Tuck 'em in, school board tells students

As Ed Gray sifted through paperwork in his office Wednesday in preparation for a new school year -- a new year that includes several changes within the physical and administrative aspects of the county school system -- he reported some minor changes in the system-wide dress code.

Last year the Bedford County Board of Education passed the dress code.

"There are very few changes," Gray said. "The biggest change is that shirts have to be tucked in."

Gray said the board passed this resolution to the code based on recommendations of school principals, who felt it was difficult to enforce the sagging of pants when untucked shirts cover the pants.

Reflecting his view that the dress code is in place to prepare students for adulthood and careers, Gray cited five state legislatures that had bills this year against wearing sagging pants in public.

"It didn't pass, but it will come up again next year," Gray said.

He continued, "Students should be wearing clothes they could wear to work ... that's what we're working toward."

Other changes to the dress code include students now having the freedom to wear any solid colored shirt they desire, as long as it has a collar and sleeves and is of the appropriate size as outlined in the dress code.

Students may wear hoodies, which are considered lightweight outerwear. However, students must wear a collared shirt underneath these hoodies.

The revised dress code also touches on embellishments. The current policy reads "pants, jeans, shorts, capri pants, skirts, skorts or jumpers in solid colors with no embellishments of any kind" are acceptable. "Embellishments may be defined as elaborate decoration or adornments. Note: a simple thread of any color on jean pocket is not considered an embellishment."

To view the dress code policy in full, visit the Board of Education's web site at http://www.bedfordk12tn.com/education/di... and click on the "School Board" link.

Gray said he is addressing concerns over the enforcement of the dress code in terms of consistency from school to school and said Terry Looper will be closely supervising the enforcement of the dress code throughout the year.

"We are trying to be as consistent as possible," said Looper, acknowledging he is aware of parents' concerns over this issue.

Violations to the school dress code will now be handled in the same manner as other school disciplinary infractions, by utilizing the Manual of Student Discipline Code, Gray said.

"(The dress code) is like any other school rule and should fall under the code of discipline," he said.

This code can be found in the student handbook, which is passed out to each student at the beginning of the school year.

Grand openings

Ribbon cuttings for Community High School and Learning Way Elementary are coming up soon, Gray said, and he invites the public to attend the ceremonies.

Gray said Community's open house and ribbon cutting will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 2. Learning Way's is planned for 2 p.m. Aug. 9.

Following brief ceremonies, all are welcome to tour the new schools.