I'd like to hear what the parents of these girls have to say for themselves for letting them out of the house like that!

"Several male students were asked to leave for wearing jeans..."

Asked to leave? Why were they allowed in to begin with?

T

Dear Patch,
You may want to do some investigating of your own... and change the title to the story. Because from the information I have heard the students were turned away at the door but given the opportunity to go home change and return to the dance dressed appropriately. Which would mean they were not BANNED they were just not allowd entrance unless they were dressed properly.

They were BANNED from entering until they changed, makes sense....Poor argument Kamakazee!

The title is misleading especially with recent events is my point. WPRI is trying to draw attention to this off of what recently happened in Conn. which is just sad. The school officials had every right to do what they did. there is a dress code in place and the parents should be thankful for the school enforcing it.

Maybe they were "banned" and NOT given the opportunity to change and return. Another rule in place was for the dance was that anyone arriving after the prescribed time would not be admitted regardless of who it was.

According to students at the school, more than a dozen people were turned away. My son's date was told that shecouldnot go In because the person "inspecting" her said he could see through her dress! Her dress was beige with a black lace overlay. I saw the dress and it was not see through. They would not discuss it and were laughing as they rejected people. I feel this was handled poorly. Parents were not notified and apparently there was an impromptu party in the parking lot with no supervision.

Again, we see teachers in Portsmouth doing a great job. Is there a civil issue here with being "inspected"?

Here it is from a parent of a daughter who had to leave. #1. I went out shopping with my daughter on 3 seperate occasions searching for a dress that would not be too short- I read the email- she was at the assembly- we knew the rule. The issue is that so many others were allowed when their dresses were equally or more revealing. On top of this, my daughters date had to leave to give her a ride home and couldn't go back because it was past the re-entry deadline. Not to mention all the other kids who were left without rides when their parents assumed they were safely at the dance.

I was a student at the dance, from the Sophomore class. I was let into the dance but given strange looks from several staff members. Only five minutes after being in the dance, while I was sitting down with a couple of friends, I was rudely escorted out of the gymnasium. A teacher led me outside, in front of almost 50 students (who were not let into the dance) and was told to leave and change my dress. I performed the "finger tip rule" and passed, in front of everyone, and the Assistant Principal still sent me home. My ticket number was 298 and many students purchased tickets after me and from what I understand, only about 150 actually attended the dance. Some girls with short dresses would get sent home, but some would get let in. It was not consistent at all. My date had to take me home and could not get back it in because it was too late.

I too am a parent of a daughter who was not allowed into the dance!!!!! The dress was appropriate and met the dress length requirements!!! It is the inconsistencies that bother me the most. Some girls were allowed in while others were not even with the same exact dress....thats pretty funny!!!! Lucky for my daughter her and her friends had a ride home. Be consistent and it would be an issue!!!!

Be consistent and it would not be an issue!

Correction....3 girls with the exact same dress as my daughter were allowed in and over 100 turned away.

The rules for the dance were set in place, and documented in the school handbook from day1. As a courtesy to the students and parents, phone calls were made, e-mails were sent out, and assemblies were had to make certain that students and parents were aware of the rules and the consequences. The teachers and principal do their best to remain consistent when enforcing these rules, and it baffles me that it's the parents who are complaining that the rules set in place, were enforced. Isn't that their job? To enforce the rules, creating a safe environment for the kids? I understand some may feel that there were inconsistencies, and although I was not there, so I am purely speculating, I would imagine it would be difficult to be consistent measuring each dress. Some were overlooked, I'm sure. So what should the teachers have done? Measured each dress with a tape measure? I know that wouldn't have gone over well. They used their best judgment. As far as the argument that certain students were turned away, while others wearing the same dress were allowed in, wouldn't you agree that not every girl is built the same? While a dress might fit one girl perfectly, it may be too short on a taller girl. The bottom line is the teachers and principal did their best to enforce a rule that was clearly set in place for the good of the students. They should be praised for their efforts. Instead, they are having to defend themselves to the parents of the very children they are trying to protect.

Let's all take a deep breath...I think I speak for most parents that I know when I say that the biggest reason we live in Portsmouth is the school system. I /We are very proud of Portsmouth Schools and most all of it's teachers as well. We know the tasks you deal with day in and day out and I am not trying to be one of those parents who does not advocate the teachers- quite the contrary- I'm sorry you were put in the position you were. But when parents receive the emais and the kids were told the rules, and we honestly thought we abided by them (of those that I know) only to find out that our kid wasn't allowed after all- it simply felt like a witch hunt. Lke, "we warned you, now we're going to show you". That's how I felt, and for a teenager- it's was just downright embarrasing the way it was handled.

My daughter was let into the dance and allowed to stay. Her dress met the fingertip test. However... many of the girls who were turned away were also wearing dresses that met the fingertip test... which was the only measure of acceptance mentioned in the email preceding the dance. Possibly the greatest difference was that some of the girls turned away were wearing heels or possibly had more form fitting dresses. I think that if the dress met the fingertip test, regardless of the rest, then they should have been allowed in and allowed to stay. PHS certainly has the right to insist on a dress code for these dances, but they do need to be consistent in applying that dress code based ONLY on the criteria that they set prior to the dance. I can only imagine how upset the parents, who thought they were abiding rules, were when their daughters were turned away. Even as a parent whose child was allowed to stay, it was upsetting to think of the hard earned money wasted when she wanted to leave after 30 minutes because she saw many of her friends turned away. Kelli is correct. The dress code needs to be consistent and spelled out clearly in order to avoid any confusion in the future.

I'm just curious as to what the parents think the teachers could have done to make it more consistent?

My child was not attending this dance, however I found the email sent by the principal offensive and gender discriminatory even before the dance and all of this happened. It stated "Gentlemen must wear shirts and ties. Girls will be turned away at the door if their dress is excessively short (fingertips at their sides). No jeans are allowed."
Why are the males called "gentlemen" and the females only called "girls"? Why was no restriction stated about requiring pants of any kind for the "gentlemen"or being turned away at all (what if they were wearing shorts?), but stated that only "Girls will be turned away at the door if their dress is excessively short..."? It felt as if he was targeting and scolding only the females (for any possible offense before the fact) and he couldn't even be consistent and call them 'ladies' but yet he called the boys 'gentlemen'. The message implies that they are not "ladies" if their dress is too short. His email and the treatment of females at the dance is just one of the many symptoms of inconsistency and gender discrimination rearing its ugly head at PHS and it filters from the top down. Time to move out of the 1960's and maybe out of Portsmouth, or maybe it's time for someone else to move on...

And he is testing us. Every, every day, our Lord is testing us. If he wasn't testing us... how would you account... for the sorry state of our society... for the crimes... that plague the big cities of this country... when he could sweep this pestilence from the face of the earth... with one mighty gesture of his hand? If our Lord wasn't testing us, how would you account... for the proliferation these days... of this obscene rock and roll music... with its gospel of easy sexuality... and relaxed morality? If our Lord wasn't testing us, why, he could take all...these short skirts and blue jeans... and turn them into one big fiery cinder like that! But how would that make us stronger for him? One of these days, my Lord is going to come to me... and ask me for an explanation... for the lives of each and every one of you. What am I going to tell him on that day? That I was busy? That I was tired? That I was bored? That I was stuck at Clements? No! I can never let up! I welcome this challenge from my Lord... so that one day I can deliver all of you unto his hands. And when that day dawns... I don't want to have to do any explaining! I don't want to be missing... from your lives!
Praise the Lord in singing...

Pictures have been sent to Sandy for viewing.

And Tamori, they were not let in to begin with........

The title is dead on. My daughters friend was banned from ALL Portsmouth High School dances for the next two years of her High School career for leaving before she was aloud. Her friends parent told the Principal it was okay to bring her home, to his face, but they would not let her leave. Now she is banned.

Begs the question... Are teachers using this as an excuse so that dances should not happen since they are upset with the pay? This is after hours work? Seems suspect that this many students are getting treated poorly. Very suspect.

Hi, I'm a student at Portsmouth High School and i would just like to say that WPRI was extremely off with their report. This year they told us the same thing as every year, to make sure our dresses were longer than our fingertips. I followed this rule, took pictures with my parents, and thought what i was wearing was appropriate, but I was wrong. When I showed up to the dance there was roughly 100 students standing in the parking lot waiting for rides or debating on walking home. They had been told they couldn't come into the dance and there were no refunds. I thought I might as well try to get in, but I didnt even make it to the door. While walking up to the gym I was told to "stop and turn around because there was no way i was getting in". There was no finger tip test, the teachers just gave one disgusted look at every girl and told them to leave. Students were left with nowhere to go but hang out in the parking lot and no parents were informed of this. The teachers were just standing there laughing. I just hope Portsmouth High School knows just how much money they will be losing next year when not one person attends any of the dances

I think this was their accomplishment. To get people not to go to future dances. I'd say this was a major breach in security along with commitment of funds. Two issues that cannot be denied nor misrepresented. One question-why were parents not notified when kids were not allowed into the school? Parents were notified about the dress policy.

Commitment of funds ??? Not sure what you mean. Dances are a great opportunities for students to make money for their class. They do not use any of this money to pay teachers etc. not sure if this is what you are refering to. We know that this is a way for students to make money and this is why we volunteer. Trust me I would love to spend a Friday evening with my family but know if they don't have teachers to chaperone there will be no dance. We are not asking for much from the kids. Breaking up a couple because of the way they are dancing if VERY uncomfortable. It is NOT something we enjoy !!!

I understand that the style of dance may be inappropriate for high school, just don't implicate and target only the girls because their dresses are 'too short'; it takes two to "grind" and both boys and girls need to be accountable.

I cannot even beleive the amount of parents that are saying their daughters dresses were appropiate. I am a student at Portsmouth High School and I had a blast at the dance because of the new rules. Our student council had also helped with these new changes and every student was made aware of these new changes. A letter was also sent out to parents saying if they would like to they can come chaperone. If parents ant to know why it was so hard for us to even have this dance, then maybe they should have come to the past two. You do not know what goes on at these dances unless you actually come and see for yourself. So next time do not complain unless you were actually there because you do not know the whole story. The teachers had to be very strict with rules for this dance because no one thought they were going to go through with it, but they did and I am proud to say they did because this dance was actually much better then the past ones I have attended. No one came drunk and no one was on the floor dancing. Good job teachers

The teacher reactions and comments talk to the style of dancing. This sidestepping the real issues that went down. Kicking kids to the curb due to appearance. This is a shame in all respects and should be investigated. What would of happened if a kid got hurt or lost or something worse becuase a parent was not notified they were not allowed inside.

How was a parent suppose to be notified? Pretty much every student has a cell phone and could have called someone to come pick them up or just ask a friend for a ride home. Most kids went to the carnival or to other partys. How on earth is that a teachers fault? The teachers did their job and students were given time to go home and change and come back. They didnt need to go where ever they did after they were turned away, they simpky had to find a better suiting dress and come back and have fun. They chose not to and most had plenty of time and teachers were still letting students in after 8:30 because they were not going to turn them away.

"portsmouth kid" is obviously someone from the administration......

Actually I am a student. I simply know more then what your childrne are telling you because i got my facts straight. I helped plan the dance and i helped come up with the ideas to change how the dance went because I was horrified at how the seniors dance went. I wanted to have more dances and the only way to do so was to get chaperones, so things oviously had to change. Rules were made and students chose not to follow them.

Portsmouth parents within the "community" (which we most certainly are) are very willing to volunteer and I think if they had been asked (prior to the week before) there certainly would have been more chaperones in the form of parents. Why should teachers have to chaperone when they're there all week? I never realized that teachers were the chaperones, so a little communication can go a long way also since I did not realize what an issue "grinding" was and I've had someone at PHS since 2006. FYI...
Mr Littlefield sent an email today commending there was no grinding and no drugs.

The staff and news channel is lying to you all.12 kids were not removed, try 250 kids were removed. even the girls on the 2013 student council got kicked out. what a great class we have! its obvious that Portsmouth kid is not real, that is cyber bullying for being someone you really aren't. the cops could get involved for that, remember. the principles weren't even letting girls step foot on the side walk because of their dresses, you should see the stuff some of the staff wears at our school. i think they need to concern more about the teachers than the students for the dress codes because it disturbing to see teachers dressed like that. and also good job to the 2013 for loosing money for our grade because of this dance, you really did it! you got what you wanted a nice, clean dance....too bad you didnt seem to notice the people sneaking out the back door because it sucked.

It sounds as if you are buying into the "blame the clothes" for inappropriate behavior reasoning. Just because someone wears a short dress it doesn't mean it is the reason for inappropriate actions, be it by her, with her, or to her. Vice versa, someone wearing clothes that were considered "appropriate" by PHS can still do something inappropriate. It is the person that is accountable, not the clothes, so don't punish unless the 'crime' is committed. If people are dancing inappropriately, then they should be asked to leave. It's about self-control, not the length of a dress and no one should have been turned away without a parent being called.

Well I am a student at Portsmouth and I find from reading this, Portsmouth High School and its administrative decisions are spiraling the school into its downfall. I have seen it through its phases, and it seems that now everything is diminishing into pure vindictiveness. I was an upper classmen with a ticket to the dance. However, I saw that girls were being kicked out because of their dress.... not their dancing habits. So the fight that teachers did not want to chaperone because of the dancing totally goes against why students were not being let in in the first place. They did not even get the chance to dance. Therefore, the administration was jumping to conclusions. This is all very sad, this is going to ruin a great fundraiser for future classes. All I can say is that the spirit of Portsmouth is not what it used to be.

Of course the kids that left had fun. Unsupervised fun. The ones still inside did not. I was there and I understand that the style of SOME and the dance moves of others were inappropriate but not all were dancing like that or dress poorly. the dance was no fun. I hope we can have another dance and that people come dressed acceptable and the chaperones treat all students equally. My dress was too short but no one sent me home. I wish they had because I didn't want to stay but I couldn't leave either. One girl could not go home because if she left she was going to be expelled. That is was they told her. I heard another did get expelled. So many stories. I know what I saw and I hope it is never like that again. It was nice that no one was drunk.

So kids are not allowed I tithe dance or rather filtered. Bad news goes out about this injustice and the principle has the guts to send a note saying there was no grinding or drugs so it was a success? Again I repeat. Can this crowd of teachers and get a new staff. Even better regionalize. This is unheard of in newport and Middletown. What an absolute disgrace handled by so called part time professionals.

I'll tell ya. I work in Newport and the way these 13-16yr olds dress these days in disgraceful. I cant tell if they are 13 or 26! People are watching too much "Jersey Shore" and taking it literally. I can only imagine these were skin tight dresses with their hoo hoo hanging out like you see on the show? Boom

Kim sent pics to the editor, let's see the pic and judge for ourselves if this was or was not appropriate. It's amazing how people roll over when it comes to teachers and their poor judgements. Truly, there is a hidden agenda by the teachers that participated in these actions. Truly, those that were judged are also being judged in other ways (for example, if a lady wears an outfit showing to much, does that mean she "does to much" in other areas? Maybe, but she doesn't need to be called out. For the teachers that don't understand this - if you purchase cereal then you need milk. Therefore, if a lady dresses with exposure it doesn't mean she is ready to be exposed. However, calling them out for unappropriate clothing is also calling them other names that are read between the lines.

Skateboarders can grind. why cant we?

Ok here we go...
I went to the dance, and arrived with a group of about four sophomore girls and three other upperclassmen guys. We all walked up to the door after being warned by people already turned away that even trying to get in would be pointless. Needless to say, those students already turned away were right. two of the girls were turned away at the door, and their two dates stayed with them. Myself, my date, and the other couple got in, and immediately tried to leave to stay with our friends who were now gathered outside all the other people denied entry. Of course, we weren't allowed to backtrack even ten seconds after entering, and were stuck inside.
We snuck out the back door (Good job PHS Security) and went to the parking lot, which was FULL of people who had done the same. I'll leave it to everyone's imagination of what everyone did after that.
Thank you PHS for essentially causing students to leave the dance early and get to start partying even sooner than originally planned.

The schools need to get out of the dance business and stick to education.

Saw the pic and clearly some dresses are appropriate but with the vague fingertip test one with short arms can get away with more than one with long arms.
This is a pic into our future - God Bless America...it is a beautiful place.

The picture posted of the girl's dresses on the other posting shows tasteless cocktail club gear. I sincerely hope the parents posting on this site were not those parents. You complain when your kid gets turned away rather than looking at the reality that maybe as a parent you failed to be the parent in this situation. Your kids may be getting older but they still need parents to help them make better choices. I think the teachers should just can the dance and ask the parents to chaperone from now on. That way the parents can let their kids dress how they want, act how they want, etc. Problem solved on both ends.

It seems as if the majority of the people backing the faculty and administration have no current connection with PHS at all. I myself graduated a year ago and I have a brother who is currently a student, I've heard every side of the story, seen countless dresses and pictures, so I feel I have a wide and unbiased view of exactly what went on. Those of you calling these girls disgusting names and blaming parents who spent their time and money to find a dress for their daughter that met the dress code but was then turned away clearly have NO idea what actually happened; all you have is twisted news stories and hearsay. This was blatant gender discrimination and disgusting unprofessionalism by the faculty and administration.

Well Katie, you clearly don't agree with some comments on here, and you don't appreciate the volunteer time that the staff took to put on this dance so why don't you organize yourself and some parents to host the dance for next year? You could rent a nice place, the kids could wear what you and others feel is appropriate and you could "police" the dance floor for underage drinking, inappropriate dancing, etc. I wasn't aware that college students were attending these dances, but your first-hand knowledge makes me think otherwise. No one is calling the students hookers but to say they dressed like a hooker is an opinion. I personally would be horrified if my daughter went out dressed like that. Times may be changing, but I am not going to use that as an excuse to let my daughter dress however she wants. It is not meant to be hurtful, but if you look at the poles on the local stations, over 80% of Rhode Islanders agreed with Mr. Littlefield's decision. A few angry parents on here isn't going to change that. I feel really bad for the teachers and administrators who gave up their time and were put in this awkward situation. Hopefully next year they just decide that maybe this dance isn't such a good idea.

Woops poll, not pole...Freudian slip!

I agree! Welcome to the 21st century this isn't the age of the twist and shout anymore, but not everyone in the high school is an inappropriate dancer. I saw girls in gorgeous dresses that were not, in fact inappropriate at all getting turned away. In unspoken words, they were basically told by the administration that they looked like a "slut" and immediately accused before they even walked through the door that they would be an "innappropriate dancer". Well, PHS Administration, well done once again, slowly destructing a good time for students.
And its true, if they had just let people in, all the partying that went on after because no one got into the dance would not have gone on. It is at the fault of the administration.

Wow alright, well I was there, I was called by my brother in a panic because his date and all of his friends were turned away (while the teachers were laughing) so I was the one to pick them up. So yes I do have first hand experience. Don't get me wrong I LOVE the teachers at PHS, I've had nothing but pleasant experiences with all of the teachers and Littlefield. I see their intentions and I respect them, however the manner in which it was carried out was not appropriate nor safe. To disagree with that is to be blind. You may argue about my unbiased view and whatever else you would like, but the bottom line was that I was there and you were not.

(agree with Katie S.)

Dearest Middle of the road,

In one post, you sarcastically discredit the thoughts of Katie S in saying:
"I wasn't aware that college students were attending these dances, but your first-hand knowledge makes me think otherwise."

Understandably, you call in to question the validity of her statement, because you, understandably, assume that she had not attended the dance. However, by discrediting her argument on the grounds of her not being there, how can you even possibly attempt to use another statistic to back up your thoughts when you say: "over 80% of Rhode Islanders agreed with Mr. Littlefield's decision"

I will take a leaf out of your book, and assume, that 80% of RI did not attend the Portsmouth High School Froshmore Dance. That number would equate to 842,567 people crammed into the gymnasium (Based on latest census results), which would violate fire code... and then some, so that clearly didn't happen. Why should their opinion be valued when others are not?

Sincerely,
BKPK

The teachers were not laughing as students could not get it? I went with a big group of people and only a few could not get in, so they went home and changed. I even helped some go home and change and there were girls who were smart and brought extra dresses just in case. Some were mad that we werent allowed to grind, but who cares because its disgusting to see people do that. Yes there were some inconsistances and some girls with short dresses did get it, but they did their best. What would you do if you were in there position? Maybe next time we can measure each dress and make sure it is meeting an appropiate length, thats not degrading at all. And yes girls dresses werethe issue, because obviously a boy is not going to come in a short dress. We all know boys have it easier when it comes to dressing up and the teachers could not change that. Insteadof bashing them, why not support them because they were trying to do right and help your children grow up into nice adults that can dress respectivly.

Because Grinditup they are two different issues, and I didn't say the opinion wasn't valued, but that's at all it is, an opinion. Saying how the teachers treated the students and accusing them of laughing and being inappropriate to the students is different than asking a poll whether or not it is acceptable to deny students based on the length of their dress. The concern of some is that their children's dresses were indeed appropriate. This may be the case, but unfortunately, the only picture we have is of several girls with the three in the middle clearly being in my opinion inappropriate. Again, this commentary is for opinion. People can think that I am old-fashioned in my beliefs, but I stand by the fact that if there is a dress code it should be abided by. It shouldn't take touching your fingertips to your dress to see whether a dress is appropriate or not. Again, I think you and anyone else who wants to criticize the school and administration's handling of this should volunteer to coordinate and police the dance next year. If they did such a poor job, surely the folks complaining on here could do much better.

Just read that you were student...in that case you can ask your parents to chaperone.

My mom took me out to get my dress and approved. She even picked it out and I loved it. But to have a male faculty member tell you it is too short is rude and degrading. Male administration is not aloud to tell a female student that. And if my mother approved, I should have been aloud to stay. My parents tell me what is right and wrong. And yes, I understand that the teachers are responsible for me while I am their but they do not go against what my own parents say is okay and not okay.

If you dont want to chaperone then say no when the student council asks you. It is unfair for you to lash out at the school as a whole for being unhappy because you gave up your night. Now a PHS Tradition is totally ruined, and may I add, it is not a administration put on fundraiser, it is a student fundraiser. I feel bad for the student councils who worked so hard and spent endless time, effort, and money to put on a fun activity for their class... now it is all gone to waste. School spirit and attendence to further school functions, I can assure you, will slip right down the drain. First of all, the statistics are not correct "middle of the road", you're not so middle of the road, seems like you only are on one side. You can look at any statistics or journalism text book and find that polls taken with voluntary response are completely inaccurate because they don't survey "all of Rhode Island". They only survey those who are willing to respond at that point in time. What young person watches NEWS CHANNEL 12 at 6'oclock anyway. We're too busy doing our school busywork.
And to "Portsmouth Kid", I am not sure you are a Portsmouth Kid. I am not sure you really are a Portsmouth Kid, because I don't know one person who feels the same way you do. There may have been parties planned for the older kids, but instead of attending the froshmore dance we ended up bringing along the disappointed freshman and sophomore students because their exciting night was ruined.

guesswho-Blaming students' decisions to go to parties and/or drink because of a school dance is a scary comment. Are you saying that students are unable to make good choices? And no one called those girls hookers, the comments were that they were dressed like them and if you don't think in life you are not going to get judged based on your appearance, you have a harsh reality coming to you. Sometimes the truth hurts. This is clearly a bunch of pouting teenagers and some embarrassed parents that did not get their way posting.

Regarding the picture: Unfortunately what you do not see is our beautiful daughters (and sons) happy smiling faces clearly excited about an upcoming night of fun. For those of you who still think these dresses are inappropriate , sorry to offend thee, but you really need to come out of the dark ages. These are the times, like the 60's were and the 70" and the 80"s and then the 90's. You obviously have no idea how hard it is to shop for "appropriate" attire that your child will wear or like. So as parents we have to pick our battles as well as trust our kids, because if we don't start trusting our kids now how will they get the opportunity to become trustworthy? Portsmouth is a great town, the kids are great kids, if this is all we can complain about, I'll take it! I am officially done.

I think there are plenty of mature high school students actually. I can see that you are angry and don't agree with my opinions. That is fine. I do have children and that is actually why I responded to this article. I was truly horrified when I saw the pics of some of the dresses. Perhaps one day when you have children you will understand the concern that some of the teachers and parents have expressed. Perhaps you won't. Either way, I would hope that the teenagers who did not end up being let in to the dance had the self-respect not to get involved in destructive decisions involving alcohol and drugs.

My daughter attended this dance. She was allowed in because she was dressed appropriately. Could the situation have been handled differently? Absolutely. Will it be done differently next time? I would bet so, but I sincerely doubt there will be a next time. The big issue I am seeing here is that parents are upset because of 2 things. The inconsitencies, which I am not sure how you do away with, without lining them up and taking out a ruler; and the lack of notification. As a parent, if my child had been sent out, my expectation from her would be that she call me and tell me. If she made the choice to not notify me and ask to go elsewhere, SHE would be the one in trouble, not the school. The school had a rule and did their best to enforce it. At some point people, kids must be held accountable for their actions. These ladies chose what dress they put on, and when they weren't allowed in, they made more choices, some better than others.

Actually I am in that teachers class and this is how I know so much. I listen to my teachers and the rules they made and I got in. So did my date and friends. The dance may not have been the best one ever, but we knew that going in because the teachers were going to be more strict. Maybe next year students will take the administration more seriously and not wear dresses that may not get them in. There are such things as long dresses and by long I mean not to your ankles, but a little above the knee.

Portsmouth Kid, whether the dress is alittle above the knee on the way through the door doesn't matter when the girls push them up to inappropriate height once inside, does it? Whether an individual is 14, 24 or 44 they need to make responsible choices and follow the rules. Girls don't understand the impressions being set by their actions. Boys don't understand that girls are not objects of their desires. But both girls and boys do the wrong things. Both boys and girls need to have respect for themselves and others. Parents need to teach their children to have respect for themselves, others, rules, laws but mainly themselves. If they respect themselves then they will do the right thing. I can only imagine that next year will only be worse because the students haven't learned anything from any of this. Too bad. The administration needed to be consistent and it sounds like they weren't. No surprise each person has their own opinion of what is acceptable and what is not.

This was such a failed attempt at keeping the students 'appropriate'. Do the teachers not realize that one we all got turned away, we just went and partied? We have a few options on a Friday night; a) Go to a school dance and wear a short dress, b) Go out and drink and do far worse things than have too short a dress. God forbid we are at a school dance, being watched over, but our dresses were too short. I can't believe the teachers turned so many girls away, considering the alternative. I truly believe that was a terrible lack of judgement on the staff's behalf.