Teens' sexy clothes too hot for some student teachers
Issue back on school board agenda

By RICK CONRAD / Education Reporter

Teenage fashionistas with plunging necklines have compelled one Halifax regional school board member to ask the superintendent to design a board-wide dress code for students and staff.

Peggy Draper, who represents the Waverley-Fall River area, said some male student teachers in her area expressed concern about some female high school students' wardrobe choices.

"They may have some (clothing) that's more revealing than the teacher is comfortable dealing with," Ms. Draper said in an interview Tuesday.

At tonight's meeting, board members will discuss her motion to ask board superintendent Carole Olsen to recommend an "appropriate dress code" for all staff and students.

If it's approved, Ms. Olsen would have to report to the board's program and policy committee within 60 days.

"We're not talking about a uniform but a kind of dress code where teachers would set the example, and students would have to follow," Ms. Draper said.

The student teachers told her they were worried that some kids may accuse them of ogling when they're not.

"My direction is that we look into coming up with the kind of clothing that would be presentable and comfortable and not at all inappropriate in terms of too revealing or tight-fitting," she said.

Many Halifax-area schools already have a policy on appropriate attire, board chairman Wade Marshall said.

A board-wide policy is worth considering, he said.

"I think it's probably something that's overdue."

Timberlea-Prospect member Deborah Brunt said it hasn't been an issue in her district.

"I haven't had any occasion to feel that there's a need for a dress code," she said.

But she wants to find out if there are problems with schools' current policies.

Gin Yee, who represents Dartmouth Centre-Albro Lake, said a dress code would "lead to a positive environment in our classrooms."

"I want to make sure that what a student wears shouldn't be a distraction in the classroom."

But any policy shouldn't be too harsh, Mr. Yee said.

"My first instinct is the wording should be light, and the rules should be light."

The board voted in November 2003 to poll parents on the prospect of school uniforms, but the idea appears to have fizzled.

The Strait regional school board has had a dress code since last February.

The board leaves it up to schools to implement a policy on acceptable apparel "which promotes a positive school atmosphere and reflects the community's standard."

The school policy should also apply to all students, staff, volunteers and other community members while attending or visiting the school and be consistent with the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the board says.

Students are disciplined if they consistently break the dress code. They're usually not punished for a first offence, a board spokeswoman said.

Ms. Draper said she doesn't necessarily want a ban on certain clothing.

"It's easy enough to have some kind of discussion about the kinds of clothes we'd rather see not worn, and how that's articulated remains to be seen."

Source: The Chronicle Herald, January 26, 2005
http://www.herald.ca