Henrico School Board seeks more leeway in proposed dress code for staff
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Henrico County teachers may be able to wear jeans and sneakers next year after all.
The Henrico School Board reviewed a proposed dress code for employees, including teachers, yesterday and directed staff to build in a little more leeway for elementary school teachers and casual or school spirit days.
The original proposal had banned jeans and athletic shoes unless needed for job requirements.
Board member Linda McBride noted that teachers are on their feet six to eight hours a day and that elementary school teachers have outdoor recess as well as indoor time.
"I cannot see telling our teachers that at no time can they wear athletic shoes," she said.
"Our teachers are on their feet on hard floors. Anybody's feet are going to hurt" if they have to wear dressy heels all day on hard floors, she said. As for jeans on casual Fridays, "I see nothing wrong with that," she said.
She also requested flexibility on T-shirts to allow more than school-related slogans on casual days, recalling a "well-loved teacher" who would motivate high school students by wearing T-shirts from colleges attended by graduates.
At the elementary level, the policy needs to accommodate things such as Dr. Seuss day, pajama days, and slipper days, "all sorts of special days they participate in. I would hate to think that anything we write here would take that away from them," McBride said.
Board member Lamont Bagby, who argued that orthopedic shoes are more appropriate for staff than athletic shoes, nevertheless urged that principals have the ability to make exceptions for things such as spirit days.
School staff will revise the proposed dress code and post it online for comment. The board will consider adoption Aug. 13.
Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or
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Reader Reactions
With all of the things befalling education recently, this is really just another way to show that school boards really do not have their pulse on how best to serve their employees by allowing them to do their jobs with minimal distraction and interference. The more they try to meddle unnecessarily in the hard work that teachers do, the more resentful and distrusting the teachers become, which leads to good teachers leaving jobs where they are most needed, which leads to lower test scores and higher dropout rates. Will they ever learn? Since this issue is what is taking up the time of the board, instead of how best to serve their employees and get them the resources they need, the answer is clearly NO. Leave us alone and let us do our jobs.
Uniforms for all- students and teachers.
It’s cheaper, easier, and eliminates the distractions.
annieb- I may be old to some, but then again I graduated HS in the late ‘80s, so you have me beat there. Times have changed and I don’t think anyone, even an NEA spokesman (excuse me, spokesPERSON) can honestly say that public education has become more effective in the last 30 years…the reverse is true.
Further, I’d hold by the very fact that this issue has come up that “Hopefully a school system would hire reasonable adults who have enough common sense to dress themselves in an appropriate manner” doesn’t cut it…obviously there are those who feel that teaching does not involve setting a good personal example for students on professional behavior…
I ask this. If “Times change” is the answer, should teachers teach in street slang? Fo’ shizzel, I think not. A student has a much better chance of getting a job or go to college when they know how to speak, act and dress properly in a business environment. I can’t imagine these frumpy teachers showing up for their job interview dressed in tennies and T-shirt…why do students deserve less?
vmiwarrior, I think you are just an old fuddy duddy. I graduated high school in the seventies so I’m old, too—in fact, I remember it was big news when the female students were allowed to finally wear pants to school instead of skirts, and all the commotion that caused. Times change, styles change, and I’ll bet you probably still curse the day female cadets came to VMI. You remind me of my stepmother, who used to substitute teach in a stupid lace collar polyester dress, gross suntan pantyhose and orthopedic shoes with a hole in them, and then looked down her nose at the teachers wearing jeans because of how “terrible” they looked. Hopefully a school system would hire reasonable adults who have enough common sense to dress themselves in an appropriate manner.
As a former teacher myself, I would agree with another post froma few days ago that many teachers now days feel cargo capri pants and colored T-shirts are appropriate for a professional environment. I disagree. I was usually the only teacher wearing a shirt, sport jacket and tie (and slacks-wearing the prior with jeans isn’t professional either, its ‘60s counter-culture).
Teachers expect professional salaries and expect professional treatment. As taxpayers and “consumers” of teachers we should expect professional behavior and decorum. Dressing well falls into that.
Teachers today do a whole lot more standing and moving around than they did in the past. It would be surprising to walk into an elementary school classroom and see a teacher sitting at her desk. Actually, I sit at my desk right before school starts and then not again until the kids leave. That would equal over 6 hours without sitting down for more than a few minutes at a time. I do not personally wear sneakers to school on a regular basis, but I can certainly see how it would help. Potentially, I wouldn’t be 30 years old with knee problems. When I do sit down, it is usually on the floor next to a student to show them how to play a game or to sit and listen to them read. I take my kids outside for 30 minutes a day in the very hot and the very cold. Sometimes, they need an adult to help roll the ball during kickball or turn the rope during jump rope. A suit and heels would hardly be appropriate. As far as jeans, MOST professional businesses allow their employees to wear nice jeans on Friday. I don’t see why schools should be any different. If a teacher is wearing dirty, ripped, or low-rider jeans then the principal needs to address it. I can’t see any reason why nice jeans and a school(or school related) shirt on Friday should be outlawed. It seems that the general public is thinking that teachers are trying to come to school everyday dressed like a bum. That is not what this is about. We’d like to be treated fairly and we’d like the people in central office who created this policy to remember what it was like to be in the classroom (if they’ve ever even been there.)
lesti.. we trust police officers and they are expected to adhere to a dress code (uniform). Almost every company has some policy regarding workplace appearance/dress and behavior. Some are more lax.. some are more stringent.. I don’t think there is anything wrong with basic guidance.. it reduces the potential for litigation when a teacher claims they are singled out and being harrassed.
I find it ironic that we can trust these people to educate our children, but we can’t trust them to dress themselves. Obviously there is an issue with that. I certainly would not want someone incapable of dressing themselves in the morning in APPROPRIATE attire, without having to be told, educating my child.
“I cannot see telling our teachers that at no time can they wear athletic shoes,“ she said.
I can. If they don’t like it, work elsewhere. I know all the teachers dressed appropriately when I was in school. Most other business professionals are requiired to have some standards of dress decorum. It’s no wonder the kids roam the halls looking like thugs when no proper example is set by the staff. I guess “Dress for Success” is a thing of the past.
I think sneakers should be just fine.. as long as they are in “good” condition.. (not looking like your lawn mowing pair..lol). I don’t think it’s really reasonable to expect the teachers to buy some special orthapedic shoes.. sneakers come in a wide range of styles and price points and are probably pretty appropriate footwear for someone on their feet all day.
Newer “dark wash” jeans should also be considered, especially for those teachers of the elem kids.. or in classes like Art etc.. If they are worn with a nice top/polo shirt.. they certainly can be appropriate wear.
I don’t think the board should get too overbearing in their requirements.. Set standards that provide basic guidelines that aren’t a burden for the teachers to follow.
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