Walnut Hills High School
Volume CVIII, Issue 3
October 24, 2013
Short shorts cause short tempers
ALEX PERSIANI/CHATTERBOX
Students’ outfits cause confusion over what is acceptable and what is not. “[The dress code’s] enforcement is sporadic and really just a matter of being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time,” says SENIOR Erin Maglecic. Hannah Shaw, ‘14 At the beginning of each school year, the sweltering heat of August magnifies the attention paid to the dress code. As the summer weather fades away, miscommunication between students and the administration toward the dress code remains. “[The dress code’s] enforcement is sporadic and really just a matter of being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time,” says SENIOR Erin Maglecic. The students are not the only ones confused. AP Psychology teacher Kathy Noland says, “I think teachers are confused about how to proceed with [disciplinary] action, so I don’t see any teachers calling out any students about [the] dress code.” Administration sought to fix the problem this year by creating a new policy that attempts to simplify the problem and eliminate the constant discussion of whether or not a student’s attire is impeding on the learning process. This year, the detention slips feature a space for a dress code violation. “If a student is inappropriately dressed, [teachers] can assign a detention for that,” says 9th and 10th grade administrator Sally
Thurman. The slip is supposed to “[stop] all interruption of instruction,” she says. Even with a policy of how to handle dress code violators, there is still an issue of what is considered a violation. Whether Spandex is an appropriate material for pants and at what point does cleavage actually distract from the learning process are questions left unanswered by the written dress code. When it comes to deciding what is appropriate and what is not, Thurman describes it as “one of those subjects where it’s almost impossible to define.” Without a clear definition of what students can and cannot wear, students and teachers are left to their own discretion of deciding what is appropriate. Noland says that “maybe [enforcement] should not be a teacher responsibility but more an administrator responsibility.” However, Maglecic says that “administrators see your clothing [not often enough] to deal with the issue completely on their own.” The dress code is a part of the school’s code of conduct, which is part of what makes violation of it punishable by detention. The code of conduct lies within the student handbook, which attempts to de-
24 hours of walking the Marx Jazlyn Day, ‘14 Grab your running shoes, swimsuits and party clothes and head to the field on October 26. Walnut24 is arriving sooner than you think. Walnut24 is an annual fundraising event held in the Marx Stadium at Walnut Hills. It will begin at 11 a.m. and end at midnight for those who are not staying for the lock-in. Kevin Blount, ‘15 says that Walnut24 “was fun” last year and looks forward to this year’s events. This year, the events include a field-day, a late-night DJ dance party and an optional overnight lock-in for juniors and SENIORS. There will also be a raffle and prize extravaganza. According to
whhscbox.com
Nicole Dyehouse, coordinator of Walnut24, it will be “the most fun students will have on campus all year!” If you register online, you must bring a copy of your registration form and ticket to the gate in order to gain entrance. You also must have your liability waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Drop-off and pick-up will take place in Lot D. The junior-SENIOR lock-in will take place from midnight to 4:30 a.m. “Without the sophomores being [at the lock-in], it will be more fun, because we are closer to the juniors than [the] sophomores,” says SENIOR Kendal Fitzgerald. The sleeping locations
fine the “undefinable” with a brief The purpose of the dress feeling, in Maglecic’s words, “oblist of rules for the dress code. code is to provide a business-like jectified.” Physical copies of the student environment to promote learn“I think the exact words, when handbook are provided only to ing. “When people are paying my outfit was being inspected, incoming seventh graders and new more attention to [clothes], it were, ‘It's not a bad problem to students at the beginning of each hinders what we’re trying to [do] have,’” recalls Maglecic from a school year. in the classrooms as teachers,” time when she was called to the If students wish to view it says Noland. But the experience office for a shirt that was deemed online, the 2012-2013 version of being observed by a room full inappropriate. of the handbook may be found of adults trying to decide whether on Walnut’s website, <www. their outfits are appropriate or not Continued on page four walnuthillseagles.com>, under is something that leaves students “Administration.” — Page 15 of the Student Handbook The 2013-2014 The primary purpose of the school is Some examples of inappropriate version is cureducation, and all matters of dress and appearance include: rently not availgrooming must be weighed against that - Hats, hoods or headgear not religious in able online. Still, single objective. To that end, students nature (in class or assemblies) Maglecic says, “No should avoid dress that distracts atten- Underwear worn as outerwear one knows exactly tion from the orderly pursuit of knowl- - Sleepwear, including slippers what constitutes edge, disrupts the educational process or - Pants which expose undergarments or as inappropriate, constitutes a threat to individual safety or skin which often leaves safety of the group. In addition, students - Leggings or tights worn as pants (unless people breaking the are expected to maintain high standards covered to mid-thigh) rules without even of personal cleanliness and hygiene by - Clothing with offensive slogans, knowing it.” making sure they are neither offensive to cartoons, illustrations or diagrams, that The dress code others nor a threat to the health of the depicts or promotes illegal activities, prodalso leaves a division school community. When a student’s ucts or violence between genders. appearance is unacceptable, the student - See-through or strapless outerwear and “Girls get away with will be removed from class and required rips or tears above the knee more with the dress to change clothes. Exceptions must be - Clothing that exposes cleavage, breasts, code,” says Noland, approved in advance by an administra- buttocks, midriff or genital area; students “but when there’s a tor. An administrator will make the must be covered from shoulders to middress code violation, final judgment on the appropriateness of thigh it’s almost always student dress. - Any clothing items that detract from the a girl who gets in educational process. trouble for it.”
Dress Code
will be in set rooms. In those rooms, the lights will be dimmed and there will be mats on the ground. It is recommended that you bring your own pillows, sleeping bags and/or blankets. Food will be provided. The night will consist of pool games in the swimming pool, movies on the plaza and games in the gym, such as “glow in the dark” basketball. The lock-in will be “more laidback than ever,” according to principal Jeffrey Brokamp. All the money raised by Walnut24 supports stipends for club advisors and coaches. This is the part of the budget which the school is responsible for raising. Without advisors, there are no clubs. The goal Walnut24 is trying
to reach this year is $30,000. The minimum donation to attend will be $25. For seventh through tenth graders, the cost of attending Walnut24 with a T-shirt is an extra $10 to the orignal entry price. If you are a junior or SENIOR attending the lock-in, the cost will be $35, but if you want a shirt as well the cost will be $45. Come out and enjoy this eventful day of walking the Marx and the eventful night of the juniorSENIOR lock-in. Cincinnati “Run like Hell” will also take place on Saturday, October 26. This event will cause road closures around Walnut from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For any questions regarding detailed routes, visit <www.cincyrunlikehell.com>.
Hannah Shaw, Editor-in-Chief
ALEX PERSIANI/CHATTERBOX
Josh Hardin, Assistant Athletic Director, shows his spirt for Walnut24.
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