When I see a tween in tight thin yoga pants and a crop top with skin showing, I feel a twinge of disgust at the poor choice of clothing and wonder where her parents were when she got dressed that morning.

Take this poor choice and plop it into a school environment is a recipe for trouble.

School is a place to learn how to be the best person you can be; how to develop a sense of respect as a learner. Wearing underwear to school accomplishes neither.

I say bring back school uniforms. Actually cheaper for parents in the long run, and a great equalizer for both genders.

When I see a tween in tight thin yoga pants and a crop top with skin showing, I assume that's what they felt like wearing today and go about my business, which has nothing to do with their clothing choices.

Uniforms . . . uniforms . . . I attended several schools where uniforms were provided and were mandatory. Sure everyone fussed but to no avail.

Ultimately we ALL graduated. Uniforms . . . please.

I'm kind of okay with humiliating and shaming parents for not teaching their kids about how to dress. I'm not even using the word "appropriate", because it's subjective.

I'm okay with shaming parents, embarrassing them, being a pain-in-the-butt to them getting calls from the school while they're at work for not teaching the following:

* Dress (or don't dress, or undress) however you want on your own time and in your own space.
* When you are at school or at work, you are *not* on your own time or in your own space.
* When engaging in activity, dress however is comfortable and practical for the activity (ski pants when skiing, yoga pants when yoga, sweats when working out)
* When engaging in social situations, dress to make the statement you want to make. And *comfort* may not be the primary concern. Wear a tie to court, button your shirt on your driver's license photo. Dress however you think gets you taken seriously (if you want to be taken seriously), or ignored (if you want to be ignored), or however (if you seriously don't care what anyone else thinks)
* When you go to school: You are in a social situation, you are not at home, you are not on your own time. You're supposed to be there on time, and you are supposed to agree to the social contract of that venue.
* BTW, you are also supposed to honour the social contracts of your home, your friends, and your family
* Unless you really and truly just don't care; then do whatever. Which implicitly includes skipping school (and therefore being a non-issue anyway)

Your minor kids are minors, you know. They're not being punished or corrected. YOU are.

Uniforms! Put them in polo shirts and khakis and be done with it!

It's not just girls. I taught middle school 25 years ago and can't believe that sagging pants are still a thing. I was so sick of seeing preteen boy's butts and underwear. Girls in leggings that reveal every curvature of their crotch. Call me old-fashioned, I'm sorry but I really don't want to see what people look like naked, I just feel uncomfortable seeing other people's boobs and butts. Teens dress like that because it's a pack mentality, to fit in with the crowd. The district needs to consider that some kids dress this way because "that's what everyone else is wearing" (although they will never admit to peer pressure). Dressing "appropriately" is a social skill, you don't go to a job interview in ripped jeans (I hope).

And a dress code for teachers is needed as well! I was embarrassed to be working with teachers who dressed like they were going out to wash their car, in old faded jeans and baggy tshirts. Whether you agree with it or not, people will judge you on your appearance, and people in positions of authority wear uniforms that convey a certain image. Airline pilots, medical and health care providers, firefighters, police officers, etc look competent and like they know what they are doing. Teachers need to start dressing like they are important. I don't care that Zuckerberg wears tshirts and jeans, teachers still need to dress like they are worth $100,000.

The district just published their draft dress code policy (after this story went to press). I think most would find it to be very considerate, balanced, and reflective of the diversity of MV. It is very well done.

Full Text:
Web Link

Excerpt of the new draft policy:
· All students should be able to dress comfortably for school without fear of discipline or body shaming.
· An individual students’ clothing/self-expression should not be regulated based upon another student’s or staff member’s personal perspective or discomfort.
· Staff should be able to focus on their jobs without the additional burden of dress code enforcement.
· Students should not face unnecessary barriers to school attendance.
· Reasons for conflict and inconsistent discipline should be minimized whenever possible. A policy governing student dress will:
· Maintain a safe learning environment in classes where protective or supportive clothing is needed, such as chemistry/biology (eye or body protection), dance (bare feet, tights/leotards), or PE (athletic attire/shoes).
· Allow students to wear clothing of their choice that is comfortable.
· Allow students to wear clothing that expresses their self-identified gender.
· Allow students to wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination.

Excuse me?

Since when do parents need a dress code to determine what is appropriate dress for their middle-school children???

My parents certainly didn't. They knew exactly what we needed to wear to attend school, not attract unwanted attention and focus on our studies, NOT our clothing.

Parents, focus on your children's studies, not their clothing. Forget what your KID thinks is appropriate. You know what is right for a middle-school child. Try worrying about their grades and what they happen to be learning instead.

Two words for all the people getting the vapors in this comments section...

Ok boomers

khakis and polo shirts, gender neutral, inexpensive...problem solved.

Here is the link to the proposed dress code. Looks great to me, and unlike some commenters above I have an actual student enrolled in the district!
Web Link

It appears the district just borrowed a policy from elsewhere for adoption in January. I hope no consultant from back EAST was hired to check online for a policy to borrow. At least someone else thought about it. The proposed policy says nothing about dressing too sexy but does require areas to be covered. That may be enough.

“both” genders?

You’ve been reported.

Teen girls will wear what other teen girls are wearing, as will the boys, copied from their social media idols.

Regarding polos and khaki - teen trendsetters will wear their uniforms too big, too tight, too short, too long, or whatever, and others will follow.

I agree with the reader who suggested putting your energy into their education.