Technolandy

Day 10 (of 2024/25) Dress codes (again) and why I’m wearing black, a hoodie, and crocs…

Crocs aren’t the only thing being frowned upon. Bessemer City High School also banned hoodies, headbands, and pajama pants. At other schools, such as Charles Middle School in El Paso, Texas, students are discouraged from wearing all-black clothing due to its association with depression and other mental health issues, as well as criminality. From https://apple.news/ATYk9t83PR1qazkUm3dvlZQ or https://www.parents.com/why-are-crocs-being-banned-in-schools-8709484

And of course we can talk about how gender frequently divides dress codes (if girl outfits are distracting boys, that a boy issue… or we triple down on just banning distractions ) as we saw in Montreal: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/montreal-area-high-school-students-protest-sexist-dress-code-1.6898023

Even the long tradition of school uniforms are being reflected on… ‘badges of honour?’ Or… https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/12/snp-blazer-ban-shows-nationalists-want-to-wage-class-war/

Now, as a principal, I live in a world of contradictions – frequently wearing a tie (and a bow for #bowtietuesday) that get compliments… both from students who like to see my varied choices, as well as older members of our community who like to see ‘the tradition’… again, a repetition of my father – wearing ties as a ‘thing’ – especially ones that had secret meanings… 😇 and a, comfortable embracing unofficial sports jersey Friday outfits, and a myriad of other t-shirt shares as well (#nerdyTshirtFriday) 

So today, I am putting aside my usual ‘formal Monday’ attire to support students by wearing:

✔️Black sweat pants (aka pajama pants)

✔️Black hoodie (https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2024/08/23/ypsilanti-community-high-school-dress-code-restrict-hoodies/74902244007/)

✔️A hat – rather than a headband as they are equally frowned upon/banned

✔️A backpack that is not transparent

✔️ sunglasses so you can’t see my eyes (bonus… they’re Bluetooth…

✔️ knee high compression socks

I am glad to see that restrictions on hair are finally being gotten rid of (I only wish I could join and demonstrate a violation…) and fewer gender focused dress code restrictions (shoulders and knees?!? C’mon)

✔️a bonus wearing of an orange shirt… for Phyllis… https://orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story/

✔️ croc-style shoes (with compression socks because: https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/20715545.parents-outrage-burnley-high-school-bans-socks-skirt-wearing-pupils/)

✔️ And of couse my earbuds, smartwatch and calculator (new code word for iPhone)

In the meantime, I hope more take a universal approach to dress codes (as a mentor expressed decades ago, keep it simple: outerwear must cover underwear) https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-dress-code-policy-public-school-students-what-to-know/5748061/

And, many jurisdictions have examples that I don’t disagree with, for instance from one US board: Students won’t be allowed to wear any items that:

• Are pornographic, contain threats, or that promote illegal or violent conduct such as the unlawful use of weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or drug paraphernalia.
• Demonstrate hate speech targeting certain groups based upon certain identities or display hate group affiliation. (Eg https://highergroundtimes.com/higher-ground/2024/jun/10/liam-morrison-eighth-grader-banned-from-wearing-th/)
• Intentionally show private parts. All clothing must ensure undergarments are covered.
• Cover a student’s face so they are not identifiable (except for religious or medical purposes).
• Demonstrate gang affiliation.

And of course I’m also wearing my smartwatch, AirPods and iPhone – because while “banned for distractions” I have a medical reason which makes it important for tracking my heart rate and ecg… doctors can also follow this script for users who have panic attacks due to anxiety that may mask heart attacks. (Could be the new ‘glaucoma’ excise that many used for medical marijuana)