01-2008 @ 9:05AM
bama said...Now that we have dress codes to worry about, maybe we can stop worrying about the ACT tests. Naaaa... They need to get back to basics and teach the 3 rs, history, language, and most of all (which is the first to go in money shortage) music/arts. No wonder so many students drop out...give up!! Make school interesting and they will learn.
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8-01-2008 @ 9:11AM
phyllis said...You are very wise, bama! Testing should only be used as a diagnostic tool, not a punishment for teachers and school districts. Let's get back to real education, and the dress issue will take care of itself.
8-01-2008 @ 9:09AM
Loretta said...I went to Catholic schools and had to wear a uniform. Then I went to public high school, and I was appalled at what students wore to school, and this was many years ago. I am shocked at what students wear to school today, and I cannot believe that parents allow their children to go to school attired the way they are. I think the parents need to have their heads examined too. I think uniforms are great, because there's no fashion competition amongst the students, and the children can concentrate on their studies instead of skimpy attire exposing lots of cleavage, cracks in butts, and other things when girls wear extremely short skirts and bend over. I also am not saying they need to be covered up like nuns, but appropriate school dress should be implemented.
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8-01-2008 @ 9:07AM
T said...You have to be kidding did anyone besides me truly read this list?
Talk about killing your freedoms! Yes kids need boundaries but come
on what are they going to wear and since when if my son wanted to
mustache does a school have a right to tell him no. Same things with
ear rings my son can have one if he want it is not distracting. This
list is ridiculous. I hope someone violates and then sues the school
board for coming up with such a ridiculous list.
When we were in school my principle decided that a certain t-shirt
was inappropriate and we had a walk out to protest. I hope these kids
to the same!!!!
Even the military can't get away with crap like this and they
basically own you!
Reply
8-01-2008 @ 9:33AM
tray said...RIGHTS and RESPECT.
I am so tired that some people cannot see the reasoning with this. It is a little mix of manners and respect, that this generation has lost. Being appropriate. Not intentially disrespectful to others. There was a time people stood up for the elderly on the bus to give thier seat...there was atime, not too long ago mini skirts and sleeveless tops wear not worn to church.( and other religious institutions) and I must say religions other than Christian do not allow inappropriate dress...this is to respect the God and member of the institution.
Most people wear black to a funeral, is it law? No. Is it tradition, and respect and being appropriate? yes.
Same for weddings, no, no one will arrest you if you where white. If you MUST assert your rights...fine, wear white on someone elses wedding day.
Does anyone think it is ok to wear a swim suit to church? To school? To YOUR place of work? Why NOT?
Being appropriate, and respectful. What is wrong with that?
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8-01-2008 @ 9:17AM
Debbie said...All the tough kids will end up wearing the jumpsuits and then it will be a fashion statement that you are a rebel and "cool" if you have on the jumpsuit and then kids will start asking Mom and Dad to buy them jumpsuits just so they look cool.
moral...it won't work
sorry about the run-on sentence
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8-01-2008 @ 9:11AM
Erica said...When our district switched to uniforms a few years ago, there was resistance by a small group of parents who tried to sue the district but lost in court. The uniforms look nicer and take the focus off of who has the latest styles and who doesn't. Our district has a variety of 3 types of uniform shirts that students can wear as long as it has the district logo on it including a tee shirt for Phys Ed. Parents are able to purchase khaki pants and or sweat pants for phys. ed at the store of their choosing.
In every place of business, people must conform to some type of dress code, whether its a total uniform or certain type of clothing. Uniforms do not bring students grades up, but it does teach students ( and some parents) that there are rules that must be followed.
Being a parent of an 11 year old girl, the uniforms are a life saver in terms of choosing an outfit every day. Gone are the fights about clothes, what looks good, what doesn't, at 7 a.m. And yes, uniforms are less expensive for me.
The most important thing to understand is that the uniform policy must be enforced from day one---otherwise, why have a policy at all?? Students and parents need to know there are consequences for not following the policy.
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8-01-2008 @ 9:11AM
jan said...i think that school uniforms are a good idea. They put students on the same level, but in this school system, they should have changed everything. If they change codes for one group they should change for all groups(cheerleaders). However, parents should not get mad because their kids wardrobe can not be worn at school no more. If it goes against school dress codes, parents should have left it on the rack at the store. The school should have given more time to impliment these new rules and not do it just before school starts. They could have waited one more school year before these rules applied and reminding parents throughout the year of impending changes.
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8-01-2008 @ 9:14AM
courtney said...at my middle school for about the first month the whole staff is watching every kid basically to see if they have a uniform on but after that they dont care-so to make sure we wouldnt get in trouble most kids got a waver which allows them to wear anything as long as its appropriate
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8-01-2008 @ 9:17AM
Debbie said...BTW what are they showing in the photo?
chess pawns? bowling balls or Weebles?
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8-01-2008 @ 9:13AM
Dwight said...If parents would use good judgement in the first place all of this would not be necessary. I support individual freedom but when people abuse that by exercising bad judgement then someone has to impose rules that infringe on that freedom. You are free to drive your car on public highways, but you have to obey the rules. If not you get a ticket. Some of the students dress is totally inappropriate and the parents are to blame. They probably do not believe in any sort of discipline which only hurts the individual in the future.
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8-01-2008 @ 9:17AM
Debbie said...Sorry bowling pins
Ok I'll shut-up now
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8-01-2008 @ 9:14AM
Ray Packert said...As a former HS Principal, I agree wholeheartedly with the Policy. I just think the timing was wrong. I think a moratorium should be declared until Xmas, when kids and parents start picking out Spring wear.
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8-01-2008 @ 9:14AM
NTxsCherokee said...If ayone is sniveling because they already bought their kids school clothes which are now tabu, it doesn't say much about what they would send their kids to school in. I wouldn't want my grand daughters out in public dressed like a lot of girls are. Thank God my son & daughter-in-law have some values.
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8-01-2008 @ 9:41AM
ninainindia said...That wasmy first thought too but after reading the whole code I do understand them. The children are not even allowed to wear T-shirts, normal T-shirts!
8-01-2008 @ 9:19AM
Norma said...THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEM IS: Those who are in authority who are afraid to punish or expel students who on a regular basis, thumb their noses at authority.
In my children's school, there is a dress code of slacks or shorts and polo type shirts. The shorts are supposed to be long enough to reach within 4 inches of the knees. The students were told that there would be no exceptions to that rule. All the students were able to purchase the regulation shorts, without any problem. However, by the third week in the school year, some of the students had shortened their shorts to the point where their underwear (if they bothered to wear any) would show. They also had shortened their polo shirts, and taken them in on the sides so they were skin tight. NOW, HERE IS THE PROBLEM: Not one thing was done to those students for fear of reprisals from their community. The parents of those students surely had to see what their children were wearing when they left the house....right? Therefore, the parents were aiding their children in the act of defiance.
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