WATCH: Lakewood Girls Look to Change School Dress Code

A.C. Smith January 8, 2013 at 01:49 pm

Is there a reason these students can't follow the rules? The length of the skirts is not unreasonable and they wouldn't be sent home on a daily basis if they just followed the rules. Why are the parents not backing this? This policy has been in place since my daughter was there almost 6 years ago and I'm sure well before then. These students are going to SCHOOL, not to a club or a party. Parents need to support the school and start taking a more active role as PARENT and not friend. We'd probably see a lot less problems!

Tate Davidson January 8, 2013 at 02:50 pm

I appreciate the initiative of students who want to make a difference. But of all things, is wearing short skirts a high priority?
As A.C. said, parents can take a better roll than saying "she's wearing a cute outfit - she should be able to wear it". How about "I appreciate your energy and desire to make a difference - Let's address the issue of healthful, tasty food in the lunch-room; or getting rid of the soda machines; or stopping bullying; or creating a more secure environment for everyone; or getting better arts and phys-ed programs; or involving the school with local residents and businesses to make a difference". The fact that this is a Patch article actually irritates me a bit. We have the NRA wanting to outfit our schools with armed guards and our students more concerned about wearing sexy outfits? REALLY? I think having a non-sexual dress code sets a good example for parents. Maybe the mom in the video could consider "hmmm, maybe my daughter should be more concerned about getting good grades than wearing short skirts and having visible piercings". I would love to see Patch publish more efforts from students REALLY trying to make a difference for the better.

Jayandreani January 8, 2013 at 03:10 pm

First of all as a student who worked last year to get the dress code changed i am glad to see this article. Also I don't believe that any issue students bring up should be stifled, and I think that the argument that gun control is a bigger issue does not Mean that high schoolers are not worried about important issues. I'm glad they are working to try to change the dress code, it shows an initiative that is sadly lacking in politics. As to why they are focusing on these, I think it does affect grades when our school is sending students home because they don't follow the same moral code for clothing as the 40-60 year olds who made the rules. I hope that these students have their voices heard! Patch, keep the articles coming!
Jay andreani Freshman - Michigan State University Lakewood High SChool Alum class of 2012

Tate Davidson January 8, 2013 at 03:39 pm

Jay, I agree that adults at the school should follow the same code. That didn't occur to me. But if it is not the case, I would argue that their rules should be the same. So in my opinion no teachers, administration or custodial staff should have short skirts or hoodies.
That wasn't the message I got from this article though. The message I got was that these girls have short skirts and other outfits they want to wear but are not allowed to because of school rules. And they are losing valuable learning time due to being sent home when they do so. So much for "learning" the rules. I'm curious, do you feel there should be ANY restrictions? And if so, what should they be?

B Krane January 8, 2013 at 04:04 pm

This is such a tough situation! I see both sides equally. I applaud the students for standing up, but I also see that kids can get pretty carried away dressing inappropriately. It's almost an apples-oranges conversation - as if there's no right answer. Of course these kids can wear whatever they want when they leave school.
The only problem I have with the hoodies is regarding security. Hoodies are not at all offensive, but we do need to know who is walking the hallways with our kids.

Tom Ross January 8, 2013 at 04:34 pm

I really do not understand the hoodie ban. Maybe I am missing something. It gets pretty cold in the winter so there is the warmth issue, you can tell them they can't have the hoods on their head in school. I work in a Las Vegas casino and we don't let people wear their hoods up in the casino. I went to LHS many years ago.

M Noe January 8, 2013 at 05:05 pm

B, I agree with you in that I can see both sides of the argument. My problem is not with the students trying to get the rules changed, I applaud them for their efforts, but that they are complaining that having to go home to change takes away from learning. Even if you don't agree with the current rules, as a student, you are still required to follow them. But at the same time, continue to try to get them changed.
LHS class of 1983

Pete Nice January 8, 2013 at 05:17 pm

I wore a hoodie at lhs (GASP) every day during the winter months, and i not only graduated but school did not come to a grinding halt either.

tkent January 8, 2013 at 06:57 pm

It's incredible that this issue gets so much attention. This is hitting the bullseye of the wrong target. Our children are in school to LEARN, INCREASE KNOWLEDGE, and INCREASE THEIR VALUE TO THEMSELVES AND TO SOCIETY. Contrary to popular belief, school is actually NOT mainly a forum for socializing, nor a fashion show (sorry, kids). When the BOE, parents, and especially, the students get this figured out, we will ALL be better off. Graduating intelligent, well-rounded seniors is the major thing - the MAIN focus; if they worried as much about increasing their value to society as they worry about their clothes, what they look like, and who's "cool," we'll produce higher quality graduates. Major time on major things, minor time on minor things. Parents and students - take heed and succeed.

Susan Kaminski January 8, 2013 at 08:18 pm

Tom,
I wondered the same thing when my kids attended LHS. It's a security issue, if students (or anyone) has a hood up, it's difficult to determine who it is. When I walk in my bank branch there's a sign no sunglasses/hats/hoods.

Susan Kaminski January 8, 2013 at 08:20 pm

Can this also be a generational thing? When I was in school, hemlines were an issue with the dress code, as well as no skin showing between a shirt and pants. The hoodie issue I understand.

Barbara Greene January 8, 2013 at 09:07 pm

You can dress any way you want, OUTSIDE of school. Keep the dress code, and educate the students on how they'll have to dress to get a job. And girls, put all that energy into something that matters; think how much good you could do!

K M Smith January 8, 2013 at 09:43 pm

I'm a strong believer in not having arbitrary rules regarding dress code. All it does is pit one group against another.
I get the hemlines/minimum shorts lengths because this can serve as a distraction on all sides. Just above the knee seems a little harsh, but I get limiting how short is too short. I don't, however, get the other two bans that were mentioned. If having a hood up is a security issue, then no hoods up at school. Plenty of people wore hooded sweatshirts when we were in school and it wasn't a big deal. As for piercings... why not? You either go all the way with these sorts of things by instituting district wide uniforms (which I do support because then there are no arguments and fewer issues over all) or you acknowledge that styles come and go and are basically harmless. Lakewood High Grad 1997

Emily M January 9, 2013 at 12:13 am

Hi I'm Emily and I am one of those girls in this video. I am a straight A student and have been for 3 years in advanced classes therefore studies don't have anything to do with what you wear. My mother is my friend and you should be able to express yourself without being harassed.

Georgia Cole January 9, 2013 at 12:26 am

It isn't "sexy outfits" that students are sent home for (yes, some students do wear inappropriate clothes). I've been sent home for wearing skirts that I thought were appropriate, that'd I'd worn many times before. The dress code states "slightly above the knee", what does that mean? The grey area would be okay if there were warnings, but I had to wait for my mom to leave work to pick me up (I live a 45-60 minute walk from school) for wearing a skirt I wear ALL the time. We don't have soda in vending machines, only water and maybe juice. Our art and music programs are great, we have art levels 1-4, and different art electives such as ceramics and photography. We have three concert bands, two jazz bands, pep band, marching band, four (I believe) orchestras, The Lakewood Project (rock orchestra), many choirs, a drama class and club. Bullying isn't a big issue at Lakewood, and there are two or more popular clubs dedicated to service work (key club and H2O). Those aren't issues in the school, one of the issues is the dress code. People miss class because of it, which can have a big impact on grades.

yea yea January 9, 2013 at 12:32 am

I know everyone in this video personally and I have been a family friend for years. Everyone in this video makes good grades and I don't think that it's your place to pass judgement on an amazing mother AND friend to her children. Maybe you want your children to live in fear of you but these girls have one of the healthiest relationships with their mother I have ever seen, not that it's your business. That being said, the dress code at Lakewood is VERY strict. I went to Rocky River and we had a much less restrictive dress code which did NOT interfere with our studies. How many high school girls do you know who wear their clothes right above their knees? I know I don't OWN any shorts or dresses that are that long. I had colored hair all through middle and high school as well as facial piercings and it didn't effect anyone else's ability to learn. I believe that self expression through appearance is very important.

Liz Tracey January 9, 2013 at 01:21 am

Good for the students for standing up for what they believe and trying to improve a place where they spend a great deal of time and hopefully will leave better than they entered.
How can we as adults begrudge young people who take an active interest in their surroundings and put time, energy and effort into organizing? So many youth seem "apathetic" to older people -- isn't this a counterexample to that common complaint? Experience gained in activism in high school translates into informed and active adults, better citizens and a better world for us all. Keep it up, and don't let the fogies get you down.

Colin McEwen (Editor) January 9, 2013 at 03:06 am

Emily is right on. It should be noted that these girls are all good students.

Tate Davidson January 9, 2013 at 01:19 pm

Georgia, thanks for the response.
I have to say I really appreciate getting more details on the story. And I appreciate people trying to make a difference and question authority. I have done that since I can remember and I would expect my two daughters to do the same. I think a clear dress code is important and I hope that is what results from this. It is possible that we are not giving these girls enough credit. I think that in cases like this, maybe it will distill down to "We need a more clear dress code that allows students to respectfully express themselves". In regard to hoodies, I think that was done more for the comfort of adult employees at the school.

Tate Davidson January 9, 2013 at 01:41 pm

I think the lack of details in this article may be leading to some of the vastly different responses to this. I appreciate some of the clarification on the part of the people who have commented.
Q: Are the girls simply looking for clarification on the skirt rule or are they looking to remove the rule altogether? The article seems to be an appeal to "let us wear our new outfits!" which is different than "the rules are unclear and they need revision".

M-F Schreiber January 9, 2013 at 05:54 pm

I challenge all parties concerned to find a skirt slightly above the knee in today's fashion magazines and/or stores that targets teenagers and young adults. The issue here is the amount of energy devouted to policing this dress code in middle school as well as high school. There is also a double standard. What's good for one goose isn't necessarily good for the next goose! I've witnessed girls at school wearing short and revealing dresses and/or skirts as well as shorty shorts, yet they aren't sent home, but my daughter because her bermuda shorts weren't one inch above the knee was sent to her house office. Oh, and how about wearing three shirts to downplay a pronounced chest and still being sent to the house office for inappropriate dress code. It's important to keep kids in school and promote learning, not disrupt their day with dress code violations. I recently heard they aren't allowed to wear caps either. How is one supposed to keep his/her head warm during the winter months? Personnally, I have instructed my kids to wear jeans and t-shirts to school and remove their hoodie prior to stepping on school grounds so as to avoid any disruption in their school day. They can let it all hang out once they get home!