Confusion causes dress code violations
Derss code prohibits students from wearing revealing attire, including tank tops and strapless outfits. Dress code has often been a topic of controversy for students and teachers alike. [Pictured in photo illustration is sophomore Kindra Herre.]
Dress code has been a staple in Perry’s rules of conduct since its opening in 2007. It has guided students towards environmentally aware fashion decisions for ultimate success. The list is simple: a guideline to ensure modesty and limited distraction.
According to the student handbook, the dress code is broken up into five areas of concern: brief and revealing clothing, vulgar/offensive messages, sagging pants, gang-related attire, and footwear/jewelry/accessories. Each category possesses a multitude of clarifications on the type of garments that are disallowed from the school properties.
Acceptable measurements are not specified in inches and finger-lengths but the handbook states, “The school administration retains the final discretion to determine that the garment or accessory meets the dress code. Some exceptions may be made for uniforms, formal attire, and/or costumes.”
Restrictions on articles of clothing like, “tank tops, halter-tops, garments with spaghetti straps, strapless garments, trench coats,” are typical in most school environments. The Chandler Unified School District also includes constraints on wallet chains, hats, slippers, and hazardous body jewelry. Students have also learned the importance of wearing shoes at all times on campus.
Punishments for dress code offenses vary between warnings for the first offense and beyond that include “parent conference[s], after-school detention, community service, in school suspension, or off-campus suspension.”
“We have an increase in dress codes from last year, big time,” Yesenia Gallo, assistant to Heather Patterson and dress code official for the junior class, states. “I think a lot of the problem is that the kids don’t read what the dress code is [in the student handbook] and say that they know or they don’t know.”
Many students argue that the dress code is subjective to teacher opinion. “Dress code needs to be enforced by teachers, not by administration,” Serrano explains.
“Most of the time, our main problem is girls wearing the see-through shirts with just a bandeau,” Gallo states.
“Guys are not exempt from dress code rules and are usually dress coded for ‘the inappropriate message on their shirt,’” Serrano said.
Despite occasional opposition to the dress code, it is pretty well-regarded. As it is mandated by the district, the administration’s only duty is to follow it as they see fit.
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