A middle school in Dieppe, N.B. has sent home photos of what students are not allowed to wear, in order to clarify its dress code.
While the photos remove any confusion surrounding the dress code, some students believe they’re a bit extreme.
Among the offending clothing items are tank tops for both boys and girls, as well as short dresses, short shorts and baggy jeans worn low.
“Everybody is mad because that is our clothes,” says Jasmine Allain, a student at Ecole Carrefour de l’Acadie. “We bought them before school to wear at school to look nice, and now they are not letting us wear them.”
A student at a neighbouring high school believes parents should have the final say on what their children wear to school.
“If their parents approve it, they should be able to wear it,” says Colin LeBlanc. “Clothes cost a lot and if they buy it, it should be their decision.”
No one from the school or school district was available to comment on the matter due to meetings, but the school district says a dress code is a school’s responsibility and is part of the code of conduct which is given to every parent.
While some are expressing opposition to the dress code, others support it and some are even calling for the policy to be expanded.
“If you are 13 you shouldn’t be wearing that,” says student Adrian Jay. “I guess it is up to them really, but probably shouldn’t.”
“It should be for the district to make a decision and that way every school would be the same,” says area resident Delma Brideau.
“It does prepare them for the workforce,” says parent Veronique Savoie. “They have to dress a certain way to go to a business meeting and that’s just the way it is.”
While some students feel the dress code is too restrictive, many parents said they thought the photos were a good idea as a written policy could be interpreted differently by different parents.
With files from CTV Atlantic's David Bell
