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Nevarmore “The dress code is way too serious. Like the rule that the shorts have to come past your fingertips; that was a major flaw in the dress code. The long shirts and leggings were a way to look comfy without breaking the rules. It’s basically a way of poking fun at the dress code. My own anger helped me come up with the idea.”
Clear. But Fair?
Same guidelines for different people not effective kEnda rEvis-nixon STAFF WRITER
“R
avenscroft has the most lenient dress code for both girls and boys compared to all other independent schools I have been exposed to,” said Lee Owen, Assistant Head of upper School for Student Life. It may sound of absurd, but Owen is right. Ravenscroft does have one of the most tolerate dress code rules. For example, just across town at St. David’s School, there is a long list to what girls can and cannot wear; including guidelines for girls’ earrings. However, when it comes to weather the dress code is fair or not, there are a couple of issues. Two girls could be wearing the same pair of shorts, yet one could get dress coded because her fingertips come to a different spot than the other girl’s. We all know that different people have different body types, and the dress code should recognize that. Mr. Pruden has stated that there will be some changes coming . “The faculty has recognized that the fingertip rule is different for everyone. We need to find one rule that fits all,” stated Mr. Pruden. Even though there was not one change in the dress code this year, the effects that are taking place among the school are far more drastic than last year. The only difference is that the faculty is very focused on enforcing the dress code, unlike last year, when the Caroline teachers backed down after the first week of school. Margolis, ’12 Instead, they are still going strong; nearly two months Senior Caroline Margolis models into the school year. The big changes this year are the her new, comfy look that meets the Ravenscroft Dress Code standards. consequences for a dress code violation. Owen and all female faculty members were asked to stay Photo by Katherine Finney after morning meeting of the first Friday of the school year to clarify these new consequences and the fear of getting a 3rd violation is enough to keep most of us wearing jeans for the rest of the year instead of searching for items that follow the dress code. In the hallways, countless questions
Dress Code Enforced in Three Steps:
1st Infraction: Warning and changing into school provided sweats
2nd Infraction: Parents are called
3rd Infraction:
Private meeting with Doreen Kelly, Head of School
about the dress code can be overheard on a regular basis such as, “Are sweatpants more distracting than the original outfit?” “No, sweatpants are not more distracting than clothes that violate our dress code. Sweatpants are used to replace skirts or shorts that are too short and/or too tight, and wearing sweatpants is the best remedy for these infractions. We use Ravenscroft sweatpants and T-shirts because they are provided free of charge by the Athletic Department; the whole point is to stop the infractions, and the school needs to be cost-effective in this process. There is no perfect solution, but this is the most effective,” answered Owen. And, “Why is the dress code is being taken way more seriously this year?” ““Dress code enforcement is being taken more seriously this year due to the increasing lack of adherence over the past several years. Distracting clothes do not support our school’s mission or respect our academic institution. As the female population of our Upper School has discussed numerous times, choice of clothing has to do with time and place. When kids go to their place of worship, they dress accordingly; when they visit grandparents and/or relatives, they dress accordingly; when they go out with friends or on dates, they dress accordingly. School is no different; there are simple guidelines required that need to be respected by all. Our dress code provides opportunity for individuality within respectable boundaries,” clarified Owen. One could go through the different halls such as the English Hall and hear several people grumbling about why they’re angry about the new dress code restrictions. However, besides just talking about the problems, some girls in the junior and senior class have developed a new style to deal with this year’s stricter enforcement policies; long T-shirts, leggings, and sneakers. It’s safe to say that the dress code has caused a wave throughout the school this year; some of these opinions being supportive while some are opposing. There have been a lot less people walking around in sweatpants lately, which may be a sure sign that these new and harsher warnings are actually working.
Same 3” inseam J. Crew shorts...
Meet dress code guideline for Molly but not for Avery
Seniors Avery Karasiewicz and Molly Hull are wearing the same shorts, but obviously only Hull can wear them to school. Photo by Katherine Finney
Homecoming Dance Changes Students received an email from Bill Pruden, Head of Upper School, on Tuesday, October 11 that clearly explained the expectations for acceptable style of dance for the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October. 15: “Obviously attendance at the dance is not required but if you do choose to come, you should so with a full understanding of the rules. Too, we seek, as we have in recent past, to have the dancing be appropriate. We have talked with the DJ about the type of music that will be played and as we did as the end of last year we want to discourage the grinding style of dancing. Growing numbers of schools are eliminating dances from their programs amidst continuing concern about this issue, and in an effort to avoid this step we are asking you to dance in a way-- face to face-- that more accurately reflects the mutual respect that is a part of our school culture. We thank you for your cooperation and look forward to a fun evening for all attendees.”
During this year’s dance, many students were not happy with the music/dance and at one point, sat down on the floor to demonstrate their frustration. Nevarmore Online would like to know how you felt about the dance.
Please check the website to complete a survey about the dance.