The dress code is a sexist document that must be eliminated to protect all students right to a free and fair education. Me and my fellow students believe that this code is blatantly sexist. here are some paragraphs written by students as to why the code should be eliminated:

I think that the dress code should be changed because it sexualizes students but is targeted towards women. If students think that a piece of clothing is distracting then it is not the person that is wearing the clothes' fault, but it is the distracted persons. I personally think that the dress code should be changed in moderation when it comes to showing skin. Skin shouldn’t be sexualized, especially when everyone has it. When someone gets dress coded it takes away from their learning just because of their skin. In my opinion, and many others, dress code targets women specifically, it teaches young girls that bodies are to be hidden. Boys get away with breaking dress code much more often. The whole time that I have been in school, I don’t remember a time where a boy got dress coded, and that is pure truth which is sad. Dress code also suggests that a boys can’t control themselves when they see something out of dress code, which not only restricts females, but it insults men and the way that people think boys can’t control themselves. Many states in the USA are hot. In Florida specifically, it gets hot, and it stays hot for a very long time. If a shirt doesn’t have sleeves, then it shouldn’t matter because it allows the student to feel more comfortable. Education should be valued more than what someone wears to their body. Dress code perpetuates the vibes that women should protect themselves which gives in an article about dress codes, Laura Bates from TIME Magazine said, “It teaches our children that girls’ bodies are dangerous, powerful and sexualized and that boys are biologically programmed to objectify and harass them.”

Dress code was developed in 1969 by the U.S. Supreme Court or in other words 9 white men. Well, I think it time to bring schools to the twenty first century. The whole idea that a person, especially a girl has to wear certain clothing is messed up. Dress code is a sexist and outdated system. It's not distracting to see a girl's shoulders, belly buttons, or even kneecaps in some situations. And it's not okay that boys have the freedom to wear almost whatever they want. I say we change the system let a human chose what they want to wear each day, without this system pulling them back.

Those are just 2 of many responses from students about the blatantly sexist dress code. Please sign this petition to show the school board that this community is done having out of touch board members dictate what we wear.