At Tison Middle School, the dress code has become a huge, daily issue and conflict between the student body and administration. Being middle school students, we are in the formative years of life, figuring out who we are, who we want to be and what we want to look like. Every morning, administration stands at the door, looking students up and down to ensure that we are dressed "properly" for school. This practice makes lots of students (male and female alike) uncomfortable. This happening also cuts into class time, some students having to leave class to put tape over the holes in their jeans or go home to get pants instead of shorts. We should always be aware of how society changes over time. Maybe it's time to revisit on the dresscode rules since a few of them might be outdated.

The dress code poses major implications on this as it restricts things like holes in pants, shoulders showing, and the length of our shorts. The "Specific Requirements" states "Shorts or skirts must be finger tip length, that is the length cannot be shorter than the level of where the finger tips fall when the student's hands are at his/her sides. Rips in jeans that are above the finger tip length area are not appropriate for school." This shows how restricted what students can wear is. Being students, wearing jeans with holes or shorts is something we did every day over the summer, but now that we're not able to wear either of those articles of clothing, we are unable to truly be ourselves and wear what we want. Not to mention that everyone has different body types and the "finger tip" rule will be different for someone with short arms, than someone with longer arms. 

The "Specific Requirements" also states "Sleeveless attire cannot reveal undergarments. Shirts cannot be tight, low-cut or show cleavage. Tight fitting clothing is not permitted without a covering garment thy when worn alone meets the other guidelines of this dressescode. This may include but not limited to camisoles, leggings, biking shorts/tights (spandex), or athletic/athletic type girdle." For middle school students, it is very hard to find clothing that fits right into the dress code. Shirts being loose and fully covering the upper body is restrictive to students who feel uncomfortable wearing loose, long clothing whether it be due to feeling dysphoric or just plain uncomfortable. Girls are basically only left with the option of wearing jeans with no rips or very lose sweatpants. This is completely unfair especially because we can't wear  leggings (one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing).  We have to be at school Monday through Friday and that means if we can't wear what we want 5 out of 7 days of the week, chances are we are uncomfortable and unhappy at school. 

As a solution, maybe it's time for all of us to have a constructive discussion regarding the dresscode. That should involve the school board, teachers, parents and student representatives. I believe that if we get the chance to re-evaluate the dresscode, it will make a huge difference in our student's daily lives at school.