Inappropriate dress code reminder

[Anonymous]

I saw the following in an email from the principal about proper dress in warm weather. This seems rife with gender stereotypes (i.e. boys can wear sandals, girls can wear shirts with large armholes).

"Be sure that students are wearing proper foot gear to play safely on the playground and during PE. Girls should wear shoes that have straps that secure their foot in the shoe. As the Air Conditioner comes on in the building, continue to send a light weight jacket or sweater to cover arms. Students wearing sleeveless shirts or shorts with sandals are uncomfortable in chilled rooms. Spaghetti straps should not be worn to school. Boys should not wear shirts with large arm holes cut out. Students need to focus on learning and not distracted by revealing clothing items."

The concept of revealing clothing causing students to become "distracted" from learning is typically and disparately applied to girls so maybe that's why it doesn't sit well for me. It also seems a little inappropriate since we are talking about an elementary school.

Very little of the reminder for appropriate dress from the principal is contained in the FCPS dress code in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. There are some similar themes to the handbook but the handbook presents them in a genderless manner and the concept of being "distracting" by having revealing clothing items is no where to be found.

Are principals allowed to set their own dress code that goes beyond FCPS district policy? If so, would DCUM report this? If so, who do you tell? This came from the principal so I can't forward it to her and expect an open mind about why this may not be the most appropriate language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw the following in an email from the principal about proper dress in warm weather. This seems rife with gender stereotypes (i.e. boys can wear sandals, girls can wear shirts with large armholes).

"Be sure that students are wearing proper foot gear to play safely on the playground and during PE. Girls should wear shoes that have straps that secure their foot in the shoe. As the Air Conditioner comes on in the building, continue to send a light weight jacket or sweater to cover arms. Students wearing sleeveless shirts or shorts with sandals are uncomfortable in chilled rooms. Spaghetti straps should not be worn to school. Boys should not wear shirts with large arm holes cut out. Students need to focus on learning and not distracted by revealing clothing items."

The concept of revealing clothing causing students to become "distracted" from learning is typically and disparately applied to girls so maybe that's why it doesn't sit well for me. It also seems a little inappropriate since we are talking about an elementary school.

Very little of the reminder for appropriate dress from the principal is contained in the FCPS dress code in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. There are some similar themes to the handbook but the handbook presents them in a genderless manner and the concept of being "distracting" by having revealing clothing items is no where to be found.

Are principals allowed to set their own dress code that goes beyond FCPS district policy? If so, would DCUM report this? If so, who do you tell? This came from the principal so I can't forward it to her and expect an open mind about why this may not be the most appropriate language.

Do you know any sixth grade boys? Have you seen the clothing some of these girls wear?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I saw the following in an email from the principal about proper dress in warm weather. This seems rife with gender stereotypes (i.e. boys can wear sandals, girls can wear shirts with large armholes).

"Be sure that students are wearing proper foot gear to play safely on the playground and during PE. Girls should wear shoes that have straps that secure their foot in the shoe. As the Air Conditioner comes on in the building, continue to send a light weight jacket or sweater to cover arms. Students wearing sleeveless shirts or shorts with sandals are uncomfortable in chilled rooms. Spaghetti straps should not be worn to school. Boys should not wear shirts with large arm holes cut out. Students need to focus on learning and not distracted by revealing clothing items."

The concept of revealing clothing causing students to become "distracted" from learning is typically and disparately applied to girls so maybe that's why it doesn't sit well for me. It also seems a little inappropriate since we are talking about an elementary school.

Very little of the reminder for appropriate dress from the principal is contained in the FCPS dress code in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. There are some similar themes to the handbook but the handbook presents them in a genderless manner and the concept of being "distracting" by having revealing clothing items is no where to be found.

Are principals allowed to set their own dress code that goes beyond FCPS district policy? If so, would DCUM report this? If so, who do you tell? This came from the principal so I can't forward it to her and expect an open mind about why this may not be the most appropriate language.

Do you know any sixth grade boys? Have you seen the clothing some of these girls wear?

Although that's not the point of the question, yes I have. I've seen both boys and girls of this age at school as my children are obviously in elementary school. Not sure where you live but the kids at our school are, for the most part, appropriately dressed.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the email.

So it's OK to specify dress code violations by gender?

[Anonymous]

I have no issues with the email. You just want a fight...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the email.

So it's OK to specify dress code violations by gender?

Yes. The email was not sexist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the email.

So it's OK to specify dress code violations by gender?

The dress code isn't gendered, although some of the reminders were. Not a problem.

[Anonymous]

No issue with this e-mail

[Anonymous]

Wait till HS. Girls wearing booty shorts and low cut tops. Not appropriate in a learning environment. I wish we had uniforms.

[Anonymous]

The email doesn’t thrill me, but it’s not the battle I would pick to fight.

[Anonymous]

I don't think clothing is the issue with distraction but it discussed both boys and girls. Boys cannot wear tank tops either.

[Anonymous]

Dress your kid appropriately, without T&A or their junk hanging out and you won’t have a problem. You know this. Unfortunately there are families who don’t get it, so the principal needs to spell it out. Yes, even in elementary school.

If you don’t understand why an adolescent girl falling out of her top or a guy wearing spandex pants distracts from the learning environment, I can’t help you.

Stop trying to be offended about everything and focus on working with the school.

[Anonymous]

I'm a feminist who has issues with gender discrimination, but unfortunately, the clothes available for girls/women are often more revealing than the clothes available for boys/men. I don't think school is the place for revealing clothes. A boy is unlikely to wear a spaghetti strap sundress or tank. A girl might wear that, and it might be too revealing for school. Our dress code specifies that tank tops are ok but no spaghetti straps. (I think they are also trying to avoid visible bra straps because let's face it, that makes boys think about bras, which makes them think about boobs, which is distracting.)

[Anonymous]

OP, get a life. I'm sick of people getting their "panties" stuck up their asses over every little thing. THERE ARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BOYS AND GIRLS. Just stop pretending there isn't.

Don't you have more important social justice issues to post on DCUM?!