The School Dress Code Causes Controversy

By: Kayla Kelsey

In order to promote a clear focus on education, The Sparta High School recently established a dress code policy that provides dress and appearance requirements for its students.

The dress code "enhances the learning environment," said Sam Russ, the Sparta High School Principle. "A student's dress, like conduct, is a personal matter limited only by the realities of health, safety, guidance, or disruptions of normal school operations."

But to some of the students of Sparta High School, the dress code seems rather hard to follow. Some girls find it hard to follow the rule of keeping your shoulders covered.

"I think that they should let us wear tank tops that have an inch strap," said Katie Hedrick, a sophomore at the school. "I want to be able to wear halter tops too; I have a super cute one that I can't even wear to school."

The dress code states that wearing apparel can enhance or distract from any situation. Within the guidelines, the following types of apparel will be considered inappropriate and should not be worn to school: any clothing with writing, pictures, or symbols which enhances the image, or through direct appeal, promotes the use or consumption of tobacco, drugs and/or alcohol. Any clothing with writing, pictures, or symbols which are suggestive, obscene, or distasteful, are also not allowed. Outdoor attire is not permitted in the classroom, along with the wearing of caps, hats, or headgear (sunglasses). Everyone is to have their shoulders covered and cannot walk around barefoot or in stocking feet. Also immodest clothing, like midriffs, halter tops, tube tops, skirts, and shorts that are considered "too short", and bra straps cannot be visible.

"I agree with the dress code," said JoDee Hoiness, the Sparta High School's FACE teacher. "Students are aware of the dress code", Hoiness continues, "There will always be those kids who want to be the 'non-followers'."

But is the dress code really helping, or is it just causing controversy?

Russ said, "Yes, I believe it's working, I don't have any statistics saying that it is helping enhance the learning environment, but most students are following it." Katie Hedrick disagrees, "no kids are not obeying it, I see girls in tank tops all the time."

Some students try breaking the dress code thinking that they won't get caught. When or if they are caught breaking the dress code they are told that they either need to cover their shoulders or change whatever it is that is wrong with their outfit.

"What is the policy," asked Hoiness, "most students are aware of what the dress code is, but what's going to happen to them if they are breaking it?" Hedrick backs this up by stating, "What is the 'official' dress code, some people don't even get yelled at when they break it?"

The dress code is harder for some people to obey by when it starts to get warmer. Some students want to wear tank tops, shorts, and skirts, since some parts of the school are hotter than the other.

"The length of skirts, shorts, and dresses needs to be better enforced," said Hoiness. "Teachers are good about watching for tank tops, but the length of some girls' skirts, shorts, and dresses are a little revealing." Some schools have the rule that the end of your bottoms must be to your finger tips.

So far the Sparta High School dress code has not caused too many issues and is being followed by a majority of the student body.