Henrico considers dress code for teachers
After setting a countywide dress code for students, the Henrico County School Board is now considering one for staff.
Staff would have to comply with the student dress code. The draft policy also bans blue jeans, flip-flops and facial piercings for staff. Sneakers would be allowed only when necessary for a job assignment. Tattoos would have to be covered if considered "offensive" or "distracting."
In a survey of school employees, complaints focused on whether jeans should be allowed on casual Fridays and whether sneakers are essential for more than physical education teachers.
The School Board will discuss the issue at a work session tomorrow. A vote is likely in August.
Are you a Henrico teacher, parent or student? What do you think of a dress code for teachers? E-mail reporter Katherine Calos at .
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Reader Reactions
Jack…No offense, but your remarks suggest that you were in high school many, many years ago. Since when does tattoos and piercings show what type of raising I had? Lets see, I went to high school, college, and have a great job. I’m mature, professional, own a home, a car…you’re absolutely correct, I must not have had ANY guidance as a child.
Also, are you not aware of the history involving body piercings and tattoos? First of all, they date back to more then 5,000 years ago, so this is not something new that current generations decided to do to piss off their parents. Remember the “Iceman”? (Named Otzi) He had over 50 tattoos that were believed to be used as part of medical and/or spritual healing. Polynesian people used tattoos as signs of beauty and strength.
Piercings go back over 4,000 years. And that “awful” tongue piercing that your mind perceives to be sexual, started as a religious practive.
So please, just because you are uncomfortable with looking at a few ear piercings or a tattoo on someones chest or leg, doesn’t make it innappropriate or something that should be hidden from our youth.
Jack,
“My grandson had a teacher this year who had an eyebrow ring, 4 piercings in each ear, a tongue stud and a tattoo on her upper left breast and lower leg. A very appetizing sight to behold.“
Sounds like you were the one having trouble concentrating…
“...because youngsters possibly will determine it’s an acceptable practice.“
Uh, Jack what about your self control, shame on you for showing your Grandchild what its like drool all over his young teacher…
Posted by ( 123456 ) on July 17, 2009 at 10:35 am
Jack…I take high offense to your statements.
First of all, I have NEVER seen a teach dress like street walker or be covered in tats and piercings.
Second of all, piercings and tats do not equal trashy, sexually devient, drug using people.
I work in a highly professional establishment. I have several piercings and 4 tats. (one being a tongue ring) however nothing is distracting or offensive. The majority of people I work with have no idea I even have a tongue ring.
I’m sorry, but a few piercings and visible tats DOES NOT give children the wrong idea. I know this because I was in the school system just 6-7 years ago. Most children learn their morals and values at HOME, not school, so lets not punish the teacher for things parents should be in charge of.
My grandson had a teacher this year who had an eyebrow ring, 4 piercings in each ear, a tongue stud and a tattoo on her upper left breast and lower leg. A very appetizing sight to behold.
No offense but since you were in school just a few years ago means you are probably one of the young that had no guidance in your raising. Body mutilation has no place in the classroom because youngsters possibly will determine it’s an acceptable practice.
Some things are not acceptable in the classroom or any other professional environment.
The schools are right in demanding and enforcing dress standards. Those who don’t like it should find other employment.
What many of you don’t realize is that once upon a time no one would ever have needed to think about this. The standard was higher and people had more self respect and respect for others than people have today. Our teachers also wanted to set a good example for us. They dressed appropriately, kept their pants zipped and their dresses down. Today, it is sadly a different story and no one seems to want to grow up and act like an adult with self-esteem.
Jack…I take high offense to your statements.
First of all, I have NEVER seen a teach dress like street walker or be covered in tats and piercings.
Second of all, piercings and tats do not equal trashy, sexually devient, drug using people.
I work in a highly professional establishment. I have several piercings and 4 tats. (one being a tongue ring) however nothing is distracting or offensive. The majority of people I work with have no idea I even have a tongue ring.
I’m sorry, but a few piercings and visible tats DOES NOT give children the wrong idea. I know this because I was in the school system just 6-7 years ago. Most children learn their morals and values at HOME, not school, so lets not punish the teacher for things parents should be in charge of.
Jack,
Um, calm down… Their focus is banning Blue Jeans, this is the first I’ve heard of the teachers looking like heavily tattooed porn stars, if that was the case at least the boys would pay attention, I may even go back for a refresher course myself… But in the mean time perhaps the focus should be on educating the kids and preparing them for the real wold environment that most of us call life. I’m not much on piercings myself, but my arms have been fully sleeved since before tattoos were “The In Thing” so trust me when I say, I’ve never gotten anywhere on my looks. Dedication and the willingness to succeed go much farther than looks, and those are the qualities we should look for in our teachers, not good fashion sense…
jmu..
I don’t think my employer respects me any less because I have to adhere to a dress code at work.. (business casual.. no jeans unless the job specifically calls for that).
I do agree that parent volunteers should be made aware of the dress standards required by the school of “everyone” and be required to follow them if they are working with the school.. even in a volunteer capacity.
I have been very disappointed over the last few months to learn of the unfortunate agenda of the school board. I believe that such a specific dress code for HCPS employees infringes on the respect that should be given to employees to make their own judgment. My guess, having worked in the County for six years is that most employees dress very professionally. It is a shame that those that choose not to, are not spoken to by their supervisor. I look forward to “Jeans Fridays” at my school. It is one of only a few fringe benefits that teachers have in our job. For those of you that are not fashion forward, jeans can be dressed up these days. I agree with a number of other posts that suggest the intolerance that will be promoted by this dress code. We need to embrace people of all shapes, sizes, colors, and those with artistic expression. A tattoo does not equal bad behavior and a facial piercing does not mean sexual deviant. Teachers are human beings, not perfect angels. We should not put teachers on a pedestals and constantly look for them to fail to unfair expectations. I think that the number one concern we should have is if they are providing children with a safe and highly educating classroom each day. Should wearing a suit over jeans and a nice blouse determine the quality of education that I provide my students? I think not. On a final note, perhaps HCPS should require parents that volunteer in the school to abide by the dress code as well. That ought to spark some interest!!
Posted by ( 123456 ) on July 17, 2009 at 8:04 am
In my opinion, all local schools (in surrounding cities and more) have more important issues they should be handling. Lets tackle teen pregnancy, drug use, gangs, better education ect…before we start telling a teacher they can’t wear their Nikes and need to cover up that butterfly tat.
That is a big part of the problem. When you have teachers dressing like streetwalkers with piercings all over their bodies, revealing clothes, tattoos visible kids have the wrong images of what is acceptable. Maybe they are in other professions away from school. Some of them sure look the part.
When I see a tongue stud I have the image of someone who has it for a purpose other than visual.
In my opinion, all local schools (in surrounding cities and more) have more important issues they should be handling. Lets tackle teen pregnancy, drug use, gangs, better education ect…before we start telling a teacher they can’t wear their Nikes and need to cover up that butterfly tat.
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