Anna Miller, Kennedy Rowley, Riya Shah, & Ainsley Sutter
eSomethin Staff
Conversations around Perrysburg High School’s dress code are buzzing, and the new violation reporting policy is to blame.
Janice Ray, PHS’ Dean of Students, explained that the dress code “has been the same dress code that has been in place… I believe that it has pretty much not been altered except for the bookbags.”
The written dress code has not been changed but the way potential violations are being reported has.
This year, teachers anonymously fill out a Google form when they notice an indecent outfit. Ray then seeks out the student and has a conversation with them. The conversation results in a potential dress code violation or a warning for the first offense.
To help standardize dress code enforcement, teachers attended a training prior to the start of the school year.
The new reporting procedure, using the Google form, was implemented in hopes that teachers would not have to interrupt class or confront students personally. The new procedure allows teachers to anonymously submit a student’s name on their own time to notify the office without affecting the teacher/student relationship.
The change in reporting dress code violations was made to help teachers have a less confrontational way to report violations, but students’ conversations with their peers continue.
The policy in the student handbook states that outfits, “should be appropriate for a high school educational setting,” which allows some interpretation — determining what is “appropriate for a high school educational setting” varies from person to person. Questionable outfits are still supposed to be reported by teachers, and the decision whether to punish or not is ultimately up to the administration. To assist in these decisions, teachers should reference their training on what violates the dress code specifically for questionable/borderline situations.
The listed specifics are that, “Micro mini skirts and short shorts are not permitted along with midriff tops. Shirts/tops should not be low cut or revealing. Tops should have a sleeve or wide strap at the shoulder. Pants or jeans should be worn at the waist without sagging. No undergarments should show at any time.” These are the current written guidelines in the PHS student handbook.
Ray elaborated on the reasoning behind the change to the reporting method, and said that she wanted to, “streamline [the process] a little bit so that you do not have 20 different people giving you 20 different opinions on what’s appropriate.”
While the text of the dress code itself has not been altered, students still feel very opinionated about what the administration says they are allowed to wear. With teachers having a new way to report violations, a higher number of them have been reported, Ray said 40+ already this school year.
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