School Committee To Consider New Dress Code, Breathalyzer Policy Tonight
The Portsmouth School Committee will meet Tuesday night at the high school library. The meeting begins with executive session at 6:30 p.m., followed by public session at 7.
An updated dress code, a change to who can administrate Breathalyzer tests and a new gift policy will be discussed at tonight's Portsmouth School Committee meeting.
All three policies have been significantly rewritten and will be submitted to the school committee for approval tonight.
Among the changes are many additions to the school's dress code, including a call for shorts and skirts to pass the "fingertip test" or for the hem to reach mid-thigh.
The school dress code policy took center stage last year after more than 100 students were sent home from a dance. The new dress code also bans hats, coats and jackets in the classroom except for times of inclement temperatures.
To view the new policies, the agenda and backup material, visit the school district's Web site or see the pdf at right.
The committee will meet at the high school library. The meeting begins with an executive session at 6:30 p.m., followed by public session at 7.
Tinker
7:10 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Hope it passes
Claire Arrico
9:35 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Hope it passes also.
Jane Burns Roggero
12:43 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
If it passes then I hope it is enforced. It's pointless to pass it if it isn't going to be enforced on all students equally.
Amelia Medeiros
2:22 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The best solution for dress code would be uniforms then everyone would have to dress alike. Why is this such a problem when some schools have adopted this policy.
Sandy McGee
2:29 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
What's a better choice? Uniforms or a dress code?
Claire Arrico
2:55 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
UNIFORMS
Jane Burns Roggero
5:21 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
An enforced dress code that way students can still express their individuality.
Claire Arrico
2:54 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I THINK UNIFORMS ARE GREAT MAYBE KHAKI'S AND PULLOVER SHIRT'S WITH COLLAR , LONG SLEEVE IN WINTER SHORT IN WARMER WEATHER.
I THINK THE PARENT'S WOULD SAVE MONEY ALSO THAT WAY.
Jennifer Carver
4:56 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I definitely agree with uniforms. It's cheaper, everyone looks the same regardless of socioeconomic status and many kids seem to concentrate better on their work, instead of stressing out about what they are wearing that day. It's disgraceful when kids are at school with pants that are so tight that their muffin tops are exposed, shirts that are too short and revealing and pants to their knees! And all the parents out there that are going to complain about kids being able to "express" themselves? Teach your kids to express themselves with their work, not their looks!!!!
Jane Burns Roggero
5:41 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I am one of those parents that think that kids can and should be able to express themselves appropriately though their clothing. Parents need to remind their teenage children that no one wants to see low cut shirts and short dresses on young girls or the underpants of a teenage boy while in school. Fast food workers, primarly teenagers, are required to wear uniforms because it promotes a clean and consistent atmosphere representing an individual company mission. A student represents their school but each student has their own mission in life not just the mission of the school. So do you think that Corporate America should require their employees to wear uniforms and forgo dress codes? I believe uniforms are appropriate in some cases but not in public schools.
Priscilla Smyth Thayer
7:01 am on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I say uniforms. It saves time and money-we will know what to buy in August and less discussion on what not to wear in the morning. If my child wants to express herself through clothing she can wear what she wants after school, weekends, and vacations.
Town resident for many years
3:01 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I agree Uniforms. I wore them in HIgh School and it was great. No problem getting ready in the morning. After school and weekends, I wore what I liked. It is also less expensive.
Claire Arrico
3:24 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I think the high percent here is uniforms. Jane I don't think you realize how many girls go to school dressed one way but during school they are not in the same clothes they went with. Don't know about the boys. But why should the teachers doing there job have to worry if the girls tops are too low or the boys pants.
Laurie spaner
7:10 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
This is public school. Kids at that age should be able to express their own personalities within appropriate guidelines and parents can stop being lazy and teach their kids what is okay. As far as the teachers having to enforce it, my husband teaches at a private high school with uniforms and it's just as much work to enforce a uniform dress code. Yes, I'm a parent and it's cheaper and a level playing field but at what age do we wean them into reality...college or their career out of High School?
Jane Burns Roggero
1:36 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Claire, I wore uniforms in school. I have nothing against them at all. However, like Laurie says, it is no different. Girls will roll up their skirts, wear their pants too tight and keep their shirts unbuttoned too low. Boys will wear their pants too low. Unforunately, Teachers will always be monitoring their classrooms for disruptions. Let our students express themself through their clothing but enforce a dress code.