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Community Corner

Mom Questions School Dress Code Inconsistencies: Letter to the Editor

Resident Jan Hightower-Woods asks Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education to address conflicting policies.

A letter written by Jan Hightower-Woods to Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education members, then submitted to Stow Patch as a Letter to the Editor:

Hello, Mr. Spangler, Ms Wright, Ms. Powers, Mr. Bonacci, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Jones,

Below please find an excerpt from the "Code of Conduct" that I took off of the SMFCSD website today at 3 p.m. on May 17, 2012. I want to know if the District Policy overules individual school policies or are the schools allowed to "change" the District policy as they see fit?

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The reason I am asking is because as a parent of a child in this District I utilize the District website and count on it to have accurate information regarding school policies for ALL of the schools in the District.

has it's "own policy" and has actually changed the verbage of the District policy and has adjusted the District policy to suit their own agenda (which, by the way, the rules are randomly enforced). See both the District policy ... and Lakeview's policy (below).

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When speaking with the school Principal Mr. Yanchunas and Assistant Principal Mr. Muckleroy, I inquired as to why these policies were different and they could not answer my question. I also wanted to know which one was correct because I was told by my daughter's teacher that I should "refer to the district website for district policy."

My daughter missed an entire day of school today because she was singled out and sent home for "NOT FOLLOWING THE POLICY." What is the policy??? I sat outside of Lakeview as the students were being dismissed and saw MANY girls clearly in violation of the so called policy, yet they were allowed to remain in school. Short shorts and short skirts. What kind of message does that send to my daughter, it's ok if you are in a certain teachers class but not ok if you are in your teachers class, really???

I was also told by Mr. Yanchunas that he "doesn't seek out people who violate the dress code, he only says something if the teacher sends them down." How can you miss them? If he stands out in the hall with his eyes open he would clearly see one violation (according to Lakeview's policy) after another.

I would like the board to address this policy conflict between to SMFCSD and the individual schools as soon as possible.

District - Dress or Appearance

A student shall not dress in an obscene or suggestive manner or in any fashion that, in the judgment of the staff and/or administration, disrupts the educational process. See-through or mesh garments, midriff blouses or shirts, tank tops, spaghetti straps, exposure of undergarments of any type, spiked jewelry, chains, cleavage, low-riding pants, hats, and clothing with obscene or suggestive statements or symbols are prohibited. Also prohibited is any apparel that advertises or promotes sex, drugs or alcohol. Shoes must be worn at all times. Coats and hats should be placed in lockers and not worn/carried during the school day.

Lakeview - STUDENT APPEARANCE

A student shall not dress in an obscene or suggestive manner or in any fashion that in the judgement of the administration disrupts the educational process. See-through or mesh garments, midriff blouses or shirts, tank tops, and clothing with obscene or suggestive statements or symbols are prohibited. Also prohibited is any apparel that advertises or promotes drugs or alcohol. Shoes must be worn at all times. Slippers and/or pajamas are not appropriate school attire unless previously authorized as part of a Student Council Spirit Day. Appropriate shorts, fingertip length, may be worn during the school year.

To submit a Letter to the Editor, email Local Editor Amanda Harnocz.

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