The bans quickly provoked a backlash from parents, students and others who saw the policy as unnecessarily restrictive, prompting a high school student to create a petition to “fight unreasonable changes in dress code” announced by the independent school district of Forney (FISD). The policy, which applies to all 18 FISD schools, prohibits clothing such as hoods, coats and jackets with hoods inside the school, and also prohibits students in fifth grade and above from wearing dresses, skirts or shirts.
The dress code also requires students to wear solid color shirts and pants, shorts or capri pants in navy blue, black or khaki. Among the things the dress code forbids are demin pants, sleeveless shirts, T-shirts, overalls or clothes with holes.
The district stressed in its policy change statement that the change aims to prepare students for entry into the workplace. The policy is also said to give FISD a “positive and distinctive identity” and reflect “the values of schools and the community,” according to a statement and video released by the county.
The video announcement, published by FISD, sets out the district’s motives behind the new policy and includes a student voice.
“I may be a little young to understand what professionalism means right now, but the skills I’m learning are an essential part of success in my future career,” says the student. “Every profession has a dress code, whether it’s scrubs, a welding helmet or a chef’s apron. The way I dress plays an important role in professionalism and safety, both in the classroom and in the workplace.”
If a student violates the dress code, he will be “given the opportunity to correct the problem at school,” the policy said. If the violation is not corrected, the student can be removed from school until the violation is eliminated or until a parent or other adult brings the child different clothing that meets the rules, it says.
The new policy change has met with resistance and criticism from residents who disagree with the area’s bans and motives, including parents Amy and Derrick Holaman, whose children attend FISD schools. The couple told the CNN WFAA affiliate that they doubted the restriction would help students.
“A young lady should be able to choose what to wear,” Derrick Holaman told the WFAA. “They shouldn’t be forced to wear pants.”
One of their daughters, Forni Brooklyn Holaman, a high school student, began a petition against the new dress code, arguing that the policy was “completely wrong” and “unfair.” The petition has collected more than 3,500 signatures as of Friday, although it is unclear whether all signatures are from people in the area.
“There are so many important future workforce skills we want to pass on to our children as they set out to have a successful future,” FISD superintendent Justin Terry said in the announcement video, listing characteristics including creativity, collaboration and “Basic employment skills” such as being on time for work, communicating positively with colleagues and following the employer’s expectations.
The dress code is designed to “improve students’ self-esteem, overcome socio-economic disparities between students and promote positive behavior, thus increasing safety in school and improving the learning environment,” the FISD said in a statement.
Add Comment