Cleavage Concerns Addressed In Arlington Schools

[AlamoSpursFan]

And what about the teachers? I had a history teacher at TR who had the damn Grand Canyon peeking out of the top of her blouse just about every damn day. Imagine a white Weezy Jefferson and you'll get the picture. Any guesses as to my history GPA the two years (yes I was a lucky little pervert) I had her?

[Mijo]

And there is something wrong with looking at ties when you should be learning how to ing read and write.

I knew how to read and wriite. ties blew Algebra for me!

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Im not going overboard.

Girls in high school, do NOT, need to wear the bull that is in style now adays.


Kids walking around wearing the freakin hiphuggers and all this low cut bull is nonsense.





Stylish is one thing.


Stylish that looks like someone out of a Maxim magazine is another.


And yes, a girl that dresses stylish to the point of low cut pants and shirts, yes, that makes them whorish.


Sorry if we can't get the whole, low cut clothes means trying to get attention through sex, means they are NOT s.

The major problem I have with your statements is your use of negatives. For some reason, writing so much recently makes my head hurt to read negatives.

Anyways, *cracks knuckles*, here we go...

Guidelines 1. Shorts and skorts may be worn at the elementary school level. In grades three through five, they should be no more than four inches above the top of the kneecap. Shorts and skorts are prohibited in grades six through twelve. 2. In grades three through twelve, skirts, dresses, and culottes must be no more than four inches above the top of the kneecap. There should not be a cut or slit in the clothing that extends beyond the four inch limit. These requirements also applies to school uniforms. 3. Appropriate footwear must be worn; footwear which has toes reinforced with steel, hard plastics or similar materials is specifically prohibited. 4. Hair must be neat and clean. Unconventional colored, multi-colored or ed or Mohawk hair styles are not permitted. 5. Headwear must not be worn in buildings. 6. Any clothes that are suggestive or indecent or which cause distraction are not acceptable. Specifically, oversized clothing, tank tops, muscle shirts, halter tops, spaghetti straps, exposed backs or midriffs, and see-through garments are not permitted. 7. Indecent/inappropriate patches, writings, or drawings on clothing are prohibited. 8. All pants are to be full length (Capri pants should be no less than four inches below the bottom of the kneecap) and worn at the waist (no "sagging" or "bagging"). Tight fitting pants (e.g., tights, Spandex, bicycle pants) are also prohibited. Cut-offs and intentionally frayed pants are also prohibited. 9. Body piercing jewelry is prohibited except for rings, studs or other traditional jewelry worn in the ear. Tongue rings and tongue studs are not permitted.

http://www.nisd.net/schools/dresscode/?content=guidelines

-----

Shorts and skorts prohibited in secondary education. I was in the middle of the god-awful near-riot on the grounds of Holmes High School the day of the walk-out to protest the banning of shorts at the end of the school year in 1997. (I was covering it for both the school paper and assisting my internship employers, KENS-TV, at that time).

A friend of mine organized the walk-out, which was even stupider considering she was graduating that year.

This took place in San Antonio, TX.

You're telling me that wearing shorts at the secondary level, and for argument's sake, let's say it's the same requirements as elementary (four inches above the knee) is whorish?

Since I haven't been in San Antonio recently, what's the temperature there?

Well, guess what, I live in San Angelo right now and it's ing hot.

Reference #6. They're already banned, Eric.

All the clothes you say make girls s are banned.

Now, at what point are we to allow already overworked and underpaid teachers the time to teach (instead of playing clothing police) which if you ask me, is a of a lot larger problem than kids dressing too sexy for you.

I went to a school that was well-known for its teenage pregnancy rate, although at least we weren't ing Jay. Children are going to have sex. Teenage males are going to look at females (and some males) and teenage females are going to look at males (and some females).

I'm not saying dress codes aren't necessary, because I think they are.

I do have a problem with people's snap judgements of others because of antiquated views.

[Leetonidas]

Johnny_Blaze

[T Park]

Shorts are not, I agree.



But I guess its ok for girls to walk around school with their stomach's showing, breasts flopping out, and all that other great stuff.


Should teachers have to do this? No they shouldn't I agree.


But uh, since the parents aren't governing their kids, someone has to do something.

is a of a lot larger problem than kids dressing too sexy for you.

Yeah it is.

Too bad thats not the only thing teachers have to do anymore, cause the majority of parents have the intelligence levels of fly larvae.

[Kori Ellis]

Wait a minute ... I really wasn't paying attention to this thread, but I skimmed.

You can't wear shorts to school in San Antonio?

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Wait a minute ... I really wasn't paying attention to this thread, but I skimmed.

You can't wear shorts to school in San Antonio?

I don't know about other school districts, but NISD banned them for secondary education at a board meeting before the end of the 1996-97 school year..

[Kori Ellis]

I don't know about other school districts, but NISD banned them for secondary education at a board meeting before the end of the 1996-97 school year..

What's the reasoning behind no shorts?

[T Park]

some schools.

Because some keep taking it to extremes, shorter and shorter, so, you gotta ban em.

I don't think all.


My school allowed em. But Im sure girls kept trying to wear those stupid abercrombie and fitch shorts that show part of your ass, and have phrases on the back like "sexy" or, "Hot"


Nothin like a 14 year old, stompin around wearing those.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Northside backs dress code, rejects cheerleader exception
San Antonio Express-News
October 15, 1997
Author: Suzanne Hoholik; Express-News Staff Writer
Estimated printed pages: 2

For years, Northside School District cheerleaders have worn their uniforms to school on game days to promote school spirit and pride.
Not anymore.

A request by a parent of a Holmes High School cheerleader to allow his daughter to follow the tradition never made it to a vote by trustees.

After lengthy discussion, a motion made by trustee Carmen Zuniga to allow uniforms to be worn on game days died for lack of support.

The lengths of the skirt of the cheerleader, pep squad and dance team uniforms violate the district's new dress code policy approved by trustees in June. Changes came after middle and high school administrators complained their staffs spent too much time enforcing the old dress code.

The policy - which also bans shorts, visible body piercing and oversize clothing - requires skirts and dresses to be mid-thigh length or longer.

Two days after trustees changed the dress code, about 200 Holmes High School students walked out of class in protest of the decision.

While these students participated in the walkout, many athletes - including cheerleaders in their uniforms - could be seen through the windows of a building attending class. About 3,200 students attend Holmes.

George Terrell sent a letter to board members last month asking that his daughter, Barbara, be allowed to wear her cheerleader's uniform at least through this school year. He cited the high cost of her three uniforms - about $200 each - as a major reason to exempt them from the dress code policy.

Terrell said he was not notified that his daughter couldn't wear her uniform until about two weeks before school started in August. At this point he already had ordered and purchased the uniforms.

"I recommend that y'all waive the dress code (enforcement) for these girls until next year," he said. "Then they can order their uniforms and comply with the dress code."

Trustee Terry Smith Zablocki said she would not support exempting some students while making others follow the rules.

"I believe any deviation from the policy this board (approved), I will not be in favor of," she said.

At least three school districts - Judson, North East and San Antonio - bend the rules when it comes to allowing cheerleaders, pep squads and dance teams to wear uniforms on game days.

"An exception has been made," said Bobby Zamora, San Antonio School District spokesman. "It's part of a tradition. The uniform serves a special purpose."

At Judson and North East, the dress code requires skirts or dresses to be no more than 3 inches above the knee; at San Antonio, the clothing must be knee-length.
Edition: Alamo
Section: Metro
Page: 8B
Column: News - Local
Copyright 1997 San Antonio Express-News
Record Number: 17714

SIDE NOTE: I was in this Urban Journalism Workshop class. Superb program affectionately known as "Boot Camp For Young Journalists."

97 Urban Journalism Workshop - Students question coverage
San Antonio Express-News
July 5, 1997
Author: Sandra Mic e Martinez; Sunset High School
Estimated printed pages: 3

"There's a walkout at 11! Walkout at 11!" were the shouts heard echoing through the hallways of Holmes High School the morning of May 16.
Within minutes, 200 students walked out of their daily classes in protest of the newly proposed dress code for Northside School District.

"Burn the flag! Burn the flag!" chanted rebellious students as they sought attention from the media.

"Reporters set the tone for the story, and students are the ones who perform for the camera," said Victor Garcia, a former education reporter for the San Antonio Express-News.

Garcia, who now heads the community relations department of North East School District, said it takes only one person to call the media and start an issue.

Telemundo producer Yamileti Virgin said students usually are not portrayed fairly in the media.

"The good kids deserve a lot of attention, but they don't get any recognition unless they are bad," Virgin said. "It was only a handful of students who participated in the walkout at Holmes, and it's their own fault if they are mad about what they may have looked like on TV."

Those who objected the way the story was covered noted that more than 3,000 students remained in their seats, while 200 students staged the protest.

"I think that they should have said something about everyone, not just a few people," said Anthony Guerrero, a 15-year-old sop re at Holmes High School. "What about all of us who stayed inside?"

Critics question the media's judgment when portraying young people.

"I feel that only one side of the issue was portrayed in the news," Sunset High School Principal Jo Nitsch said. "It was only a small portion of students who participated.

"To really get the students' perspective, they (media) needed to talk to more students who didn't walk out."

Michael Pearson, assignment manager for KSAT-TV, defends his station's coverage of the event.

"The incident at Holmes was handled fairly," Pearson said. "We talked to an equal number of staff and students. I can understand that the students thought they weren't treated as fairly as they would have liked."

Dan Calderon, San Antonio Express-News education editor, said the newspaper's reports centered on the students who believed they were adversely affected by the policy.

"We were not trying to make the school look bad," he said.

The dress code issue wasn't the first time students weren't portrayed fairly, critics charge.

Sunset High School, the first night school for juniors and seniors, has been portrayed by some reporters as an alternative school, a term that commonly refers to an educational facility for discipline problem students.

Sunset isn't that kind of alternative school; rather, it's a place for academic alternatives, where regular students who may work during the day take classes at night.

Nitsch said many reporters approached her, saying they were doing a special-interest story, and would ask to speak to teen-age mothers.

"The school did attain a reputation of being a school for teen moms, but that is an incorrect perspective," Nitsch said. "Our objective is to help the students, and a small part of our focus is to help those with children."

She said the stories didn't affect enrollment.

"The school is a new concept, and anything that is new, people are hesitant to try," Nitsch said.

Many students believe unfair media reports have hurt the reputation of high schools and teen-agers.

"I think that the media lie about teen-agers," said Daniel Satas, a summer school student at Holmes High School. "They really go overboard and portray us all as gangsters, thugs and druggies."

Bianca Valles, an 18-year-old Providence student, agrees.

"The media are biased toward young people," Valles said. "They think we're dumb and when it comes to covering stories about high school students, they only want what sounds good to them. Whatever makes a story."

KSAT's Pearson agreed that most news reports about teens are negative.

"The media mostly show teens when they are hanging out at the mall, smoking, wearing baggy jeans, having colored hair and pierced tongues," Pearson said. "Teens in the media are often shown in a negative light because of the very nature of news - drive- by shootings, gangs and the like.

"As a news editor, I share the blame with all journalists for not doing enough positive stories about teens," he said.

Miguel Conchas, a reporter for La Prensa, said the portrayal of teens definitely is skewed. He often hears more stories about teens involved in crime than about their positive achievements.

"It's easier for the media to use stereotypes. It's all set. The public is used to seeing it, and they'll see it again," he said.

"There needs to be communication on both sides," Conchas added. "The media can make an effort to define its role to teens and allow teens to define themselves. The media should give them the spotlight and let them tell their side."

In efforts to encourage better communication between teens and reporters, the Express-News is creating a teen advisory board that will read the paper and provide feedback.

Calderon said the Teen Board makes good sense because he often wonders if the Express-News does enough stories relevant to a wider audience.

"With the Teen Board we will be able to ensure that a young voice is heard in the paper," he said. "We forget what it's like to be teen-agers and we need voices to remind us."
Edition: Alamo
Section: Metro
Page: 1B
Column: Feature
Copyright 1997 San Antonio Express-News
Record Number: 5119

SIDE NOTE: The girl referenced near the end hired me at The University Star as a news reporter and recommended me to replace her as news editor when she graduated. I, in turn, hired her back as news editor when I was promoted to managing editor.

Northside approves dress code
San Antonio Express-News
June 11, 1997
Author: Suzanne Hoholik; Express-News Staff Writer
Estimated printed pages: 3

Northside School District trustees unanimously approved controversial dress code changes Tuesday for middle and high school students, starting next fall, despite a handful of protests and accusations at their meeting.
Trustees approved the changes last month. Tuesday's vote incorporated the revamped dress code into the district's policy.

The changes came after middle and high school administrators told the board their staffs spend too much time enforcing the current dress code, which allows students to wear mid-thigh shorts.

The new dress code bans shorts, skorts (shorts that resemble skirts), visible body piercing except for traditional earrings, significantly oversized clothing and unconventional colored, multicolored or ed hair.

The crowd of 300 attending the meeting Tuesday at the Northside Activity Center dwindled to just under 100 by the time the board took its final vote shortly after 10 p.m. However, fewer than 10 people - including two students - voiced complaints about the changes. Their main concern was the ban on shorts.

"In making this dress code, you're stripping us of what we are," said Amber Gardner, a sop re at Communication Arts High School. "You're restricting us in our clothes ... it's like a prison. This dress code is against everything I believe in."

On May 15, two days after trustees revised the dress code, about 200 of 3,200 Holmes High School students walked out of classes in a protest the new policy that nearly resulted in a flag-burning. After the walkout, about 15 to 20 students refused to return to class and were suspended for three days. They returned in time for final exams. Northside teen-agers became increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with the board's decision, rekindling an age-old debate of students' rights vs. educators' responsibilities.

Resident Paulette LeVan said the student walkout at Holmes is just an example of the dissatisfaction of the dress code.

"People are not happy with this, and the demonstrations will get to be more and more," she said. "This is repression and tyranny. People will fight, and they won't stop until it's resolved."

Dr. Jane Lindell Hughes, a trustee, said the changes are the board's attempt to create a learning environment at Northside schools.

"As long as we are not hurting children, I would hope parents would sit down with their youngsters and say ... 'We will comply with this policy,'" she said.

"We are trying to re-establish an at ude and a look and a feel of a school," Hughes said. "We're not talking about uniforms, we're talking about articles of dress."

Despite the residents' request to allow students to wear shorts, trustee David Poole said shorts never have had a place in the classroom.

"I don't believe shorts are appropriate for our students in a learning environment," he said. "I don't believe it (shorts) lends itself to the correct mental at ude for our classrooms."

Valerie Courtney, a parent of four Northside students, asked that the board re-evaluate the dress code.

"You need to make parents more responsible and send students home. Make the children accountable for their actions," she said.

Communications Arts sop re Kirsten Crow said by passing this dress code board members are power-hungry. She also disputed claims by school administrators that the way a student dresses has very little to do with his or her academic performance.rebellion."

Edition: Alamo
Section: A Section
Page: 1A
Column: News - Local
Copyright 1997 San Antonio Express-News
Record Number: 2332

[Kori Ellis]

When I was in highschool, we wore short shorts and even guy's boxer shorts to school as shorts with tanktops. It's freakin' hot in Arizona, just like here. It doesn't seem logical to ban shorts.

[T Park]

Because they warn kids and warn em and warn em, and they keep breaking the rule.

So you gotta bust out the, alright, no one gets to wear em.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

But Im sure girls kept trying to wear those stupid abercrombie and fitch shorts that show part of your ass, and have phrases on the back like "sexy" or, "Hot"

You're sure? Without proof?

I'm guessing those would fall within (what seems to be the standard across the board) the "distracting" guidelines, but I may be wrong...I haven't been to any high school campuses recently.

Actually, wait, yes, I have...when I had to do a feature on a retiring San Angelo teacher.

I'm pretty sure I remember some of the students had shorts on.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Bad memories, man...

Students dressed down for dress-code walkout Holmes protesters rush U.S. flag when ordered to return to class
San Antonio Express-News
May 17, 1997
Author: Suzanne Hoholik; Express-News Staff Writer
Estimated printed pages: 4

The most volatile example of growing student unrest over the Northside School District's plan to restrict what teen-agers can wear to class erupted Friday at Holmes High School.
What was planned as a peaceful demonstration turned chaotic when angry teens tore down and threatened to burn the U.S. and Texas flags, just three days after the school board adopted the controversial dress-code changes for the 1997-98 school year.

More than 200 of the 3,200 students attending Holmes High walked out during class at 11 a.m. in protest of the new policy, which will affect 30,000 middle and high school students starting this fall.

The revamped dress code bans shorts, body piercing jewelry except for earrings, oversize clothing and multicolored or ed hair.

Some students carried signs that read "Kiss my assets" and shouted " no, we won't go!" when Holmes administrators told them to get back to class. Northside teen-agers have become increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with the school board's 6-1 decision that rekindled a universal, age-old debate over students' rights vs. educators' responsibilities.

Students are passing pe ions at several high schools calling on the board to rescind the policy, while others are vowing outright defiance of it come the fall semester.

"The way we dress does not affect our education. Next year, on the first day of school, I'm wearing shorts," said Eric Escue, a Holmes ninth-grader and walkout organizer. "We have the right to freedom of speech and to assemble peacefully and that's what we're doing."

The tightened revisions came at the request of school administrators who claim they spend too much time enforcing the current dress code, which allows mid-thigh shorts and does not address the popular loose-fitting jeans or body piercing trends.

Minutes after the large group gathered in the school courtyard, Principal Gary Haass tried to persuade students to return to class.

"We all have the right to protest. That's the American way ... but right now it's getting close to the end of the year and you need to be in class," he said. "You have made your point."

But the students weren't listening to Haass. They began running toward the school's flag pole and pulled down the U.S. and Texas flags and a flag promoting the Prom Promise program, which discourages students from drinking on prom night.

Some students yelled, "Burn 'em both! Burn 'em both!" Others, mainly athletes in team uniforms, watched in horror from classroom windows.

Escue and his friend, senior Daven Harris, rushed into the middle of the fray to save the flags.

"What they did with the flags is wrong. It's totally disrespectful to have it brought down in shame," said Escue, fighting back tears.

Harris agreed: "That kind of action kind of shot down our point. We were there today to prove this is a peaceful demonstration."

After the flags were rescued and raised back up the pole, teachers and administrators swarmed around the crowd to warn students that if they weren't back in class by 11:22 a.m., they would face suspension. Most students obeyed the demand and were herded back to their respective classrooms.

Head Football Coach Gary West, while directing students back to class, yelled out his opinion of the protesters.

"Those are the worse kids we have at Holmes High School," he said. "There is not one athlete, one National Honor Society member, one football player or one student from Business Careers (High School). They are less than 1 percent of the students."

Board President Ray Lopez said he understands the students' desire to protest and hopes they learn from the experience. But he admitted the board could have muted the controversy by considering the dress-code revisions at a different time.

"My only regret is it does not come at an opportune time for kids ... with exams going on. It's a distraction," he said. "There was a dilemma in waiting, but any latter may have been worse."

About 15 to 20 students refused to return to class at the requested time. District spokesman Larry Meyer said the students were suspended for three days, including Friday. They will return to school Wednesday in time for final examinations. The last day of school for Holmes students is Thursday.

Freshman Maria Ramos, sporting fatigue shorts and multicolored hair, was one of those refusing to return to class.

"It's proving how strongly I feel, and nothing is going to stop me from being who I am," she said. "I think my parents will be upset, and I can only hope that they will understand. We think it's wrong for them to take away our individuality. It's not fair to the students." get add Jay Jacobson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, said there's not a lot that can be done to fight the district policy regarding clothes. But telling students how to wear their hair is another thing.

"When you talk about no multicolored hair, what does that mean?" he said. "It becomes a matter of due process and leaves a girl or guy in limbo on whether they can frost their hair."

The district's decision to ban loose-fitting clothes, such as popular wide-leg brands of jeans, only will make the merchandise more appealing to teen-agers, said Alex Berenson, president and owner of Los Angeles-based jeans manufacturer KikWear Industries.

"It's going to make it more popular," said Berenson, adding that sales of his brand of that product have been especially brisk this week in Texas. "This action is going to fuel the fire, and it's going to create even larger demand."

But Haass said students should get used to being told what to wear.

"This (school) is a job for youngsters," he said. "We're trying to get them ready for work. What job would let you wear shorts to work?" Staff Writer Jennifer Walsh contributed to this report.

Edition: Alamo
Section: A Section
Page: 1A
Column: News - Local
Copyright 1997 San Antonio Express-News
Record Number: 145

[E20]

All in all I say yes to hot girls in skimpy outfits.

[slayermin]

Maybe the Arlington School Board saw the movie below and it scared the out of them.

[T Park]

thirteen is one of the more disturbing movies Ive ever watched.

[BIG IRISH]

I went to my grandsons school, last year, He was in Pre K and some of the teachers showed more cleveage than I've seen at the mall.

[SpursWoman]

I knew how to read and wriite. ties blew Algebra for me!

And I think too much preoccupation getting boys to look at mine blew Algebra for me.


Eh, I'm still irritated from school shopping with my 11 year old daughter ... when all I could find was a street walker would wear. But it's just a mom thing, I guess.

[CuckingFunt]

I knew how to read and wriite. ties blew Algebra for me!

And I think too much preoccupation getting boys to look at mine blew Algebra for me.

I had the unique experience of being horribly distracted by both activities.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

I had the unique experience of being horribly distracted by both activities.

Wouldn't it just be easier for teachers to come up with equations about breasts to keep the boys minds on track. It wouldn't be necessary for females since I believe they're stronger at math anyway, but you could do one with packages, I guess.

(Size + Bounciness) / Strength of Bra + [Overall Body Score x (Butterface + Personal Breast Size Preference)] = Chances of her sleeping with you.

[GOODfellas]

damn, TPark has got to be the biggest retarted this board has ever seen. Showing cleavage does not make anyone a " ". No more than wearing a pair of jeans that accentuates your butt make you a .

[ALVAREZ6]

T Park is actually right though, girls in HS dress like absolute s these days.


I'm not complaining though, I'm just telling you guys that they do.

[T Park]

TPark has got to be the biggest retarted this board has ever seen

and the kids are home from school today I see......

T Park is actually right though, girls in HS dress like absolute s these days.


I'm not complaining though, I'm just telling you guys that they do.

Your exactly right.

Im around kids in my business all the time, and the they wear is disgusting.

If the parents aren't going to set any guidelines, then the freakin schools sure have to...

[ALVAREZ6]

I don't mind it know since I'm a HS male myself, but sometimes they get carried away and go a little too far.


All I know is if I ever have a daughter, there's no way she's gonna wear what I see some girls wear now.