We have created this petition on behalf of the students and numerous concerned parents within the Allen ISD schools.  Specifically, at Lowery Freshman Center (LFC).  The current Dress-Code Policy is leaving our students, mainly females, feeling objectified and shamed by the manner in which the student is deemed 'in-violation' of the district wide policy.  

Students at LFC are being subjected to random dress code checks implemented by the school Principals request.  Students are made to stand up in class to allow the teacher to assess whether any student may be in violation that day.  Sadly, individuals are also called out to stand in front of their peers as the teacher determines a ruling of that students clothing. If deemed in violation, they are told to leave the classroom and report to their House Office to yet again be judged on their appearance.  If deemed in fact in violation, the student must then go to the nurses office to be given temporary clothes to wear as well as turn over their phone, and in some instances, serve time in detention, ISS, or sent to Dillard.  All the while, missing valuable class instruction time.  All because of their clothes. Most student violators are females wearing long baggy fitting T-shirts, or baggy sweatshirts deemed inappropriate to wear with leggings because they are not considered "mid-thigh" length.  

Studies show over the past several years that strict Dress Code policies have become very controversial on whether excluding students from the classroom for violating dress codes is worthwhile, and whether such rules are disproportionately enforced against girls.  

LFC Parents United FB group has decided it is time to no longer simply complain, but to make a change!  

Our values are:

• The District should set clear and precise requirements with clear guidelines that state the Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students.
• Clothes must be worn in a way such that genitals and buttocks are covered with opaque material. 
• High-school courses that include attire as part of the curriculum (for example, professionalism, public speaking, and job readiness) may include assignment-specific dress, but should not focus on covering girls’ bodies or promoting culturally-specific attire.
• All students should be able to dress comfortably for school without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming.
• All students and staff should understand that Teachers can focus on teaching without the additional and often uncomfortable burden of dress code enforcement.
• Students should not face unnecessary barriers to school attendance.
• A student dress code should accomplish several goals
• Allow students to wear clothing of their choice that is comfortable.
• Allow students to wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination
• Prevent students from wearing clothing with offensive images or language, including profanity, hate speech, and pornography. 
• Prevent students from wearing clothing with images or language depicting or advocating violence or the use of alcohol or drugs. 
• Ensure that all students are treated equitably regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, body type/size, religion, and personal style.
• The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and parents or guardians.
• The school district and individual schools are responsible for seeing that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, and that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student.
• Students should be given the most choice possible in how they dress for school.
• Any restrictions must be necessary to support the overall educational goals of the school and must be explained within the dress code.
• School administrators and teachers should be trained to understand the purpose/spirit of the code, the actual code, and how to enforce with the least impact on student learning and self-confidence.
• School administrators and teachers must enforce the district dress code consistently, once it is adopted.
• School administration and staff should not have discretion to vary the requirements in ways that lead to discriminatory enforcement.
• School staff should be trained and able to use student/body-positive language to explain the code and to address code violations.
• Students should never be removed from a classroom / lose class time solely as a result of a dress code violation.
• Students should never be forced to wear extra school clothing (that isn’t their own) when they are in violation of the code. That is akin to a dunce cap or scarlet letter. They can be asked to put on their own on- site clothing, if available, to be dressed more to code.
• No student should be disproportionately affected by dress code enforcement because of gender, race, body size, or body maturity.
• The dress code should be clearly conveyed to students, not just in the student handbook which rarely gets read, but in other ways, too, such as posters, newsletters, etc...
• Students should not be shamed or required to display their body in front of others (students, parents, or staff) in school. “Shaming” includes but is not limited to kneeling or bending over to check attire fit, measuring straps or skirt length, asking students to account for their attire in the classroom, and directing students to correct a dress code violation during instructional time.

It is our collective thought that Allen ISD could benefit by implementing a Dress Code Policy that supports equitable educational access and does not reinforce stereotypes. By signing this petition, you are agreeing with the above mentioned changes to the current out-dated policy.