Yes, the dreaded dress code. No one likes it... parents, students, teachers and even administrators all wince when you even bring it up.
At our school, we have a great dress code. Our boys look very grown up with their shirts tucked in and their pants belted around their waists as opposed to sagging to around their knees. Our girls can wear the long bermuda shorts, but nothing shorter. Everyone looks so nice and tailored because they all have to have either a spirit shirt, a collegiate shirt (not jersey), an unmarked shirt or a collared shirt. The girls are not allowed to wear v necks of any kind or strapless unless there is a little white tee or something underneath. It is WONDERFUL!
But of course, there is a little work that goes along with it. This work includes stopping the pace of my class to make sure this kid has tied his laces or send that one down to the office because he has spikes on his bracelet. It is SO MUCH WORK I can't even stand it. The sad thing is. the kids are just trying to get away with it all, but it is my job as the teacher and staff member to call them on it.
Today we talked about this issue for a while because there is a new rule about ID badges and wearing them. The kids of course think they are ugly, annoying and on and on. Well, they have started handing out detentions during lunch, after school and even ISS for those kids who refuse. I think its crazy! Just one more thing to add to the list. Forget Blooms taxonomy... I just need to know if you are dressed appropriately to be at school in the first place. AHHHHH!!
I know its something we need to be safe in school and have a safe campus for our students to be able to learn but doesn't there have to be a line drawn somewhere?! And, I'm not sure we've completely crossed the line yet, but it irks me to enforce something and go on and on about this issue when I just wish these kids would dress reasonably and wear their badges. The part they don't get is that we have to do it too. Already this year I have had to go back to my car 4 times to get my badge... ridiculous I know... but still, I did it and I sighed about it and then I was done. I moved on and had a great day.
These kids just can't get over the dress code and all the "strict" rules. So we spend more time focused on that and no time can be spent learning chemistry or getting to know our class pets or reviewing for the TAKS or doing warmups and cool downs or... ok, you get the picture. I only have 45 minutes each period and when 15 minutes are eaten up with things I have to do before I can even start the class... we will get so far behind we won't even be able to catch up!
Now, I really do think dress codes make all the difference in the world... I just wish someone could come up with a machine or something that scans each kid when they walk in to make sure they have it all together instead of me being to one who has to be rough and tough about it all.
Here is a pretty cool video if you haven't seen it before. Scary, but if this can happen with one untucked shirt... then the possibilities are uncomfortably endless. -coach b
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
you are correct...dress codes do make a difference...it is a nice atmosphere when students are dressed neatly.
but you are also right when you say keeping them compliant is a pain in the butt...I think you have given them their opportunity to vent...and now they should just GOI and move on (get over it!)
not easy, but it sounds like you have made some good connections with your students so use those to get them off this topic...and back to what is important!
remind those who think the name tags are ugly...so, big deal, we are ALL wearing them!!
remind them...10 years from now is it gonna matter that you had to wear a name tag...long shorts...tucked in shirts...
BUT is it gonna matter that you know some science, how to take care of yourself, how to take care of the earth....in 10 years...
I hate dress codes. I am totally a dress code rebeller. I am supposed to wear my badge at all times. I never wear it except when I am on OTHER campuses. I am not supposed to wear flip flops. I still wear them. I am not supposed to wear shorts. I wear the nice, tailored, LONG bermudas, but shorts they are. Until someone comes up to me and specifically says, "Library Girl, if you wear flip flops again, we're putting a violation note in your file", I will continue to wear them. However, I'm elementary, and we are less strict that way. Could you keep your badge in your room and put it on there each morning? Just a suggestion! Oh, or could you go tell them you lost your badge, go get another one, and keep one in your room and one in your car?! How 'bout them apples?! ;)
Post a Comment