Henrico School Board to consider teacher dress code
|
Henrico County teachers may have to watch what they wear to work this fall.
After adopting a countywide dress code for students last month, the School Board now is turning its attention to staff.
Athletic shoes, flip-flops, jeans, tattoos and facial jewelry would be taboo for teachers in most cases under a draft policy to be discussed today at a School Board work session at the Glen Echo Building, 3810 Nine Mile Road.
The board is likely to recommend revisions today based on feedback from an employee survey. The revised policy then will be posted for public comment before the board considers adopting it in August.
Teachers and other staff supported the proposal in a survey from June 24 to July 7. Of more than 6,000 employees contacted, more than 2,000 responded. More than half of the respondents said the draft policy was acceptable.
As drafted, the "Professional Attire Expectations" would require staff to follow the student dress code, which prohibits tight and revealing clothing, among other items.
Other restrictions include a ban on T-shirts or sweatshirts, even on casual Fridays, unless they are school-affiliated.
In other school districts in the Richmond area, the teacher dress code is more general.
Hanover County, for instance, requires attire that reflects the professional position of the employee, is appropriate to the assignment of the employee, and is commonly accepted in the community.
In Richmond, each school is responsible for its own dress code. School officials said they are considering a citywide code.
Kent Willis, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, said Henrico could run into First Amendment issues if it allows some messages but not others on clothing.
"The more difficult issue is the question of how far the government can go to invade the personal space of employees," he said.
Two parents who e-mailed the Richmond Times-Dispatch said they supported a dress code for teachers but not necessarily all the restrictions in the draft.
The mother of a fifth-grader at Trevvett Elementary School, who asked that her name not be used, said "One of my child's teachers had on pants so tight one year for parent/teacher conferences, it left NOTHING to the imagination, and that's a bit extreme to me"
"I do admit, some of our teachers are not properly dressed all the time," wrote Kathleen Sumler, parent of a middle school student. "But to cut out blue jeans and tennis shoes at school is ridiculous. They are dealing with children. Why should they have to dress up?"
Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or
.
Staff writers Juan Antonio Lizama and Jeremy Slayton contributed to this report.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
I could justify a dress code if the county paid enough to actually purchase and or update a professional wardrobe. When my former employers told me I would need to begin to wear professional attire in my self-contained classroom for students with Autism, I actually laughed at them. I informed them that when they started paying me for the clothing that was destroyed on a weekly basis from breaking bites to children urinating and more on them they could tell me what to wear. I didn’t make enough money to replace the ruined clothes, make a house payment and pay bills. I always dressed approrpriately, but wore jeans more frequently as they were more conducive to the environment in which I operated. Most educators are appropriately dressed, let the dress code be enforced by the administrators in the building!
Well said, qhgirl
If the situation is handled on a case by case basis.. the schools may be opening themselves up to litigation. In addition, the resources needed to address case by case situations could become excessive.. Really, the school board has to get involved in EVERY case? They have better things to do..
A reasonable minimum standard of dress that is presented to the teachers as policy.. should give guidelines and eliminate the need for different school officials having to make a lot of judgement calls.
I am not saying that the policy should be no-sneakers.. or no jeans per se.. But basic guidance on appropriate clothing for a teacher shouldn’t be a problem..
I don’t buy the argument that once you are an adult you get to make choices kids don’t… In this situation, these adults are supposed to be mentors and role models to the children.. Displaying respect for their position by dressing in neat, clean and non-revealing clothes shouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately.. sometimes people do need a reminder of what truly is appropriate for a situation.
I think this is ridiculous. Principals need to enforce appropriate attire, not make everyone else suffer because of a few that cannot follow the rules. Teachers are working with children and stand all day, they need to be able to dress comfortably. Casual Fridays are in many work places, and schools should definitely allow it. As long as teachers were appropriate jeans, a school t-shirt or sweatshirt, and nice flip flops (not those cheap rubber ones) then there should not be a problem. Tennis shoes should not be an issue as long as they are nice. Teachers stand all day long and cannot wear heals and not come out with back, knee and feet problems. Teachers should not get punished because of a few who cannot follow the dress code in place currently. Someone should enforce the dress code.
There rea much bigger issues than dress code that the Board should address. Issues with attire or appearance should be handled on a case-by-case basis. The School Board should be more concerned with the degradation of the education system. My kids are in the Henrico school system and for the most part sit bored in their classrooms as the teachers are forced to teach down to the lowest common demoninator.
The question is not whether there should be a dress code or not. The question is why the dress code for both, students and educators, is not being enforced.
I recall being at John Rolfe Middle School and seeing the former Special Ed Director wearing a “hoodie,“ jeans, and flip flops along with a nose ring. It made me feel that she needed more help than the students. I also recall seeing cheerleaders and other young girls with skirts so short, you could see the “smile” on their cheeks..ower cheeks that is. This is a distraction and not acceptable in the school setting.
Very few principals expect a professional appearance or a professional attitude from their teachers and staff. Even fewer are willing to enforce the dress code for students for fear of parent outrage. MALE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS NEED TO PULL THEIR PANTS UP AND WEAR A BELT!! We are doing our children a disservice when we do not create a professional atmosphere full of high expectations in our schools. For the parent that says that it is ok for teachers to dress down because they are working with kids, you have it all wrong.
We should be able to tell the students from the teachers, and the manner in which we dress sends them a message about our expectations of them. I think that uniforms are long overdue in public schools. It would not only create a more conducive learning environment, but it would promote safety, and focus in school, as well as saving money for parents.
Dress makes the student and the teacher.
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement