Currently the Oak Bluff's School (which is grades K-8), allows for students K-4 to wear tops with any size straps on the shoulders.  However once a student is in grades 5-8 the strap must be 3 finger widths wide.  Tank tops that have straps less than 3 fingers wide are typically worn by those who are girls and/or identify as girls.  The difference between girls from grades K-4 and 5-8 is that they are going through puberty and are developing breasts.  The school dress code sends the message to girls that once they develop breasts their shoulders are too distracting to boys and are inappropriate.  Teachers have pulled girls aside and told them they need to cover up.  Girls have had to borrow clothes from the nurse's office (even during Covid) or go home to change.  Drawing this kind of attention to certain parts of the female body and insinuating they need to be hidden can make girls feel like there is something wrong with the way they look.  This often leads to low self-esteem and depression.

When a girl is taken out of a class on a hot day for wearing a strappy top, because she is "distracting" her male classmates, his education is prioritized over hers.  It also sends the message to girls that they and what they wear are responsible for the way boys react and respond.  This message is the start of rape culture where people ask victims what they were wearing.  These are not the types of messages that should be taught in our education systems.  

There are numerous template dress codes available online that are non-discriminatory and body positive.  We ask for the Oak Bluffs School Committee to adopt a new dress code that is non-discriminatory, body positive, and truly safe and supportive to all their students.