Brockton schools draft new dress code, scaling back clothing restrictions
BROCKTON - Brockton Public Schools released an updated proposal for next school year's dress code policy for Brockton High School, after the district received backlash for its drastic suggestion last month.
In July, the district proposed a dress code for the high school's 2023-24 school year that would have restricted student's from wearing anything other than Polo shirts or button-ups with tan, black or gray plants.
District administrators held a public forum in July, where many outraged parents and students expressed their concerns about the policy.
"Students don't feel like they're getting their diversity anymore," said rising Brockton High senior Riley McEvoy.
The district scaled back the restrictions in the new proposal, which shares many similarities with the 2022-23 dress code policy, which several Brockton High students and Thomas said was hardly enforced.
"Through all the years I've been here I don't think anyone's been kicked out of class for what they were wearing," McEvoy said.
The Brockton School Committee Policy Subcommittee is expected to vote on the policy on Tuesday evening.
What was in the first draft?
By the end of last school year, Thomas and several students denounced the "ridiculous" outfits some kids would wear in the warmer months of the year.
"You thought you were at the beach," Thomas said at July's public forum. "I was appalled by some of the outfits that I saw."
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The first policy said that all students' shorts, skirts and pants would need to be knee-length and either black, gray or tan. All students would be required to wear neutral-colored Polos or button-down shirts tucked into their pants and no oversized clothes would be allowed.
"Personally speaking, I don't look good in that," McEvoy said.
McEvoy said a petition against the suggested dress code circulated the student body and received roughly 800 signatures.
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New proposed dress code
After the district received criticism for the first proposal, a new policy was posted on the school district's website. The draft gives much more freedom to students to wear clothing that matches their personal style, and the policy no longer forces students to wear exclusively Polos or tan pants.
"Our dress code seeks to balance our students’ self-expression and individualism with the need to maintain a safe and welcoming learning environment for all," the new policy states.
The first draft sought to make students easier to identify for administrators and security staff as violence has become a larger issue within the school. Thomas said hoods and hats made it difficult to follow up on instances of violence.
"We reaffirm our commitment to equity and inclusivity by explicitly stating that students are permitted to dress in a manner consistent with their gender identity," the draft states. "Furthermore, students shall have a right to express themselves by the dress and hair style of their own choosing provided students meet their responsibility to dress and groom in a manner that conforms to the reasonable and acceptable standards of health."
According to the policy students are not allowed to wear:
Any apparel or head covering which inhibits a staff member’s or emergency responder’s ability to quickly identify the wearer. This includes but is not limited to hats, hoods, or bandanas. Exceptions will be provided by the Associate Principal of Climate and Culture for documented religious or medical reasons or identified disabilities.
Gang‐related clothing, articles, symbols, or visible gang tattoos.
Any item that encourages the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs, and/or other illegal or violent activities.
Any item which references sexually provocative or explicit content.
Any item which causes disorder or disruption of the school or creates a hostile environment for others at school.
Jewelry and/or accessories that could cause injury.
Hooded coats, jackets or hoodies unless a modification is offered by the principal or their designee due to extenuating circumstances, such as medical or religious reasons or extreme weather conditions. These items must be kept in students’ lockers when a modification is not provided.
Clothing should provide appropriate body coverage. Bareback, midriff and lowcut shirts, short shorts, and pants with rips above the knee are not permitted. In addition, attire that reveals undergarments, and garments that are made of see‐through materials (mesh, sheer fabrics) without a blouse/shirt underneath are not allowed. Clothing must cover undergarments when sitting, standing or bending.
"In most cases, if a student’s attire does not comply with this policy, a private conversation will be held with the student and the involved staff member or associate principal," the new draft states. "The primary goal of the conversation is to educate, not to punish."
Disciplinary action and the old policy
The high school's dress code for the 2022-23 school year was similar to the recently proposed policy. Similar types of clothing were prohibited:
Students should be dressed and appropriately covered so that they do not interfere with the health, safety, and general welfare of the school or cause a distraction to the educational process
Hats and hoods are not to be worn in the building at any time. They are to be placed in assigned lockers or one’s bag. Students may wear hooded sweatshirts or shirts but may not wear the hoods up or covering their heads or faces in the building.
Clothing which has language or designs which are explicitly violent, obscene, sexually suggestive or offensive to individuals or groups or that advertise alcohol or illegal materials is prohibited.
Clothing, pins, insignias, colors, or emblems that identify them as a member of a gang is prohibited
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The student handbook states that: "Any student in violation of the dress code may call a parent for appropriate clothing or sign out sweatpants and a T-shirt from the Assistant Dean’s office. The sweatpants and T-shirt must be returned to the Dean’s office at the end of the day."
"Exceptions to the dress code may be made by the BHS administration."
According to the student handbook, if a student receives a "Level 1 violation" there will be an in-classroom intervention such as a teacher's detention, a verbal reminder of the policy, a "Behavior Reflection Activity" or a call home.
A "Level 2 violation" calls for office referral to the associate principal of climate and culture.
Despite the handbook's guidelines, students often receive no consequences for violating the dress code.
"Some of the outfits I've seen are ridiculous," said Wacilla Moniz, a rising junior at Brockton High. "A lot of teachers here do not know when to step up."
The new draft touches on the enforcement of the dress code:
Enforcement of the dress code should be done in the least restrictive manner so as to reduce disruption to the student’s school day, minimize the loss of instructional time, and preserve the respect and dignity of both the student and school community.
Enterprise staff writer Christopher Butler can be reached by email at cbutler@enterprisenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton High dress code draft: Polo shirts, tan pants not required
