Some Thoughts on School Dress Codes

I find myself watching local TV newscast less these days. Part of it is the 24/7 availability of news on th internet. There are certain websites that I visit several times a day. I also subscribe to a couple of daily newspapers that provide me with an, albiet biased at times, overview. My disenchantment with local newscasts is rooted in the stations decisions as to what is major news. Often the lead story fall into one of two categories: An event that tugs at our emotional heartstings, a cancer patient who is miraculously cured, or an account of some form of social injustice, elderly widow is evicted from only home she has ever lived in.

The later was the case last Friday night. The lead story was about three Mesquite, Texas high school students who were denied entry to the school sponsored senior breakfast because they were not dressed appropriately. The three girls appreared smiling on camera. They seemed to be normally good kids, certainly not rebellious troublemakers. In my opinion, they were dressed appropriately. "We were told to wear our "Sunday best," they noted. One girl reported that she had even worn the same dress to school once before with no problem. The school district had used the term "Sunday best" in March when the event was announced. That was clarified in April when, low-cut or bare shoulder dresses were banned. Then Thursday, the day before the event, students were told sundresses, even with a sweater or jacket, were inappropriate. You can probably guess, the girls who were turned away were wearing sundresses.

Having spent years as a school counselor, I am familiar with the tension created by a school dress code. The school where I worked had a student handbook. Inappropriated dress and hairstyles were clearly defined. That did not stop some students from "pressing the envelope." When they complained to me, I could always direct them to the school guidelines. I should add that the handbook was included in the agenda books students were required to carry with them at all times. Parents almost always supported the school, especially since they had attended an orientation meeting before their child ever attended class.

With the current incident; I have to side with the students, only because it seems like the school district did not do a sufficient job of communicating. Verbally amending the rules the day before, especially with seniors whose minds are probably in "La La Land" to begin with, is not acceptable. The students had heard "Sunday best" and that is what they wore. I noted a number of female teens wearing sundresses at our church yesterday, and I consider all of them to have been dressed appropriately.

Where does this leave parents? They have the responsibility to know the school dress code, and make sure their students understand and respect it. Even if they don't agree, the school administration deserves their support. We also need to hold our schools accountable for communicating clearly and punctually.