The dresscode at SCHS is blatantly sexist and completely unfair. You can say that it’s “free from gender bias” and “equal for everybody” but we aren’t buying it.

   The dresscode very clearly targets clothing that is commonly labeled as women’s clothing. For example, crop-tops, tanktops, and short-shorts. The excuse that is heard the most for banning these clothes is “to create a positive learning environment” but how is our education being prioritized when we are being taken out of class and missing out on important lessons because of what we’re wearing? 

   A lot of people believe that the dresscode sexualizes young girls, and I agree with this. It is not the students being distracted by what we are wearing, it’s some of the teachers. How can we feel safe when a few of the adults that are supposed to protect us are seeing us as sexual objects? Possibly, my most important question is, Why are we teaching girls that “covering up” avoids sexualization? This can create long-lasting, negative, psychological effects.

   Our dresscode is pretty lenient in some ways by allowing us to wear hats, tank tops or ripped jeans at all. Although, it still makes back to school shopping a pain. It’s nearly impossible to find a pair of shorts/ripped jeans that go past my fingertips, a shirt that isn’t cropped, or a tanktop with thick enough straps, especially in August. The big box stores such as Walmart, carry the latest trends. These are the clothes most families can afford. It’s unreasonable to ask families to special order “dresscode approved” clothing when most cannot afford it.

   One of the MOST problematic things about our dresscode is how students who wear head coverings for religious reasons have to have PRINCIPAL APPROVAL. A student should NOT have to have approval to practice dressing in their accepted religious covering at school, which is a place they are supposed to be safe and accepted. We have a right to practice our religion freely and without question.

   We have to come to school everyday, and we believe we should be able to come to school and be COMFORTABLE. I can assure you, most students will be so much more eager to come to school ready to learn if we have the freedom to wear what makes us confident and comfortable without the fear of consequences.

   Us students are tired of the dresscode, we are tired of the unfair punishments and ideas that the dresscode brings. We hope that after reading this, the idea of revising the dresscode policy will at least be considered. Thank you.