Colony dress code needs consistency

By Kayla Anderson
Student View
Published on Thursday, November 12, 2009 8:47 PM AKST

Many Colony students believe the school’s dress code to be flawed. To some, the dress policy appears to be unfair, while others perceive it to be inconsistently enforced. However, the administration views the rule as just one more way the Knights have set the standard for their students higher than their fellow high schools.

Colony has been known to have higher expectations for students than other Valley schools. For example, until this year the school did not grade with Ds. Instead, students were asked to pass classes with Cs and higher, teaching students to expect more of themselves and to work harder.

Now Colony has raised the bar for student apparel, expecting Knights not to wear clothes that are too revealing such as shirts showing cleavage or midriff, skirts shorter than 3 inches above the knee and jeans with holes above the knees. Yet, since jeans with the destroyed look are in style and low-cut tops, the school is finding many students are not heeding the rule.

One reason for this is there are still students and parents who think the entire policy is flawed. At the last school board meeting, multiple Colony High parents spoke out about their feelings for the rules, claiming their students did not deserve punishment for clothing they had worn and that at any other Valley school their attire would have been acceptable.

“In no way, shape or form is having holes in your jeans provocative, contrary to the administration’s beliefs,” said sophomore Alley Cummins. “And scarves are not gang-related.”

Yet every day students are asked to remove scarves, headbands and to tape over holes above their knees, something many believe to be a problem. 

“The dress code is faulty. We’re not trying to be revealing when we wear pants with holes or scarves, it’s just the style,” said sophomore Chris Zeigler.

Another reason students believe the code is flawed and do not take it seriously is due to the lack of consistent enforcement.

“I think the fact that they only bust certain people for holes in jeans and not all the rest is not right. They should be more consistent,” said freshman Candice Elrod.

For this reason, it is quite possible students are not meaning to rebel when they violate the code. Instead, they just do not believe they will get caught.

Due to the policy’s lack of consistency, students are able to work around the system, wearing what they like and not being punished, which creates a definite defect within the policy.

“If there’s a dress code, not only should it be fair, but also enforced,” said sophomore Derek Evans. “It is no good if they don’t put it into action.”

Although Colony’s policy is clearly explained in the student handbook, for the dress code to truly be put in place it needs to be put into action. Without facing the proper consequences for their attire, students will not take the policy seriously. In order to maintain the high expectations Colony is after, the dress policy needs to be fair, consistent and — most importantly — enforced.

Kayla Anderson is a sophomore at Colony High School.

Comments

19 comment(s)

    Milly wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:48 PM:

    " I can't believe this article was even published! It appears the Frontiersman has lowered its standards and has gotten involved in High School drama. "

    Matsu Resident wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:45 PM:

    " The quote "Knights have set the standard for their students higher than their fellow high schools" makes the Colony students, faculty and parents appear dilutional and arrogant. The other schools in the Matsu have just as high standards and expect no less of their students. I am disappointed that in order for the author to get her point across she had to speak poorly about other schools and students in our community. However. I'm not surprised! "

    Emily wrote on Nov 19, 2009 10:10 AM:

    " I go to Colony and I must say it is flawed in what way is a hole above the knee provocative? And i have to say to those who think their students arent targeted hope your daughter isnt busty becasue there is a administraitor who everyone who goes here says is a creep. I believe that we should be alowed to dress in clothes in style, granted not hookerish but in style. Colony needs to remember were kids and stop being the police and let the parents decide whats best for their kids and some of us legally are adults. "

    Wasilly does it again wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:30 PM:

    " First off...the parents at this meeting that said that their children's (again...children...meaning minors, who cannot give legal consent to have sex, to have medical procedures, to obtain credit, etc) clothing would be deemed acceptable at other valley schools...these are the people who want to be the 'cool' parents. To every parent who has a teenager...look in their closet. There is NO REASON whatsoever, that a teenage girl should be dressed to look like she's working the street corner. I know, I know...I'm going to get the response "but its what's fashionable" and the like, but seriously. "

    nother student wrote on Nov 18, 2009 8:55 PM:

    " Its not bad having high expectations, but as I do attend CHS I believe administrative staff should control to whom they chose to discourage the attire to. Consistency is the key. GOOD JOB KAYLA! "

    former chs parent wrote on Nov 18, 2009 7:12 PM:

    " My children have already graduated but I feel compelled to tell of my experiences at CHS. The administration and some of the staff feel it their duty to police certain students more frequently than others. I agree with the dress code. The dress code is not the issue, it is a symptom of a larger issue...nepotism, favoritism, judgement, and intolerance of any student who "rocks the boat". Such is life I guess. Maybe when the current principal leaves, things will change. "

    shineamong wrote on Nov 17, 2009 8:25 PM:

    " Kids don't get good grades because they are poor or wealthy-they can become wealthy, though, as a result of having good grades. Stop teaching your kids how to be "victims" and start teaching them (and yourselves) how to be accountable and responsible. My kids get straight A's, and it is all them-if they go below an A-they take it as a personal challenge, and work twice as hard to bring it up. I don't ever have to say anything about bad grades-and we're dirt poor-and blessed because our kids have a real grasp on what is important. "

    same old.... wrote on Nov 17, 2009 7:38 AM:

    " To Colony Parent: I agree with Colony's dress code, however it is no suprise that I can feel the disdain and superiority you feel about our other schools in the valley. My child goes to Wasilla, is a great student AND takes advantage of his ability to choose difficult classes, etc. He also finds girls who wear clothing that is not revealing attractive. Please, please stop thinking that Colony families have cornered the market on smarts and good taste. Your snobbery is sooooo REVEALING. "

    Colony Mom wrote on Nov 16, 2009 2:05 PM:

    " I'm pleased to see students at CHS taking an interest in the political process and applaud them for taking a stand. However, life is not fair. Not everyone gets caught doing the wrong thing at school, at work, in the community, in the world etc. Employers will expect students to adhere to dress codes, performance standards, attendance standards, and a lot of other rules some may consider "unfair." High school is the place to prepare for these future requirements in a safe environment. Thank you CHS administration for maintaining high standards. "

    Tara wrote on Nov 16, 2009 3:19 AM:

    " In my day we had to wear dresses even in the cold winters of Mn. Walking down the 1/2 mile long driveway to the bus stop was freezing. I say keep the high standards they are not in school for the fashion show. "

    Colony Parent wrote on Nov 14, 2009 6:04 PM:

    " I am all for uniforms. Take the style out and get to the real meaning of attending school. If you want to dress like a slob, look more reaving, or feel like "fitting in" then put in for a boundry exemption and go to one of the other schools that will accept that attire. But just remember, you will get their quality of education along with being "in style". Besides, as a parent that pays for the clothes, uniforms might be a lot less expensive that brand name pants, tops, and shoes. "

    offsoapstone wrote on Nov 14, 2009 5:50 PM:

    " When it comes to a dress code or the grading system the administration of the school district should set the code. Rules should be universal at all schools not up to the whim of the schools administration. There is nothing wrong about a dress code for students. The district should lead by example their code should be all male teachers wear a suit and tie at school and female teachers should wear ankle length dress no high heels or excessive makeup. "

    To Misplaced pride wrote on Nov 14, 2009 8:02 AM:

    " What is wrong with having high standards? There are dress codes in the workplace too, no reason that students in a high school shouldn't start somewhere. And being proud of not offering a "D" in the grading system DOES hold them to a higher standard than the other schools as Palmer and Wasilla didn't offer that. No one is "putting down" the other schools for their choice, just that Colony chose to have a stricter system- but don't worry, there are now D's at Colony high, thanks to people like you who settle for barely passing highschool. "

    student wrote on Nov 13, 2009 10:25 PM:

    " Rules should be consistent throughout all the schools in our school district. Its unfair to the students to have different rules at different schools. It also seems like a ridiculous rule to have when there are much bigger problems to be handled. Handing out detentions and suspensions for a small hole in a students pair of jeans makes it feel like the administration is LOOKING for ways to get students in trouble. Is this really what the administrators should be spending their time on? It doesn't seem like this should be a priority. "

    Grandma of a CHS student wrote on Nov 13, 2009 7:03 PM:

    " No wonder someone stood up for their daughter at CHS. Dress codes and grading should be uniform throughout a district. To have one school think and act superior to others is disgusting! Who do the administrators at CHS think they're fooling......they must love to patrol the hallways looking for the offenders...Can't you concentrate on
    academics and encouraging kids by showing them respect? Soon the CHS students will be transferring to Palmer or Wasilla where instead of snobbery they're taught good citizenship and are respected by the staffs! "

    Misplaced Pride wrote on Nov 13, 2009 3:40 PM:

    " This is no such thing. Holding students to a higher standard is hardly "chest thumping". Nothing wrong with having high expectations for them and showing that their high school will SET the standard, rather than follow in the footsteps of others. The mention of parents incomes show where YOUR insecurities lie, we'll stick to the dress code. Thanks. "

    misplaced pride wrote on Nov 13, 2009 12:32 PM:

    " Fine to feel good about yourselves and yell, 'We're number one', it is another to proclaim that your standards are higher than others. Excuse me if I fail to stop laughing when 'dress codes and no D's' are the source of your pride and 'put downs' of other schools and people make you feel good about yourself. Given that CHS students come from the 'lake district' where family income is three times higher than Palmer and Wasilla families, might be time to show some humility and stop the chest thumping at CHS. "

    Bravo Kayla wrote on Nov 13, 2009 7:17 AM:

    " It was an embarrassment to listen to the school board meeting and hear a Mat-Su district PRINCIPAL defend her daughter's clothing and be upset over the punishment of detention- while stating that OTHER schools accept this or that... Colony does not discriminate based on WHO the child is, they stick to the higher ground of dress code. Keep it up Knights Administration- there are parents behind you and we appreciate you efforts. "

    Active Colony Parent wrote on Nov 13, 2009 6:46 AM:

    " The system is not flawed. I wish myself and the many many parents who support administrations enforcement of the dress code had known about the students gathering to speak against it at the School Board Meeting. We could have brought hundreds who support it. As with any "law" you will not ever be able to catch and prosecute ALL offenders, if in the students minds this makes it all right to break the rule (because they may get away with it), their own moral integrity is flawed at best. Colony keep your standartds high! #1 "

WRITE A COMMENT

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.

Comments must be approved by an editor before appearing on the Web site. Editors review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

(optional)
Current Word Count:
   




Classifieds




Make Us Your Homepage