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 Zack Beavers, a student at Cleveland High School, was dressed according to that school's SSA policies last spring when a Bedford County delegation made a site visit. Beavers is wearing solid-colored pants, not jeans, and a solid-colored, collared shirt, tucked in. (T-G file photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] |
The policy would take effect for the 2008-2009 school year.
The draft SSA policy which the school board agreed Thursday night to use as its starting point is based closely on the policy Metro Nashville Public Schools began using this year. It will be presented to the public between now and February at forums like PTO and civic club meetings. The school board will hold its own November, December and January meetings at various area schools in order to encourage interested parents to attend.
The issue is sure to attract debate. Proponents of SSA say it's good for security and leads to a calmer, more productive school atmosphere, not to mention preparing students for work environments where professional dress is expected. Opponents say the benefits are anecdotal and that the rules limit students' free expression.
Opponents say parents would be unfairly forced to buy new clothing for their children, while proponents say clothing that meets SSA requirements can be found inexpensively and may actually save money compared to the clothes teens wear to impress each other.
All of those arguments, on both sides, are likely to be heard as the policy is discussed in the coming months.
Here are highlights of the proposed SSA policy, which is still a draft and may be revised based on public input between now and February:
• It would apply to all ages of students. The policy would not specifically apply to teachers or other school employees, although teachers would be encouraged to dress professionally in order to set an example for student compliance.
• Students would have to wear navy blue, black or khaki-colored pants, shorts, capri pants, skirts, skorts or jumpers. No blue jeans would be allowed.
• Students would have to wear solid-colored shirts with collars â€" which could include polo, button-down or turtleneck styles. White or navy blue shirts would be allowed anywhere in the school system, but each school would be able to designate additional colors, which would normally include that school's official school colors. The only variable which has been left blank in the draft policy is how many additional colors each school would be allowed. Nashville allows four additional colors per school.
• Students would have to wear clothing "of appropriate size,� meaning no more than one size smaller or larger than the student's actual clothing size. Pants or skirts must fit at the waist and not sag.
• Shirts must be tucked in to pants or skirts.
• No logos or trademarks larger than two inches square will be allowed on clothing. School logos or mascots are permitted.
• Belts would be required if the pants or skirt feature belt loops. Pants or skirts with elastic waistbands and no belt loops could be worn at the waist without a belt.
• The only outerwear which could be worn to class would be blazers, suit jackets, vests, sweaters or cardigans. They would have the same color restrictions that apply to shirts or blouses and would have to be worn over an approved shirt.
• Each school would be allowed up to 10 days a year to waive all or part of the dress code for special events, such as school spirit week or homecoming. In addition, principals could authorize occasional variations for special groups of students, such as allowing athletes to wear jerseys over their shirts on game day or allowing clubs to wear club-related or school-related T-shirts over their approved SSA shirt.
• Jeans, torn or see-through clothing would be prohibited.
• The school system would coordinate with schools, businesses, religious and community organizations to collect donated SSA-compliant clothing. This clothing could be given to needy families and / or kept at schools to be loaned out in case of SSA violations.
• Families could request exceptions to SSA rules for religious, medical or disability reasons.
On their first offense, students who violate SSA would be allowed to correct the situation and return to class. Correction could include changing into clothes loaned by the school as noted above.
On the second offense, students who violate SSA would be subject to a day of in-school suspension.
On the third offense, students would have a day of in-school suspension plus an overnight or provisional suspension, although the overnight / provisional suspension could be waived if parents agree to a meet with a school administrator to discuss the problem.
Repeated offenses beyond three would be treated as disruptive behavior and defiance of school authority and treated under the existing disciplinary rules.
School Superintendent Ed Gray said that Nashville's policy has relatively few published exceptions but allows school administrators to take a common-sense approach to specific situations, such as an obese student who has difficulty keeping his shirt tucked in. He compared that to Wilson County's policy, which he said lists page after page of exceptions.
School board members will seek to discuss the policy in forums like civic club meetings and to solicit input from their constituents.
The school board members are Dixie Parker, District 1; Ron Adcock, District 2; Amy Martin, District 3; Diane Neeley, District 4; Barry Cooper, chairman, District 5; Mary Jo Johnson, District 6; Jerry Naron, District 7; Leonard Singleton, District 8; and Glen Forsee, District 9. The school system central offices can be reached at 684-3284 for more information.
HUH? You can go to Goodwill or the Dollar store now and buy school clothes also. The ones wearing Dollar Store and Goodwill clothes will be the same ones wearing those clothes..while the ones wearing clothes from Buckle or American Eagle will still be wearing those... Please do tell me the difference it will make? Except the clothes they have NOW will not be allowed any longer meaning EVERYBODY will have to go buy new clothes. Regardless of where they go to buy them. Kids know the difference in a 100 dollar pair of Lucky jeans in compared to 20 dollar Walmart jeans even though they are still just jeans. They will also know the difference in Lucky Brand khakis and Walmart's Khakis.
I feel that a dress code would be a wonderful idea. The way some of these kids dress now days makes me wonder if they are going to school or a party! I have seen girls with more skin showing than covered, boys with there pants down so far the world can see there underwear. I know that while in class they will put on s jacket to help cover themselves or pull there shirt down to hide their boxers. To me this is extremely inappropriate. I know that some parents may say they are just expressing their individuality, but I think it is distasteful. I would never allow my children to step out the front door looking the way some kids do. And as far as is possibly costing more for clothes? I don't think so, you can go to the Dollar Stores or Good Will and find most of the items mentioned. Most parents spend unbelievable amounts on school clothes every year, this will simplify things. I do Agree that the teachers should also have to follow the same policy.
I for one know that no one thing cannot end any public problem.
The school dress code that is currently in place in our county is more than sufficient if it is properly enforced by our school administrators,teachers,support staff and parents and if this group cannot enforce the current dress code then as a prudent individual I find it unreasonable to believe that they could enforce a more strict one. But as a resident of this county I want my school board members to know that I do read the Times Gazette,I am active in my school and I do vote.
Just Say No to a dress code
Yes I agree with so many of you all about enforcing the dress code that is already in place. I agree if this was enforced like it should have been then this SSA thing would not be happening. If I wanted or could afford to send my child to a private school then that is what I would do.
If this SSA passes then it should be for EVERYONE! (EVERYONE AS IN STUDENTS, TEACHERS, CAFETERIA PERSONNEL, SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS, BOARD MEMBERS, ANYONE WHOM IS EMPLOYED BY BOARD OF EDUCATION! Let's not just single out the students here. There are plenty of the above mentioned people who are not dressed appropriately.
I feel that there are many other problems in the schools that needs to be addressed far more than the dress code. Changing a dress code is not going to stop drugs, alcohol, firearms or knives being brought to school, or stop fights etc. People whom are determined to do such things will still find a way to do them.
I personally don't like my shirt tucked in, I am not comfortable with my shirt being tucked in nor do I wear a belt. I find it really hard to make my child do something that I don't like to do or makes me uncomfortable. I understand the big city schools having to go to SSA but we are just a small town, and that I am postive that each principal could just enforce the dress code that is already in place. So many parents, students and teachers do not agree with the SSA.
It is really hard to send Elementary children to school in "dress clothes" for them to ruin! It is going to cost Elementary parents more money to replace these clothes than it would Jr. High and High school. Elementary children have recess time and my child comes home absolutely filthy from the playground, not to mention lunch time accidents that elementary students have.
I really think the Board members are going a little over board with this! Pants have to be hemmed, no outerwear, no denim? That is ridiculous!!! So short people you are being picked on here and if your parents dont have the money to have your pants hemmed, your in trouble, or if your parents dont know how to do it theirselves, oh well, your in trouble! I am waiting on "if the clothes are not IRONED", what trouble are you going to be in for that? I agree that some kids wear inappropriate clothing, I question the parents as to how these clothes get bought for these kids? Some question how the kids get out of the house dressed like they do simple, some parents have to be at work before their children leave for school so the children can dress however the want to.
Board members, it is easy to vote on something that you don't have to abide by, or if you dont have any children or grandchildren in the school system, but I am begging you to please listen to the children that are old enough to voice their opinions, please listen to the parents. I am really trying to keep an open mind but when I read some of the rules and regulations I just don't believe this is the answer for our school system! Let's focus on what school is suppose to be about, TEACHING AND EDUCATION not THE CLOTHES YOU ARE TO WEAR OR NOT WEAR. I am afraid that we will be focusing more on clothes if this is passed than educating our students.
The solution to any perceived problems, as I said before, is ENFORCE THE PRESENT CODE. An alternative---which would prevent riots and other Civil Disobedience---is to allow parent opt-out as in all of Calif., Wisc., NYC, Miami Beach and other districts that have unis. It may sound odd to mix uni and non-uni kids in the same school---but it DOES WORK; the district with the longest U.S. record of "mandatory unis" is Long Beach, Calif---where 2 pct overall (more in SOME schools) DO opt-out without any major problems.
Group-punishment is NOT the American way, If the "foolish"" board goes to unis---OK---but allow parent opt-out as strange as that may seem on the surface. Of course, opted-out kids must wear APPROPRIATE dress-code clothes ---like the traditional school wear 90 pct of U.S. kids wear---jeans and non-vulgar tee shirts. There is just NO BASIS for banning these kinds of clothes EVEN if you accept ALL the pro-uni statements posted herein.
As a student currently enrolled in the Bedford County School system I have difficulty understanding why the school system has decided to go to standardized dress (school uniforms). I am fully aware of what goes on at the school and can understand the school boards concern for studentsâ*¿½*¿½ attire. The Board has thoroughly researched standardized dress, but they obviously have not researched whether or not the current dress code is being enforced.
While attending Central, I have become aware of the fact that certain ethnic groups get away with wearing certain pieces of clothing that others would not be permitted to wear. The fact of the matter is, if the current dress code was enforced some time ago, there would not be a problem with students dressing inappropriately. Students, no matter what age group, learn from their mistakes. If the school had previously enforced the dress code and punished students when wearing inappropriate clothing, they would learn to not wear those things. That in itself would have prevented the school board from having to compose a standard dress code for the school system.
I realize that the Board feels as if the new dress will allow parents to save money, but the reality of it is that for those parents who have one or more children in school, it will cost them more to buy collared shirts and khaki pants. If it is passed that students are required to have a stricter dress code, so should the teachers. The teachers may not be dressing in appropriately, but they are dressing unprofessionally. The Board should take into consideration that the teachers are role models to students and if they are not required to dress professionally, then why should students be required to have a standardized dress.
As a teacher, I am all for a dress code, me included. I do think that teachers should follow a dress code that is in effect. As far as students not being able to express themselves, I say it's a sad day when your clothing is the only way you are able to show who you are. Dress codes do not entirely level the playing field. Of course you can tell the subtle differences between $20 and $100 pants. But, it is not as noticable as other types of clothes. As far as the dress code goes now, yes, there are many students who should not get through the day dressed as they are, but how did they get out of the house dressed like that in the first place?
Sorry pooch but amori_da_viaggiare is correct. Kids will still know the difference between expensive dress clothes and cheap dress clothes. Kids will still be getting teased because of what they are wearing. I think that the clothing required to follow the SSA policy will lead to more expensive clothes being worn by those that can afford it. Children have their entire adult life to wear a uniform if their career requires it.
And to just-a-mom, clothes are a statement. Just because you don't enjoy fashion or you prefer to wear $20 shoes, doesn't make someone who enjoys fashion and wears $100 shoes a bad person. They just see things differently than you do.
I think the dress code is a great idea. I have two sons that attend school in Shelbyville and they tell me all the time how children are cruel to other children when it comes to the type of clothing they are wearing. The focus should be the education our children are getting and the dress code would eliminate the clothing distraction. Way to go School Board Members!!!
VikingSupporter I think you are absolutely right! Enforce the rules we already have! I've seen students coming out of SCHS in the afternoons and the rule violations are quite apparent. Why and how did these kids make it through the day without being sent home to change?
Also, some people seem to think that SSA will "level the playing field" for parents who don't have the money to buy expensive clothes. SSA will not solve the "who has the best clothes" competition at school! For example: a pair of Lucky Khakis (priced at about $100), American Eagle polo (between $25-35), a cute pair of Kenzie ballerina flats ($70.00) are just as acceptable in the SSA policy as the stuff you buy at Wal-mart. If any of you think the kids won't know the difference between the cheap stuff and name brand clothing you are only fooling yourself.
I found some research on SSA that has some pretty good points. It is pretty long and you have to have Adobe Acrobat to read it, but its worth scanning over if you are interested in the effects of SSA in different school systems.
http://schoenml.org/mpass/charles.pdf
I would like to know when there is going to be a parent meeting to discuss SSA -- or does the Board of Education care what parents think (because it seems like its already a done deal)?
It sounds right now like they're very pre-disposed to some form of SSA, but they can always change their mind if they hear from enough constituents. And they say the draft they voted on last week is just a staring point and that they're very open to tweaking it.
As I just posted over at my blog, we're going to be publishing the complete proposed draft policy in the T-G within the next week or so, as soon as we have space. (It's pretty long.)
As other posters have pointed out, ALL that needs to be done is to ENFORCE the present code. There is nothing wrong with the proposed clothes---but ALSO nothing wrong with school kids wearing denim jeans and tee shirts; we did so 50 years ago in Phoenix in the conservative Eisenhower era. And contra the NONSENSE from many posters, MOST kids do NOT spend big bucks on fancy clothes trying to put on a fashion show at school now. That is largely an URBAN MYTH. As for the kids that DO bully or tease peers over their clothing, that can and should be barred under an ANTI-BULLYING CODE---there is no need for SSA or unis to stop THAT. ALL kids should wear APPROPRIATE clothes to school---but there is no reason to bar diverse styles & colors---NONE___ZERO; note that some of the recent school shooters have been wearing uniforms too!
Studies by Dr. Brunsma---the national expert on school unis---shows NO improvement in academics, discipline or attendance by mandating uniform clothing. GIVE IT UP, you foolish board members!!
I dont really think we should have to wear uniforms.Yes we may have some of the same clothes but we dont wanna look alike everyday because it will get old.Yes im against guys saggin but do you ever think maybe thats what they want to wear or maybe they jus like dressin different also.No they shouldnt sag but they do yes they should be made to wear a belt or somethin and be made pull them up while in school.About the girls no they shouldnt wear their skirts so when they bend over you can see everything but they should be able to wear skirts but they need to have a limit on how far they should come down to and its the girls parents fault for lettin her daughter out the door like that.It's like would any adults wannna dress alike yes I know they have to in work places but hey let us be kids and dress the way we want while were in school because the way we dress expresses who we are most times so why not let us have our freedom for now???....MAINLY I DONT THINK WE SHOULD HAVE UNIFORMS ...its not right to make us dress like everyone I mean we are teenagers let us dress like it also I mean if there going to put uniforms in why not make us a private school because ONLY private schools wear uniforms!
Wake up parents!! You think this will take away their individuality? Get real! These kids shop at the same store, wear the same types of clothes, and all a higher price. They already look like each other. The only people winning here are the clothing people with their overpriced t shirts, $100 shoes, and vulgar clothing. I can't even get my daughter a decent blouse (not a tshirt) that doesn't reveal her chest! I am so sick of watching the boys hang out of their pants and having to walk stradled just to keep their pants up. And it is distracting for some kids at school. Kids are always gonna laugh and make fun of those that don't have what others do but if you as a parent can minimize that, why wouldn't you? I have a very popular daughter and a son that always got pick on (until he got bigger than most)and I feel that SSA is the way to go. The only kids rights I feel they should have are the right to be loved, protected, and to be taught what is right and wrong. They don't have the right to tell me as a parent what they will and won't wear. Some parents think their kids have all the rights of an adult, that isn't so. Kids are disrespectful of adults and others as it is now, if you don't like SSA you can always move to somewhere that doesn't have it (yet).
This is in response to anyone especially our CURRENT school board members who foolishly think that changing from our current school dress code to a Uniform (SSA)will change a persons or students attitude or conduct. Just take a look at our American Judical system where we add laws to no avail. If a person is not going to obey one law what makes you think they will obey your new one.
Here is a thought that you can try now. Have the administrations enforce our current dress code and leave our children alone to get the education for which we send them to school.
FFABoy WAY TO Go! Someone gave you a set of rules and you follow them. To those who think adding a new set of rules is going to make things better??? The ones who don't follow the current rules still won't and the kids like FFABoy are punished by not being allowed to continue to follow the original rules. That's messed up.
I agree Teachers should just have to educate students but the national govt. passed some silly law that require school systems to practice "loco parentis" {see New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985} so with that being said if a school system thinks it's best for the students to wear solid collar shirts and khaki pants to insure a safe school setting it should be ok with the parents.
If the dress code passes, I think that all employees and even Mr. Gray should have to wear this to. And if this dress code passes, I think that any school board members should not be relected.
I have no children in this school system any longer. BUT Why not just go to uniforms? This list of allowed clothing is virtually a uniform? This dress cold is absurd. I can not understand why you can;t make a few simple rules that state simply no over sized falling off pants of any kind, no mini skirts, hip hugger clothes or midriff shirts and no Huge tee shirts with any profanities on it. That ought to do it wouldn't you think? As an adult I have not seen any kid at Cascade school for one that offended me so bad by what they were wearing. Yes a few that would have violated the above said rules but that could be handled with maybe de merits that add up to detention or maybe in school suspension.
If this is passed then the faculty, including principals should have to follow the same rules / codes as the students. Maybe in a city setting this works but in a rural community it is rediculous. But I would imagine the govt body will do as it, or other politicians wants anyway.
Being a single mom, dealing with a father who doesn't want to help support his children, this would be a great help to me. Not having to struggle to buy clothes that meet the approval of my childrens' peers, knowing that now they will have to wear the same type of clothing will finally bring a little peace to my life. I know the kids are going to fight this because they want to show their individuality through what they wear. Now they can show it through their different personalities. No, it will not improve the quality of their education, but it will give them a heads up on real life!!!!!!
I am a student and I am bigger than average people. I always come to school with an under shirt tucked in and an over shirt on. I wear blue jeans and a belt so I don't sag. so if you just follow the simple rules of the basic dress code there will be no problem. If you think a make over will change anything guess again it wont.
I am a former resident and teacher from Shelbyville but I now teach in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. Yes I do teach at one of the largest schools in Tennessee and have taught in smaller schools. This isnâ??t about teachers doing their jobs it is helping to make a positive environment for learning. Not all parents have the same values what may be offensive to one may not be to another. I have seen fewer fights, more pride and fewer disturbances because of the dress code. Our principal along with other committee members spend hours on hours doing research concerning the dress attire. The results said it would stop gang activity, less fights, calmer climate and better learning conditions for all students which it has done. I know Mr. Gray and I sure that he is going to make the right decisions for all students of Bedford County.
What good is going to come from making a student wear khaki pants instead of denim pants? Does the addition of collars and solid colors increase a students aptitude to learn? Short answer, NO! Just do your job and educate children and let the parents decide what clothing their children wear.
It is ridiculous to think that we have come to need a dress code to keep students in line. I believe if we enforced the code we have everything should be ok. This is going to keep kids from laughing at others, I think not. I can see larger metro schools needing a new policy but not Shelbyville. If it is so important the teachers and administration would have to follow the guidelines too. Let's violate their rights as well.
I don't see a problem with the dress code other than if the students are required to follow the guidelines or be disciplined, so should everyone that receives a check from Bedford County School District.