*If this is in the wrong forum please move it for me. I wasn't sure where would be the best place for it. Thanks*
I need everyones' help with something that is very important to me. My school is having some issues with our dress code right now. This is a subject that I'm very passionate about, and I want to write a letter to the administration and staff of the school to respectfully tell them my opinion. Because I'm so passionate about this subject I'm afraid it will sound whiny or, excuse the language, b*tchy. I don't want it to be either of those things.
Allow me to explain the situation...
These are the "official" rules for the dress code in our school:
SCHOOL POLICY/REGULATION Students are expected to dress appropriately to maintain student safety, prevent learning distractions and encourage a high quality learning environment. This pertains to all school activities. 19 Students may wear clothing of personal choice, EXCEPT: 1. Clothing or accessories that disrupts the learning process 2. Clothing or accessories that constitutes a health or safety hazard to any person, school property, or class or activity 3. Clothing or accessories which makes reference to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, illegal items, indecent graphics or any sexual innuendo explicit or inferred, or violates accepted standards of propriety and decency 4. Caps, hats, hoods, sun glasses, outside wear, jackets, coats, bandannas, chains of any kind, back packs 5. Soiled, ripped, or bloody clothing 6. Clothing, graphics, statements, or accessories (insignias, buttons) that are derogatory or racially motivated 7. Backless tops, halter tops, strapless tops, tube tops, sports bra’s and clothing with bare midriffs, backs and underarms (clothing should always completely cover the torso from above chest cleavage to mid-thigh) 8 . Gang-affiliated colors, symbols, jewelry, dress or identification 9. Students must wear footwear and the shoes must be non-marking. 10. Shorts must be of appropriate length. 11. Undergarments must be worn and shall not be visible Some classes (shops, labs, PE) may have additional rules governing dress or grooming. Failure to follow school rules is a disciplinary issue. Wisconsin Statutes 120.13 Board of Education Policy JFC
I agree with this. However, girls have been abusing the dress code lately. They wear short shirts that aren't within the guidelines, then when they are caught they put a sweater on over top and take it off again when no teachers are looking. I agree, they shouldn't be doing this. So now when girls wear sweaters over another shirt the teachers or administration checks the shirt underneath the sweater to make sure it is proper length, even though the sweater itself is appropriate. I disagree with this because sometimes when I want to wear a shirt that I know is a little bit too short but otherwise appropriate, I will wear a zip-up sweater over the top so you cannot see my stomach but you can still see the front of the shirt. Now, this is supposedly against the rules, even though it is not in the handbook rules above. Another problem I have is that it is not specified above how long shorts or skirts have to be. The general rule of thumb is it has to be longer than the edge of your fingertips when standing up straight. I think this rule or a more specific rule should be listed in the handbook.
I'm not really asking for opinions, more help on respectfully expressing my opinion to them.
Doesn’t sound bitchy however sounds somewhat juvenile for a letter to the school administration. If you want it to be slightly more tactful and potent, how about ending with something like, 'I understand the need for decency, probably some more specifity in the regulations would help us to comply with the expected standards.' And maybe you can also begin with something like that, or with "I agree to most of the school policies pertaining to dress codes. However,…"
Do you wish it to be more formal? Then modify some of the language used, for ex, "so you cannot see my stomach but you can still see the front of the shirt" -such that the front of the shirt is visible however the stomach is covered; Also, replace most third-person references from “you” to “one”. & Now, this is supposedly against the rules, even though it is not in the handbook rules above. Another problem -b/w these two sentences insert something like, 'An amendment of the policy might help to clarify the guidelines.'
Hey Meg, hope you and Bobby are well
---- "My mother and father desired a child and they begot me. And I wanted a mother and a father and I begot night and the sea." -Kahlil Gibran, "Sand and foam"
[This message was edited by LetswriteNshare on 10-04-04 at 02:46 AM.]
Posts: 4372 | Location: Back At Quoteland :) | Registered: 08-18-02
Oh, I hope you didn't think that that was my letter! That was just me explaining it to you. I haven't started the letter yet because I don't even know how to start, but some of the things you said will help a lot. Thanks!
Meg, when you have a draft of the letter you can post it in the workshop. Once it's in letter form I'll be able to help. And others may as well.
It was much easier to wear a uniform everyday.
"I'm telling you. People come and go in this Forest, and they say, 'It's only Eeyore, so it doesn't count.' They walk to and fro saying, 'Ha ha!' But do they know anything about A? They don't. It's just three sticks to them. But to the Educated - mark this, little Piglet- to the Educated, not meaning Poohs and Piglets, it's a great and glorious A."--Eeyore, The House at Pooh Corner
This is what I came up with. I used a lot of LWAS's suggestions. I'll post it in the workshop. I think I still need a lot of help. I really want it to sound professional.
To the Staff and Administration:
I agree with most of the policies pertaining to dress codes. However, some girls have been abusing the dress code lately. It is to my understanding that they wear inappropriate shirts and, when confronted by a teacher, put on a sweater, just to remove the sweater when that teacher is not present. This has resulted in the administration and staff checking the length of shirts underneath sweaters. I was once told that rules are for the rule-breakers, but this rule also affects those of us who work to comply with the rules. For instance, I will deliberately wear a zip-up sweater over top a short shirt, such that the front of the shirt is visible however the stomach is covered. Different action should be taken to deal with the rule-breakers and not punish those who follow the rules.
Also, it is not specified in the handbook what the appropriate length of shorts or skirts is according to school rules. The general rule of thumb is that it has to be longer than the edge of your fingertips when standing up straight. An amendment of the policy might help to clarify the guidelines.
I understand the need for decency; probably some more specifity in the regulations would help us to comply with the expected standards.
