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Teenage dress is wearing thin
Oregon high school reconsiders its dress code
Wednesday, November 17, 1999
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASHLAND, Ore. -- Peek-a-boo fashions at Ashland High School may be getting out of control, the administration believes -- so much so that one assistant principal has stocked extra T-shirts to cover underclad girls.
"Things you can see through or don't leave much to the imagination -- that's been the greatest concern among teachers and even kids," said Principal Julie Reynolds.
"One student told me, 'I don't know where to look when I'm working with my lab partner. At the ceiling?'"
Teachers -- uneasy with revealing tube tops and fashionable short skirts -- have started sending girls to the office at the rate of about one a week.
To avoid embarrassment for all, the school is considering toughening up its dress code.
The code already bans clothing that carries alcohol, drug or tobacco symbols and wearing underwear as outerwear.
But it could also prohibit "revealing clothing" and list steps teachers could take if they are uncomfortable with students' attire.
Around Ashland High's campus, the thought of a stricter dress code got mixed reaction.
"I want to wear what I want to wear," said sophomore Jenny Pokorny. "A dress code . . . crimps my style."
One of Pokorny's friends was sent to the administration office recently because her black bra showed through her white shirt.
"They made her go home and change -- I thought it was stupid," Pokorny said. "If their parents let them out of the house like that, I don't see it's the school's job to make them change."
Principal Reynolds said she hopes student comments and forums will give the administration ideas about where to draw the line.
"We want the kids to tell us what's reasonable and fair," she said. "And still maintain style and individuality and the fashions of the times."
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