New Middle School Dress Code, Have we come to this?

Less bare skin to be new rule
Sunday, February 06, 2005
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
[email protected]

SOUTH HADLEY - The new dress code at Michael E. Smith Middle School that seeks to limit the amount of skin pupils may bare in class had its genesis last year after some female students fell out of their tops.

"We had girls fall out of their shirts in the sixth grade," principal Melodie L. Goodwin said during a recent interview at the school about the code, which takes effect March 21.

Some male teachers expressed concern about the amount of flesh being displayed, and Goodwin started gathering input to develop a new dress code

"They were a little uncomfortable interacting with some of the girls," Goodwin said.

The principal said for some reason pupils began wearing much more revealing clothes to school starting last spring, something about which parents may be ignorant because many youngsters leave home with a hooded, zippered top under which they may be wearing a halter top. Pupils also started rolling down their sweat pants at school, revealing the tops of their buttocks, as well as not wearing brassieres or underpants and traipsing around in stiletto heels.

"This year we had a young lady come into the cafeteria with only a bra and sweat pants on," Goodwin said. "Her mom agreed it was very inappropriate."

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6th-grade girls "falling out"?
Another pre-teen wearing only a bra and sweat pants?
Others revealing the tops of their butts?
Others not wearing underpants?

I understand that some parents are being lied to by their children. But how many parents simply don't want to know lest they have to do something harsh - like actually do some parenting? Of course by age 13 most of these behaviors are already solidified in kids, with real parenting being required many years earlier.

And then we have the genius Jessica Kennedy, the 14-year-old eighth-grade president of the student council, saying "I think the students should be listened to a little bit more."

At the risk of sounding inflammatory, I can't help but wonder whether this is one of the products of a generation (or more) of absentee parents whose children have basically been brought up by a succession of day care providers, including children who have essentially received much of their "supervision" in the form of unlimited access to cable TV.

Baggy pants which occasionally leaving one exposed is nothing new. I remember seeing it when I was in school. Although then, if someone was actually revealing themselves because of it, then it probably wasn't intentional. Completely comming out of one's clothes though. As much as I think nudity shouldn't matter in society, it does matter to the mindset of most. so no, That shouldn't be happening.

1. I'm glad we had boys.
2. I'm glad they're grown.

I am also glad we had boys.

However, I'd still like to see schools go to uniforms. Last year my boys were in private school and I loved not having to figure out what to put on them from day to day. Blue pants and white shirt! Those were the days.

My feeling's on this issue are a little different... I have 3 children, that attend public school. two of the three are girls. I wouldn't want them in uniforms, only because I am proud of the up bringing that my husband and I have given them and their freedom of self-expression, to be who they are.

Granted, my Oldest girl will only be a 6th grader next year, and I do see girls in elementary school wearing short skirts, and heels, with big looped earings. My girls see that, and (as I cry with pride) say"Man, that's trashy!"There not the "Monkey see, Monkey do" type of kids.

I wouldn't say they are "tom boys", they do like to dress "in-style" and girly, but all three, are clean cut. It isn't just the girls falling out of their clothes, it's the boys who wear the pants with their boxers exposed.

I see them when they leave for school...I trust them. I buy their clothes, I know what they have. I do think that the Kid's that are having the issues have absentee parenting, single parent homes, mom or dad have to work 3 jobs, etc..

I'm sorry if I stepped on anyones toes. I just threw it out there.

Speaking as a public school teacher (an old one at that) Becca, it is amazing what even a short teacher sees when they are standing in front of a room. Teachers have the unfortunate view up a girls skirt (or loose shorts) and down her shirt. I wish the states had mandatory uniforms or enforced the dress codes! In my class I tell the boys that I don't care of they have lace on their panties, I do not want to see it. Pull up their pants!! And the ladies will wear my deceased father-in-laws sweater if they cannot come dressed appropriately! I do not want to see their body parts or underwear!!

So, Becca, think about that when dressing your daughters.... A boy walking down the isle in the room can see every thing the teacher can see.

It's amazing what kids do once they get to school. But, Becca, you are right, many do not have true parents.

Okay, I reliquish the soap box

I am curious as to how long it took the schools administration to do something about the dress code? Why did it take complaints from the male teachers? Didn't the principal see these kids in the halls, etc?
My wife is an aide at our local school and she gets frustrated with the fact that our administration sets up rules, such as dress codes, then ignores them for the rest of the school year.

"So, Becca, think about that when dressing your daughters.... A boy walking down the isle in the room can see every thing the teacher can see. "

Maybe I didn't make it clear in my little "outburst". I DO NOT allow my daughters or my son to dress "trashy"! They wear what they like, but NO short skirts, NO low jeans, NO underpants hanging out, NO high hills, NO make-up..etc.

I said that they dress to express who they are. They DON'T have to be in uniforms to look decent! It's too bad that those who dress "they just came in off the street" ruin it for all the other kids!

"Sigh" I love my kids, and I pride myself with good kids...but, once they hit the "teen" years, I can only hope that their Dad and I did a good enough job, that they wont be too badly influenced to change thir dressing habits once they get to school.

I too am off my soap-box!

Our youngest son's school has uniforms. Has since he started school, blue or khaki pants and various color blue, white or yellow shirts, so I don't mind. as for expressing himself, he does that with his shoes (Yu-Gi-Oh) and his backpack (Jesse James).
our older kids are both in high school now and they don't have uniforms but they neither of them dresses "trashy".
Both of them usually in t shirts and nice jeans or pants, on Wednesday, the oldest has to wear her ROTC uniform, on Fridays, they both have to wear their band tshirts.

that's about as uniform as those two kids get, lol. but that is a very good thing! they are their own people and do not allow, fashions or trends to influence what they wear or think.


Lil

Lil...That's basically what I think..as you've probably read. It sounds better coming from you though.

Becca & Lil I do wish more parents would actually take can interest in their children as you both do And, JP, I understand your wife's frustration. After working at a school with uniforms I am all in favor of them.

Thank you, that really does meal lots! I too wish other parent would take more care in how their children dress. It's a tough job, and if the parent(s) don't inforce it, then who will?