Wow, Mrs. Nettie, that’s a great dress you’re wearing today, said Merilee as she walked through the cafeteria towards the restroom. Not ten minutes later, Sarah walked past the office wearing a dress almost identical to Mrs. Nettie’s.
Netties was stopped by the principal, Mr. Meth. Sarah was forced to change her dress because it did not follow the school dress policy, while Mrs. Nettie did not have to change. This story illustrates just one of Nicholas County High School’s dress code rules.
Nicholas County High School demands too much by asking students to abide by an unreasonable dress code. The school needs to take a closer look at what they are demanding. If the school decides to have a dress code, everyone should be forced to abide by it. The dress code is followed by all students, but it would be more fair and efficient if teachers also abide by the dress code. Teachers should set an example of how students should dress.
Because students look up to teachers and respect their actions, it is important for teachers to uphold the rules. As fashion changes, students at Nicholas County High School tend to keep up with new styles. For instance, athletic sandals are currently popular and many students find them comfortable and stylish. However, during the 2000-2001 school year, new factors addressing the school dress policy came into effect. One rule is that no athletic sandals without heel straps may be worn during school hours. I find this rule to be silly because students spend a lot of money on sandals over the summer and it would be wasteful not to be able to wear them to school.
Students spend most of their time during the school year at school, therefore they should be comfortable so they might have a more pleasurable learning experience. Another factor to consider is that most shorts and skirts are made higher than three inches above the knee. However, Nicholas County High School’s dress code does not permit shorts or skirts higher than three inches above the knee. This is ridiculous because most stores don’t even sell shorts that long.
Maybe the school officials can take the entire student body on a shopping trip and try to find a wardrobe that abides by their dress code. I doubt they would find this a fun task. Nicholas County High’s dress code is too strict. In this day and age, with new fashion and the different personalities of every student, students should be permitted to dress how they choose, as long as what they choose is decent.
The way people dress is an expression of their personalities. When you take away the right of expression, you are basically telling people not to be themselves. Students have the right to express themselves how they please, and if this means breaking dress codes, then so be it. Even so, if Nicholas County High School insists on keeping this unreasonable dress code, then teachers should set a good example and follow the code also.
