Searcy(LP) The dress code has always been the top conversation around school. What will be the new rule? Will the dress code get stricter? The real question is, “Is it a problem?” In my interview with Claude Smith, principal of Searcy High School, Mr. Smith stated, “It is not a big problem.” When asked how often students get sent to him or their parents called he answered, “Not often. Most students comply with us and the rules.” Mark Kelley, head football coach at Searcy High, added “The dress code is a guideline that is pretty fair and helps keep decency.”
James Ironside a senior at Searcy High School said, “Dress code does not effect the learning environment,” he also mentioned, “It cuts down on individuality.” James stated, “Dress code helps prepare you for the future-for jobs and/or college.” In a recent poll, I asked twenty students what the most controversial clothing item got students got in trouble for involving dress code. The results of the poll is below.
- 35% of students say Shirts
- 50% of students say Pants and skirts
- 10% of students say Jewelry
- 5% of students say Hair
Half of the students chose pants or skirts, however shirts proved massive controversy as well, making it a close second within the polls. Dress code is believed to cause uproar in many teens across the globe. Surprisingly, Searcy High students showed little to no aggression or resentment when dress code was brought to the table. However, students do believe that the dress code needs a little altering, especially in the area of sleeves and distressed pants.
Dress code in many places involve a school uniform. A school uniform is believed to erase differences and create a more controlled and united group. Although this is believed to be true by many, Amber Betts, a senior at Searcy High School, states, “At my old school we had a uniform and people still found their way around to wear what they wanted to. This included making cliques and not accepting others.” Luckily no one is trying to set a uniform in Searcy high which leaves students with individuality and controlled creativity.
Teens have a problem finding up-to-date outfits and nice clothes that are comfortable without hitting the inappropriate level. Parents worry when buying clothes for mainly female teens because of the more recent styles being out of dress code. The new style of 2016 is sleeveless tank tops, dresses, and short shorts. The meaning of appropriate and decent can be taken many ways that is why the dress code puts a set limit on inappropriate and indecent. To help students with dress code teachers recommend that parents find an easy way to let the child be themselves, while also influencing them to a more work and school appropriate closet. The rules of dress code are made by the school board and required by law, so regardless of students and/or parents personal beliefs, the dress code will be enforced.
