Dress Codes

[Thetrufflehunter]

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.

[Kaworu, the Fifth Child]

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.

[Thetrufflehunter]

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

[Thetrufflehunter]

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]

[Kaworu, the Fifth Child]

It sounds snotty. Make it sound more approachable, and less "I know better than you".

[Agrus Kos, Enforcer of Truth]

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.

[Thetrufflehunter]

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

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".

[Thetrufflehunter]

I have just made the most anonymous email possible, only to realize I misspelt "anonymous" in every field

[Kaworu, the Fifth Child]

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.

[Thetrufflehunter]

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.

[Kaworu, the Fifth Child]

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.

[Thetrufflehunter]

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.

[Apathy Reactor]

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.

[Ekann1]

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.

[Rothsteine]

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