The Virginian-Pilot
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SUFFOLK
Superintendent Milton Liverman told the School Board on Thursday that he will require administrators and staff to better enforce school dress codes.
After discussing student attire during a work session, board members agreed that no rules need to be changed, but they do need to be followed. Otherwise, said Suffolk Borough representative Michael Debranski, the dress code becomes a joke.
"If we have rules, lets enforce them," Debranski said. "... It makes no sense to have something and not follow it to the letter."
The general policy is that "a student's dress and appearance shall not be such that it causes disruption, distracts others from the educational process or creates a health or safety problem." Each school has more specific regulations.
Kevin Alston, assistant superintendent for administrative services, told the board that enforcement becomes inconsistent because some teachers may view certain clothing items as acceptable while others don't.
Sharon Harris, the board member whose complaints prompted the discussion, said she was happy to hear that the dress code will become more of a priority. While visiting schools in the past, she said, she's seen plenty of violations - including students wearing hats and sagging pants.
"I think it's disgraceful and I do not think it should happen in our schools," she said.
Harris, the Whaleyville Borough representative, did not mention her support of uniforms during the work session. She said afterward that they may not be necessary if the dress code is properly enforced.
In other business:
- The proposed 2009-10 school calendar was released, with students attending classes from Sept. 8, 2009, to June 18, 2010. The proposal will be posted at www.spsk12.net to allow for public comment.
- During the regular monthly meeting, board members voted unanimously to keep graduations at the city's high schools for the 2008-09 school year. There had been a call by students and parents to hold graduations at larger facilities outside the city.
They also issued another call for Suffolk residents who are interested in serving on a committee that will re-evaluate the division's capital improvements plan.
Hattie Brown Garrow, (757) 222-5562, hattie.brown@pilotonline.com
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agree
I think they should look at the dress code again. However, I believe also that the teachers need to start dressing like teachers and not students. Also, last year I had to leave work to go home get a pair of jeans for my daughter and take them to the school because her teacher sent her to the office for her skirt. When standing her skirt was an inch above her knees. When sitting of course it goes up a bit higher. She wears shorts under her skirts due to the fact that the BOYS do not know how to keep their hands to themselves when the girls do dress like girls. I was very upset over the skirt issue. She has never worn a skirt or dress to school again. I think that its sad when our girls can not even dress like girls because of the dress codes and the boys who can not keep control of themselves. I think the teachers need to remember that when sitting a skirt is going to be shorter. Also, I agree on the graduation. We along with our children work very hard to get to graduation and we should not have to have family that has to sit and watch it on a screen. Stop being so cheap suffolk!
Dress Code
I thought it was wonderful the dress code in our schools were going to be looked at. But unfornately, the school board members & supertendent did not really take a look. The policy "no child left behind" could probably benefit from a dress code that was a uniform. It would take some of the peer pressure off of students to not have to dress a certain way to fit in, and instead of the student having to worry if their pants are falling down, they could concentrate more on their studies. If the guys would wear a pair of khaki pants and polo shirt and the girls either a skirt (length definitely being stated and enforced) and a polo shirt or a pair of khaki pants, they could be in the schools colors, just thnk how much nicer going into our schools would be. It also would eliminate the gangs from being able to demonstrate intimidation by having their pack together! The code should also be applied to the teachers as well-some times you can't tell a teacher from a student, not only because of age, but because of the way they are dressed as well. I implore the school board to re-visit this again!