An Alabama school district appears to be taking on the role of fashion police after introducing what may be the strictest dress code for teenage students at any high school in the country.
Bessemer City High School is banning everything from hoodies and leggings to flip-flops and Crocs.
While some of the clothing is typically regarded as inappropriate for the classroom, such as bandanas and sunglasses, others exclusions appear more extreme, such as a ban on comfy pajama pants or jeans with holes in.
School officials note that all of the items listed including open-toe shoes, hoodies and leggings have technically been against the rules for years, but only now are school officials are taking a stand and threatening students with suspension if they flout the rules.
An Alabama school district appears to be taking on the role of the fashion police after introducing what may be the strictest dress code for students at any high school in the country
‘We are OK with them being individual. We just want to make sure it falls within the guidelines of our dress code,’ Principal Stoney Pritchett, pictured said
‘Bessemer City Schools will strictly enforce the dress code and will not allow students to attend class if students are wearing inappropriate or questionable attire,’ the school wrote in a letter home to students and parents.
‘The faculty and administration shall encourage students to be aware that dress and personal appearance may, in a very real manner, influence the perception and attitude others may have of the student as an individual,’ a statement by the board explained.
‘Therefore, each student should consider reasonable judgment, tact, and decency in the selection of clothes for school and for personal appearance.’
Educators say that by adhering to a stricter school dress code, students will face fewer distractions which will ultimately help with learning.
Yet there are no plans to introduce a school uniform, for example, which would solve most of the problems instantly.
‘We are OK with them being individual. We just want to make sure it falls within the guidelines of our dress code,’ Principal Stoney Pritchett and counselor Tahuna Thomas said.
Bessemer High School is introducing new clothing guidelines for students with no hoodies allowed. Students are see in the canteen earlier this year
Bessemer High School is banning some of the most-worn items by teens
Students at the school are seen earlier this year. Baseball caps and hoodies will not be allowed from August
‘This policy is a dress code to help foster a sense of community and reduce distractions, allowing students to focus on their studies,’ the school wrote on Facebook.
Principal Pritchett also said that by enforcing the dress code, it would be safer for the students.
‘Oftentimes at the high school, we have drills. We have tornado drills, fire drills and weather drills,’ Pritchett said to KOLO.
‘We have to line up and go outside and things like that. We want to make sure that kids are safe moving throughout the building.
‘Other things happen as well that the school can’t prevent. We just want to make sure that no one breaks their leg or their ankle because the school is liable, and we want to make sure everyone is safe.’
Bessemer City School District is cracking down on the dress code for students when the school year starts in August
The school released detailed instruction on how students should interpret the new dress code
When Bessemer City High School begins their school year on August 8, students will be prohibited from wearing the following:
- Sunglasses in the building, except with a doctor’s prescription
- See-through, skintight, spandex, jeggings, yoga pants, and /or revealing clothing
- Open or chain belts, unbuckled belts, electronic belts for buckles, or cap ‘fish hooks’
- Unfastened overalls
- Pants / Slacks that sag
- Hats, caps, headgear, and any other head covering in the buildings on campus except for religious head coverings
- Curlers, picks, combs, or chopsticks
- Bandannas or sashes anywhere as a part of dress
- Clothing with holes above the knee
- House shoes/ slippers unless approved by a doctor or school administration
- Clothing depicting unacceptable and /or inappropriate decals, slogans, or pictures; profanity; language containing or referring to suggestive or immoral behavior; gang activity; alcohol; drugs; or tobacco
- Any clothing and /or headgear which directly or by innuendo disrespects (or is perceived to disrespect) a student’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability and /or creates, Board of Education (including negative feelings, disharmony, racial or religious discord, intimidation, embarrassment and/or fear)
- Trench coats or Matrix coats, pajamas blankets or stuffed animals shall not be worn at school or brought to school
- Slides / Open toe shoes
- Hoodies (throughout the school day)
