School Board, Administrators Discuss Dress Code 'Crackdown'

is getting proactive about enforcing the student dress code early in the year, according to school administrators.

Middle School vice-principal Nathan Davidson and High School vice-principal Mark Covelle told the school board that stricter guidelines would be followed about issues, including spaghetti straps and short/skirt length.

"We take a little bit of a stronger stance [on the dress code]," said Davidson. "Those instances where we took a harder line [with students] the parents say thank you."

Covelle agreed, saying that while the dress code isn't changing, school administrators have decided to enforce the code more vigorously. "It has been an issue in the past, and it's an issue we address with the students."

Even school board members weren't immune to the school dress code conversation.

"On a personal note, we had one of those battles in our house, and if we're having it in my house there have to be a lot of houses having it," said school board president Dr. Tom McLoughlin. "I feel for daughters that want to feel cool, but I feel for administrators who have to crack down."

Other school board members pointed out that the dress code applies to all individuals within the buildings, including teachers. "Are the teachers modeling what is acceptable?" asked board member Bill Lycett. 

According the to student guidebook, the dress code is as follows: 

Dress Guidelines

Specific types of clothing/jewelry that are not permitted in school include:

• Coats, hats, caps, bandanas or other head coverings or any headgear that distracts from instruction are not to be worn or displayed at anytime in the building. They are to be removed upon entering the building. This applies to both males and females.

• Chains, wallet chains, or similar types of jewelry, which may be in
  violation of the Southern Lehigh School District Weapons Policy,
  are not to be worn in the building.
• Gloves, belts, bracelets, necklaces or other types of clothing that have metal spikes.
• Clothing/jewelry that makes reference to or promotes drugs, alcohol, or tobacco use.
• Clothing/jewelry that makes reference to or promotes cult or satanic activity.
• Clothing/jewelry that makes reference to or promotes violence, sex, or ethnic/racial prejudices.
• Clothing/jewelry that displays profanity or obscene/suggestive writing, pictures or gestures.
• Clothing that is revealing, skintight or exposes shoulders must be covered by another article of clothing. This includes leotards, see-through clothing, spandex shorts/skirts, spaghetti straps, tank tops with spaghetti straps, halter-tops, tube tops, mesh sweaters, muscle shirts, half shirts, or any other type of shirt that permits bare midriffs.
• Spandex skirts/shorts when worn alone, boxer shorts, running or biking shorts are not permitted. Skirts/shorts must be at least mid-thigh in length.
• Pants that are worn below the waist may not expose any bare skin or type of undergarments, including boxer shorts.
• Footwear must be worn. However, slippers, shoes with cleats or shoes with wheels are not permitted.
• Sunglasses may not be worn in the building.
• Bandanas are not permitted.

Students may be required to wear certain types of clothing while participating in physical education classes, shops, labs or extracurricular activities. Hats or other head covering apparel worn for religious or medical reasons will be excused by the building level administration on a case-by-case basis.