Enforcing the Dress Code Policy in Lima City Schools

Similarly to how some of my teachers were astounded by the latest cheating strategies of students, I was dumbfounded by the tactics of teachers. The article exposed me to a new type of cheating, and made me reflect on the similarities between my teachers and me. When a student does not perform according to set standards, he or she must still attend school. It is law that eve... ... middle of paper ... ...ccess, even if it means bringing harm to others. The article also described an incident where teachers and principals in Birmingham, Alabama encouraged more than 500 students “to drop out of school before the test” (Tomar) out of fear that they would being the school’s test scores down.

If sent to the office, students are penalized with a day of in-school suspension instead of being allowed to call for a change of clothes. At first glance, the prohibition of tank tops, jeans with holes above the knee, and shorts and skirts shorter than fingertip length, among many other guidelines, seems reasonable, but after further reconsideration, it is clear that the dress code at Elizabeth Forward High School is ridiculous and hypocritical. I think that Elizabeth Forward High School should lift the harsh policies because of the temperature fluctuation in the building throughout the school year, recent trends among teens, and the hypocrisy associated with the dress code. Elizabeth Forward High School is situated on top of hill with very little shade, leaving it vulnerable to the heat in the summer months and freezing temperatures in the winter months. The school’s brick construction traps the heat in the summer, and the poor air circulation and air conditioning units limited to computer rooms and administrative offices makes it hard for the building to cool down.

protested against their new school dress policy that established that women should not wear any kind of clothing that might cause distraction to male students. They, as many others, have come to realize that these kinds of rules are not helpful but harmful for them. Sadly, not all students are conscious enough of what is happening or have enough support from their family and friends to protest against this rule. In a personal interview October 16, 2015, Stefanie Martinez tells the story of how she was treated in school due to her clothing: I believe, I was about 12 and I was living in New York City. I was at a conference in the school’s auditorium when a teacher approached to me and said that I had to leave the room because I was wearing a tank top and that was not allowed.

Every year there is a new debate going on in the public schools about whether or not school uniforms are necessary. Some parents think that school uniforms should be enforced, as they feel it brings structure, safety, modesty and a lack of ridicule to our children. On the other hand, there are parents that argue that it takes away a child’s freedom of expression, independence, free spirit and individuality. Both of these arguments are valid, I hope to help give some insight into this subject, so that you can gather current and valid information. In President Clinton’s State of the Union Address, he told the nation, “If it means our teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, and then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.” (Brunsma, Rockquemore).

In fact, in a survey conducted during a JEA/NSPA Fall 2014 Convention, approximately eight percent of student media advisors have been threatened by school officials to be fired based on topics covered by their students. Another eighteen percent were told not to publish an article because a school official objected. By striking fear in teachers, school boards are able to control what is spoken throughout the school and are therefore a main reason for the unprepared students leaving high school and heading off into the real world. Aside from school boards, parents are also allowing for such ignorance. Sixty percent of curriculum/book challenges are headed by parents, under the pretenses of being sexually explicit, promoting homosexuality, and anti-family sentiments (NCAC, 2012).

The papers editor, Matthew Coker, and two others were sent In-school suspension notices for violating “school procedures” by handing out fliers without telling a teacher. The students were trying to get support from the school after Superintendent Neil Nuttall forced the school principle to reinstate the administrative review of the paper. The students believed that it was due to the December issue that contained a story on the Cancellation of a Attendance monitoring program and a ban on teachers wearing bleu jeans. Coker stated that “...because of certain stories that no one thought were inappropriate except Nuttall, he’s forcing us back to prior review.” In April of 2003 four high School Seniors decided to sue their school district for violating the First Amendment. Since 1988’s Hazelwood v. Kuhimeier school officials have had a lot of freedom to censor student publications as they see fit.

The media may have started a battle against the taboo with stars admitting to problems, in most schools in America silence wrings through the halls about mental health. School should be the first place to start informing students that they could be at risk of a serious problem that could affect them the rest of their life. Research done by the University Mental Health Advisers Network showed that ‘half of all lifetime mental disorders start by the mid-teens and three quarters by the mid 20s” (Time). Avoiding mental health and not informing students of the possibility only puts them at a disadvantage for the rest of their lives. Furthermore, phrases that stigmatize mental health are commonly used, but no one realizes the effect they have on people suffering from problems.

After returning to school each year, each student is given a handbook. This book contains a dress code that explains what is appropriate or inappropriate in school. However, many students do not even take a second glance at it once they receive it. These students also end up breaking the dress code, distracting others, and getting themselves into trouble as well. School is an academic facility, not a fashion scene.

Eventually a petition was signed by over 500 parents of the school, saying they wanted “decency and excellence” in the classroom. With this, the school board unanimously voted to terminate Evans-Marshall’s contract. Evans-Marshall filed against the school board saying that they interfered with her First Amendment rights (Lampe, 2010: Pg.1). In this case, the Sixth Circuit court of Ohio sided with the school board of Tipp City Exempted Village School District. This decision was ma... ... middle of paper ... ...o-select-books-and-methods-i Legal Clips » High school teacher does not have First Amendment right to make in-class curricular decisions regarding selection of books and methods of instruction.

Teen violence has reached its peak in our schools. Last year, numerous killings took place at schools around the country, largely due to taunting amongst the students. Uniforms would prohibit the wearing of chains, large pockets for hiding weapons, and gang colors worn to incite fights. Less students would be teased for their attire, and sexual harassment caused by provocative clothing would come to an end. Our schools would provide a more secure environment in which we all could learn.