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Dress Code and Electronics |
Many students have had problems with the dress codes at one time or another. Before the school year begins, all students are given a handbook stating the school’s dress and electronics codes according to the California state laws. Though I believe only a handful of us have truly taken the time and effort to read the policies stated in the handbook, most of us know the basic rules. The El Segundo High School 2001-2002 Eagle Handbook reads, “The following guidelines shall apply to all regular school activities:
1. Shoes must be worn at all times.
2. Hats and head coverings (i.e. Bandanas, Scarfs) shall not be worn on campus during school hours.
3. Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times. See-through or fish-net fabrics, halter tops, off-the-shoulder or low-cut tops, bare midriffs and skirts or shorts shorter than mid-thigh are prohibited.”
Just recently, the policy regarding head coverings has been changed due to issues concerning skin cancer. Now students are able to wear hats outdoors as long as the hat has no affiliation to gangs or is inappropriate for school. Other than the regulation concerning hats, all rules must be obeyed. If a student is caught violating the codes, he or she will be sent home.
Electronics are also not permitted on school campus. If a student is caught with a beeper or a cell phone, the object will be confiscated until a parent conference is held.
There should not be so many codes for students to follow. It is understandable that the state of California doesn’t want its youth roaming around its schools looking like those who might be seen on the corner of Hollywood and Vine at 2:00 o’clock in the morning, but so many policies and regulations are absurd. There is no reason as to why students should not be allowed to wear what they want. The fear of gang colors and symbols at schools should not, in any way, interfere with students’ right to express themselves.
It is also understandable that the state doesn’t want classrooms being interrupted by the ring of cell phones and pagers, but banning these items from every school campus is a little much. Instead, cell phones and pagers should be allowed. In case of an emergency, students should be able to call parents and for help. This seems more rational than sequestering them. For example, during the Columbine High School shooting, students were able to call their parents or guardians and tell them what was happening. Students were also able to call the police and ambulance for help as well. During the September 11th incident, some families were able to say goodbye to each other one last time. They would not have been able to do this if it weren’t for cell phones.
Everyone deserves the right to do whatever they feel like doing as long as they do not harm others in any way. After all, the first amendment gave us this right.