I put this as a question: what would an appropriate dress code be for a middle school?
At my school, female students are getting pulled out of class left and right because of wearing leggings. This doesn't seem fair to me, and I have spent the last 25 minutes (of which I just accidentally deleted) typing up an email to the director with an experiment. I will add the document to this thread when it is done, but I want your opinions.
I used to have to wear a dress because my hair was so long...
On topic: girls at my school basically don't get coded unless they're wearing like nothing. It's disgusting.
Quote from: Noblellama on October 16, 2014, 07:39:46 PM
Hit them with this bad boy, that will fix things
http://m.billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/guest/why-yoga-pants-are-incredibly-dangerous-to-today-s-youth/article_be9fb59b-9bcd-596e-bbab-5d13d6d3988e.html
Thats more or less what I actually wrote, except I don't have the experience she does o_O
Hello Mrs. Lloyd,
I am a member of the NCS 7th grade, and there has been some upset around the school's dress code. Students, specifically female students, have been pulled aside at various parts of the day, because they were wearing clothing that was too formfitting. As with other members of my class, both male and female, have thought, this seems a bit sexist on both sides. For females, it feels like a male's education is more important, because "they must be removed if what they wear is distracting". For males, you are stating that we simply cannot control ourselves, and must stare at someone wearing something form-fitting. It has created a lose-lose situation.
I pose an experiment: for a pre-determined period of time, ideally a week, the female students wear what THEY think is appropriate. This not only allows them to be comfortable, but gives you, the faculty, a good idea of who thinks what is appropriate for school. The second half of the experiment is to monitor the behaviors and grades of all students for the week. If a student is found to be easily distracted by form-fitting clothing, then they would be monitored further and told to focus on the work in front of them. If what the dress code states is true, then this will give you concrete evidence and give the dress code more credibility. If, however, we see that the grades of students stays near par, and the focus level is roughly the same, then the dress code can be abolished or at least taken down from a level at which it stands currently. The students would be much happier, which in turn gives you a better reputation with them. Isn't a happy community what this school has been aiming for?
Sincerely,
[Edited for privacy]
It sounds snotty. Make it sound more approachable, and less "I know better than you".
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on October 16, 2014, 07:46:47 PM
Hello Mrs. Lloyd,
I am a member of the NCS 7th grade, and there has been some upset around the school's dress code. Students, specifically female students, have been pulled aside at various parts of the day, because they were wearing clothing that was too formfitting. As with other members of my class, both male and female, have thought, this seems a bit sexist on both sides. For females, it feels like a male's education is more important, because "they must be removed if what they wear is distracting". For males, you are stating that we simply cannot control ourselves, and must stare at someone wearing something form-fitting. It has created a lose-lose situation.
I pose an experiment: for a pre-determined period of time, ideally a week, the female students wear what THEY think is appropriate. This not only allows them to be comfortable, but gives you, the faculty, a good idea of who thinks what is appropriate for school. The second half of the experiment is to monitor the behaviors and grades of all students for the week. If a student is found to be easily distracted by form-fitting clothing, then they would be monitored further and told to focus on the work in front of them. If what the dress code states is true, then this will give you concrete evidence and give the dress code more credibility. If, however, we see that the grades of students stays near par, and the focus level is roughly the same, then the dress code can be abolished or at least taken down from a level at which it stands currently. The students would be much happier, which in turn gives you a better reputation with them. Isn't a happy community what this school has been aiming for?
Sincerely,
[Edited for privacy]
As horrible as it is to say this, I think part of the dress code thing is also to protect students from teachers. We don't need 55-year-old men staring down 12-year-old women's shirts. That being said, I would also send the letter anonymously, simply so there is no fallout on you. Lastly, maybe give a few examples of ridiculous cases and how they could have been handled better. Good luck in any case.
Quote from: Agrus Kos, Enforcer of Truth on October 16, 2014, 07:52:22 PM
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on October 16, 2014, 07:46:47 PM
Hello Mrs. Lloyd,
I am a member of the NCS 7th grade, and there has been some upset around the school's dress code. Students, specifically female students, have been pulled aside at various parts of the day, because they were wearing clothing that was too formfitting. As with other members of my class, both male and female, have thought, this seems a bit sexist on both sides. For females, it feels like a male's education is more important, because "they must be removed if what they wear is distracting". For males, you are stating that we simply cannot control ourselves, and must stare at someone wearing something form-fitting. It has created a lose-lose situation.
I pose an experiment: for a pre-determined period of time, ideally a week, the female students wear what THEY think is appropriate. This not only allows them to be comfortable, but gives you, the faculty, a good idea of who thinks what is appropriate for school. The second half of the experiment is to monitor the behaviors and grades of all students for the week. If a student is found to be easily distracted by form-fitting clothing, then they would be monitored further and told to focus on the work in front of them. If what the dress code states is true, then this will give you concrete evidence and give the dress code more credibility. If, however, we see that the grades of students stays near par, and the focus level is roughly the same, then the dress code can be abolished or at least taken down from a level at which it stands currently. The students would be much happier, which in turn gives you a better reputation with them. Isn't a happy community what this school has been aiming for?
Sincerely,
[Edited for privacy]
As horrible as it is to say this, I think part of the dress code thing is also to protect students from teachers. We don't need 55-year-old men staring down 12-year-old women's shirts. That being said, I would also send the letter anonymously, simply so there is no fallout on you. Lastly, maybe give a few examples of ridiculous cases and how they could have been handled better. Good luck in any case.
My school literally has two male teachers, and I can personally guarantee that won't be an issue. My entire school is 240 kids :P
As to the "snottiness", I am coming from the point of being extra-regal, as I'd rather come across like that than "ermegerd ms teacher person, i needz to see more buttz".
I have just made the most anonymous email possible, only to realize I misspelt "anonymous" in every field :P
Oh, no no no. The regal approach is fine in personal speeches. But if you email someone, it makes it look like you don't care as much as is you would contact them in person. So, you need to be courteous and more open.
Quote from: Mishra, Artificer Extraordinaire on October 16, 2014, 08:03:16 PM
Oh, no no no. The regal approach is fine in personal speeches. But if you email someone, it makes it look like you don't care as much as is you would contact them in person. So, you need to be courteous and more open.
Suggestions as how I would go about that? Approaching my principal and breaking out into a monologue seems like it would lead to a bad day, so I'm sticking with the email format.
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on October 16, 2014, 08:05:04 PM
Quote from: Mishra, Artificer Extraordinaire on October 16, 2014, 08:03:16 PM
Oh, no no no. The regal approach is fine in personal speeches. But if you email someone, it makes it look like you don't care as much as is you would contact them in person. So, you need to be courteous and more open.
Suggestions as how I would go about that? Approaching my principal and breaking out into a monologue seems like it would lead to a bad day, so I'm sticking with the email format.
My solution? Make an appointment with the dean of students during a study hall or after school. Really lets them know you care. And in your words, just change it around a little. Your words are almost condescending seeming. I know they're not but I don't think the person will. Make it more like you want to know what they think, instead of the "here's what should happen" approach.
Quote from: Mishra, Artificer Extraordinaire on October 16, 2014, 08:08:18 PM
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on October 16, 2014, 08:05:04 PM
Quote from: Mishra, Artificer Extraordinaire on October 16, 2014, 08:03:16 PM
Oh, no no no. The regal approach is fine in personal speeches. But if you email someone, it makes it look like you don't care as much as is you would contact them in person. So, you need to be courteous and more open.
Suggestions as how I would go about that? Approaching my principal and breaking out into a monologue seems like it would lead to a bad day, so I'm sticking with the email format.
My solution? Make an appointment with the dean of students during a study hall or after school. Really lets them know you care. And in your words, just change it around a little. Your words are almost condescending seeming. I know they're not but I don't think the person will. Make it more like you want to know what they think, instead of the "here's what should happen" approach.
If I might say, our school A) doesnt have a study hall, and B) doesn't have a dean of students. We have a director (principal), vice director (actually probably a better person to write to, as I know him much better), and the teaching staff of a whopping 10 plus PE, spanish, math, music, and handwork.
Hmm, well our school has a strict dress code. I actually like the dress code, so long as allowed outfits are comfortable. Leggings can be worn but not by themselves; they have to be worn under a skirt or shorts. Personally I think it's a good compromise, as form fitting clothing can (and will) be distracting. Some things are just inappropriate for an educational environment, y'know? It's not like they are being expelled for wearing a Pepsi shirt.
My school doesn't allow leggings either, though they're not as strict about it. What does annoy me is the rule that clothing is not supposed to have words on it at all, and the fact that all athletic-type clothing (such as gym shorts, even long ones that are more for looks then actual excerise) are banned. When I asked about the words thing I got some weird response about how it's difficult to write a rule to fairly distinguish between rock climbing shirts and offensive shirts about devil worship.... Oh well.
At my school, wich I am in 8th grade, (this is a private school) so it might change some things, but girls are allowed to where what ever within reason, and I do Amit sometimes guys do stare, but it has not been a huge problem at our school
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on October 16, 2014, 08:11:15 PM
Quote from: Mishra, Artificer Extraordinaire on October 16, 2014, 08:08:18 PM
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on October 16, 2014, 08:05:04 PM
Quote from: Mishra, Artificer Extraordinaire on October 16, 2014, 08:03:16 PM
Oh, no no no. The regal approach is fine in personal speeches. But if you email someone, it makes it look like you don't care as much as is you would contact them in person. So, you need to be courteous and more open.
Suggestions as how I would go about that? Approaching my principal and breaking out into a monologue seems like it would lead to a bad day, so I'm sticking with the email format.
My solution? Make an appointment with the dean of students during a study hall or after school. Really lets them know you care. And in your words, just change it around a little. Your words are almost condescending seeming. I know they're not but I don't think the person will. Make it more like you want to know what they think, instead of the "here's what should happen" approach.
If I might say, our school A) doesnt have a study hall, and B) doesn't have a dean of students. We have a director (principal), vice director (actually probably a better person to write to, as I know him much better), and the teaching staff of a whopping 10 plus PE, spanish, math, music, and handwork.
Then talk to the VP, if he's inclined towards you. Make sure you're friendly- after school would work best.
Quote from: Mishra, Artificer Extraordinaire on October 16, 2014, 11:25:18 PM
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on October 16, 2014, 08:11:15 PM
Quote from: Mishra, Artificer Extraordinaire on October 16, 2014, 08:08:18 PM
Quote from: Thetrufflehunter on October 16, 2014, 08:05:04 PM
Quote from: Mishra, Artificer Extraordinaire on October 16, 2014, 08:03:16 PM
Oh, no no no. The regal approach is fine in personal speeches. But if you email someone, it makes it look like you don't care as much as is you would contact them in person. So, you need to be courteous and more open.
Suggestions as how I would go about that? Approaching my principal and breaking out into a monologue seems like it would lead to a bad day, so I'm sticking with the email format.
My solution? Make an appointment with the dean of students during a study hall or after school. Really lets them know you care. And in your words, just change it around a little. Your words are almost condescending seeming. I know they're not but I don't think the person will. Make it more like you want to know what they think, instead of the "here's what should happen" approach.
If I might say, our school A) doesnt have a study hall, and B) doesn't have a dean of students. We have a director (principal), vice director (actually probably a better person to write to, as I know him much better), and the teaching staff of a whopping 10 plus PE, spanish, math, music, and handwork.
Then talk to the VP, if he's inclined towards you. Make sure you're friendly- after school would work best.
i agree, and id also present the VP with {{noblellama}}'s article because i thought it articulated the point very well. but also try to understand the faculties POV and why they have enacted this program. i understand you dont want to sound like a creep who just wants to see more skin, but it is definitely possible to walk the middle path. you can have a mature positive conversation about this while still being human and understanding people naturally have these kinds of feelings for other hormonal teenagers their age. id push the womens rights issue as i think thats the best argument. i do agree with this article that these kinds of dress codes can promote the kind of thinking that if a women dresses "provocatively" or "freely" they are "asking for it" meaning asking for sexual abuse. i will quote the great chef Madison Cowan "A woman could walk down the street stark naked, and no one would have any right to lay a hand on her."
You want to do this:
Email him your typed note and at the start (or end depends on preference) ask if you may speak to them next day/week. That way they can prepare too it's common courtesy :)
Quote from: Mattao19 on October 17, 2014, 04:53:30 AM
You want to do this:
Email him your typed note and at the start (or end depends on preference) ask if you may speak to them next day/week. That way they can prepare too it's common courtesy :)
This seems like a good idea.
Thanks for all of your guys help!
I think I will organize a meeting with the vp, and send him the email that day.
There is a revision of dress code that will be announced soon. I'll hold off on this until I know what that is. Thanks again for the help!
Update: I heard my mom (in the school board) talking to the principal. They are making the change of "wear leggings as if they were tights" and possibly allowing "bell bottom leggings". I'm going to send my message to my mom, along with the link. We will see where she takes it.
Good luck.