Handbook additions tighten CHS code

Great more micro-managing required of the CHS staff, and less teaching. My dress code for students is simple: students should be well-groomed and clean with footwear worn at all times.

Again, the term free country is becoming more of a thing of the past. There is no need to have 61 pages of a school handbook. i don't even remember having a school handbook when in high school in the 90's at a different class B school. sounds like the faculty and administration has no control there so they need to detail it out to feel a sense of security.

i can tell u right now that it will be inforced for certain people and u all know who im talking about.

Cityguy,
Micromanaging?? I will call it code of conduct! This gang crap, street gear, should not be tolerated within the classroom. How are the teachers suppose to teach when kids are acting out of control and wearing outrageous clothing articles? I think it's excellent to help control the behavior of students...

I think it is an excellent idea. It clearly will not be as strict as a uniform, but will limit the suggestive and inappropriate clothing, as well as certain labels/styles that are becoming gang related.

The children, and thats what they are afterall, children, need to be reminded they are not there to make a fashion statement, they are there for an education. Students cannot get a good education when they are concerned about if they are wearing the wrong color or style of clothing because they might get in fights/trouble with other students over something so petty.

As for the handbook, 61 pages is excessive, however if they are all necessary, so be it. The students rarely follow them anyway and most parents don't take the time of day to read them to help enforce rules...and that is the sad part.

There wouldn't be a need for this if some parents paid a little more attention to their kids. Most of it is common sense. Unfortunately some people need it spelled out for them. There will also always be the students that want to see how far they can push it.

My son had to call me to bring him a new shirt on the last day of school at CMS because of a t-shirt that was from a poker run for a cancer non-profit organization. He had worn the shirt all year, yet it suddenly was a problem because someone decided that the skull wearing a joker hat was gang related. Tell me that isn't micro-managing.
Being the "rebellious" young man he is, he wore a full English schoolboy uniform on the first day the next year- and almost got sent home for that too.

MOST of the local kids are good kids who simply want to wear clothing that expresses their personal style. A small contingency will dress in something inappropriate-whether to look "sexier", to represent gang affiliation, or just to get the school staff riled up. Those same kids will continue to do things to draw that attention whether you write 61 pages of rules or 6001.

There is better use for school employee's time, and our tax dollars.

To: rebel with a cause It's parents/people like you that cause the school to HAVE to do this because you have no concern about what your kids wear. Oh, it's just a phase, it's ok if they want to look like slobs, wear death symbols or look like tramps. They're just "expressing" themselves. Yeah, whatever. Expressing that they're easy, total slobs, death seekers?

I say give our school board one big Atta Boy, but go one step further. Not only make the students responsible for their attire, but the parents as well. Some of those kids look like they've slept for a week in their clothes and some (not all) of the girls look like they should be selling on a street corner. Don't back down teachers, stand your ground!

I am all for a dress code. I would love to see some kind of uniform but i wont hold my breath. Sit outside CMS or CHS and you will see violations daily. Why are these students allowed to get away with breaking the school rules? My son was required to change his shirt during the last week school. As with the earlier post he had worn this shirt through out the school year and it had never been a problem. When I got the phone call regarding the shirt, I made it clear that he would never wear the shirt to school again but also that he had worn this shirt MANY times during the school year and why was it an issue now. The administrator told me that she didnt find the shirt offensive and would not have required him to change but another(older) member of staff found it offensive. I praise the administrator for backing her member of staff. We have many different generations working in our schools to educate our children BUT personal opinion (which varies greatly with age) should not be the call on the dress code. Staff need to all be on the same page and enforce this dress code fairly for ALL students.

I'm all for this! it's about time, thank you CHS!

Look beneath the surface of all of this and dress codes are usually aimed at not allowing the female students to dress too sluttily. If allowed it would create a hormonal imbalance in the male student and teaching populations, which interferes with the learning process. The code for the boy is just collateral damage. This is government keeping your daughters from being with child. Be thankful.

As a student at the high school, I can tell you that teachers already put a large focus on the dress code. Becoming more strict on what students wear will only make the teachers focus MORE on enforcing the dress code and LESS on teaching their students. I was told by one of my former teachers that part of the new dress code was for hoodies to be banned because of the texting issue. Although I will agree that this will HELP the problem, it will by NO MEANS prevent it. Kids text behind desks, textbooks, when the teacher is turned around, any time they can. Banning hoodies is hardly going to help the problem. Most of these new dress code rules will only cause kids to want to dress the way they want. I honestly don't know of a High School Student that enjoys following the dress code. Kids will try to rebel no matter what you do. Forcing them to change their clothes whenever they break the rules will only make them more mad. I don't understand how the administration thinks this will help. I personally find it a ridiculous waste of time. I don't know of any students that think any other students' clothes are "too distracting" so you can't really say it's an issue while teaching students. Just my personal opinion. Maybe instead of wasting tax money on enforcing new dress code rules, they can use the money to fix the leaking ceilings on the top floor.

Parents like me. You mean parents of a student who is on the honor roll (in advance placement classes),is a Boy Scout, holds two jobs, is in Marching Band, and who shows more respect for adults than most adults do for each other. But because he wears clothing that doesn't fit into the conformity standards YOU prefer he must be an "easy,total slob, death seeker".

Many a person who wore expressive clothing as a teen has turned out to be a productive member of society. And many a person who wore a uniform or something close to it has turned out to be a bum. What you wear when you are 13-17 years old has very little affect on how you turn out to be as an adult. It also has little affect on your ability to be a good student or good human being.

Love uniforms!!! Grab the polo and pants and out the door you go. No complaining of brand name!!! Makes shopping simpler and cheaper also makes mornings easier cause there is nothing to decide over.

It should be uniforms for all to get rid of this ridiculous discussion. Let them focus on school work instead of who is wearing what. Since children's clothing has become suggestive, it's time to switch to uniforms. No hassle with what do I wear today?, and no worrying if the outfit is appropriate. When they get out of school, are working or in college, and are buying their own clothes, they can "express" themselves any way they want.

Kitty I totally agree with you 100% the uniforms would be stress free for the parents because make it simple and no one could point fingers at anybody and yes when they graduate and hopefully are mature adults they can dress however they want. Life is to short to have all thes stupid gangs and fighing for stupid reasons instead the kids should be enjoyiny their lives.

I graduated from Scotus over five years ago, and although I hated uniforms at the time, they are definitely the way to go. It was always so easy getting up in the morning and knowing exactly what I was going to wear! It also allotted more money to go toward the fun clothes that I could wear on the weekends and for other occasions outside of school. Even throughout my time in college I would wear sweats, t-shirts and hoodies to class, because I hated trying to figure out what to wear!!! As someone on here mentioned previously - high school (and still in college) isn't about making fashion statements; it is about getting an education!

I graduated from CHS in 1967. Even back in the "good old days" students wanted to express themselves. Except for a very few students, we all covered up what needed to be covered without the need for a hand book, because we had something that some of today's youth lack, self respect. This day and age some of the youth seem to think that going to school half naked is the norm--it is not!!! We all went through the competition of the "in thing to wear" Unfortunately, it has been taken to the extreme in some cases. I know I'm old, but come on kids, where is your sense of dignity? I am sure the handbook also states appropriate language. I can't tell you how many times I have been out and about and heard a group of teenagers, both male and female use the "F" bomb like they were talking about the weather. My advise for the students----follow the rules, it seems sooooooo simple!! The rules in a high school hand book are nothing compared to the rules in the real world when you are an adult. There are some parents that would benefit from reading the handbook, perhaps it would help them to raise more dignified children. The ultimate responsibility falls on the shoulders of the parents. After all, we are talking about our children.

I am a HUGE fan of a uniform! People say they are too expensive and they do not allowchildren to express their individuality! Those are such poor excuses! Unifoms are way cheaper- becasue they will alyways be in style, and you do not have to worry about "name brands". Students expressing themselves is the reason behind the dress code!! Solid color polo shirts come in a varity of colors! Save the gang shirts and micro skirts for the weekends!!

It is a shame that 61 pages are necessary to set dress code and rules. If parents are not able to set necessary standards then the school has to set standards. I have been involved in education settings for nearly a dozen years and some of the clothing worn even in elementary classs needs addressed. Suggestive clothing does not belong in kids dress. I know of cases that kids pass dress code inspection befor leaving home only to change on the way to school. The parents were unaware of what their children were wearing to school. Require the parents come to school and see what their kids are wearing. Some parents are shocked.

Unifors would be a good idea in elementary and Middle School. At High School the dress uniform could be as simple as Shirt either white or blue- no art work or words. Pants, skirt or slaxs contrasting colors. Shoes and soxs. All clothing clean and neat.

The Middle & High School Parent/Student handbook at a school I teach at has a total of 34 pages. The Dress code is 1 and 1/2 pages.

The Final note:
" The administration reserves the right to determine the cceptability of school fasions, clothing and hair styles. All clothing must be unreveling in cut, fit, and texture. Appropriateness is an administrative decision. If the students personal appearance does not comply with the school dress code, the parent will be asked to bring an appropriate change of clothing or to take the child home for the day."

The dress code also applys to dress at school activities.

Students will do better in their studies when effective dress codes are implemented and will reflect a positive image in the community in which they reside.

Good luck CPS in implementation of your rules in the new school year.

I would have never stood for wearing a uniform to school. I have always been one for people to be able to express themelves--to a point. When I attended CHS you weren't supposed to wear tanktops, or really short skirts or shorts. Which is understandable--you're at school, not at a night club.

And when it comes to "gang clothing", I think a standard should be set, so that way not every guy wearing baggy pants with a huge tshirt is sent home to change.

If the banning of wearing a hoodie to school were to go into effect, I would think that is ridiculous. I attended CHS when major construction was going on, and I would have froze to death if I wasn't able to wear a hoodie. I don't know how it is now, but everyone is different.

Overall, I believe that every student has a right to dress how they want, to a point. And hairstyles should never be discriminated against. High school is the time to figure out who you are.

I never knew if some of those girls were going to class at school or to work a shift at Hooters.

No you should not have to have all of those pages just to tell people how they can or cannot dress. However, when you see the dress or undress of students, there really is no choice.

Since the parents don't do it, the school has to. Kind of like the rest of parenting that they think the teachers should do for them until they disagree with something that was done (like tell the kid he/she did something wrong or he/she gets in trouble).

Get off your buns and live right. Clean clothes, footwear, pants cannot be hanging mid thigh, no t shirts with sayings or pictures on them, no gang wear, no bling bling, no caps, no short skirts or low neck tops. Good grief, how hard is that to do?

I think they should have uniforms, records show that schools that do that have seen great improvement in a number of areas. Guidance and discipline are two major areas of parenting so seriously lacking these days and kids are longing for it and need it whether they realize it or not.

If there was a standard dress in place- the teachers could focus more on teaching and not inforcing the dress code- or lack there of!

geeee this news would have been great about a month ago when i was shopping for my kids. come on people get it together it seems slow and low is the tempo hear just like everything in this town.for all you uniform lovers give the kids the rights they deserve.i'll bet over half of you are the proud parents oof uniform kids!

I no longer have kids in school but try to support issues beneficial to the Columbus youth. BUT after reading the comments of parents on this board - I was just a little disgusted as I wrote out our $1400 check today for 1/2 of our property taxes (to support our schools). Parents - Be Parents! We all live with dress codes - the kids need to learn that. I personally hope the teaches and administration spend the first 2 weeks of school enforcing the handbook to the dotted i even if they get nothing else done. Rules are rules and kids need to learn to obey them whether they like it or not and parents need to support those rules or send their kids somewhere else. What a disgrace that our school faculty has to take such extreme measures.

Many of you have made comments about only allowing plain t-shirts, with no words or pictures on them. You do realize that means no Husker shirts would be allowed either, right? If the rule applies, it applies to all, even your precious N. If you feel your child should wear a uniform, send them to a private or parochial school. I choose to send my child to public school, and I choose to let him dress in a way that expresses his personality. No-this doesn't mean I let him wear whatever he wants, or be dirty or crude or gangsta. But if he wants to wear a hoodie, or a t-shirt with ac/dc on it, or a pair of distressed jeans (which many people pay big bucks to buy that way) then I am not going to stop him. If texting in class is a problem, have the kids check the phones at the door, not the hoodies. If dressing too provocatively is an issue-have the girl put on a hoodie, it will cover her up. Where does it stop? Do we make them all have the same hair cut and color? Do we take away their makeup? How about making them all wear the same underwear so nobody can have on the wrong ones when they change for gym. Yes, I am being extreme, but hopefully my point is not being missed.

I am a fornmer CHS student, who at the time I attended, would have loved having to wear uniforms, wake up late throw on a uniform, no thinking, just go. I attended less than 10 years ago and the whole dress code thing wasn't really an issue. We were all there to learn. Sure there were those "clicks" that had to have the name brand clothes, perfect hair and the latest style but nothing like what it is today. These are changing times. I understand the parents point who want their children to be able to express themselves. But drive by Scotus when school is out, and sure everyone is dressed similar but there are still ways to express yourselves within a uniform school. Why should our school systems be forced to have to take time out of their classes to send kids to the office/home to change. I think that it is absolutely insane that people are so against a more strict dress code. Our students are going to school daily with "gang bangers". Why should these students be allowed to intimidate the other students by dressing a certain way. Or why should our students have to go to school and get an eyeful of what should be covered up. Our children are growing up in a way different world than even i did 10 years ago and as times change so should the rules. I think that it is a great idea the have a more strict dress code and hopefully by the time my two children are in school they will go to school in uniforms

I too went to a public school. We could wear pretty much what we wanted to. T-shirts had to be appropriate no beer slogans or anything like that. But you could wear jeans and t-shirts.....it was fine. Would uniforms been better??? You bet, get dressed without having to worrying about being compared to one another. Back in my day if you did not have the name brand jean, it was frowned upon. Yes you can be your own person in uniforms....accessorize with jewelry, tennis shoes that you like, and you can wear makeup, as long as it is not a distraction to others. I think this develops self respect. You do not need to show off body parts in school. You also do not need to wear your gangster clothes to school. That can be an after school/weekend thing if your parents allow it. School is not a fashion show it is where you learn and hopefully learn more about yourself though self respect and obedience of rules. Believe me there are more rules when you get out of school then when you are there. It is not so bad as you think.

Craig- When you where shopping for your kids school clothes did you buy gang related or suggestive clothing? If not you are probably okay, if so, this is the reason there is a 61 page book about how to dress for school. All you parents who think your child should be able to express themselves through "inappropriate" clothing need parenting classes. Please start being an adult and parent your child!!

By wearing the same uniforms, the CHILDREN would have to learn to "express" themselves with thier personality rather than clothes....duh...

I am a 2003 graduate of Columbus High and would have loved to have uniforms while I was in school. No decision to make and as far as "expressing" myself, I did that by being a good student and person and participating in school activites and having a respectable job. The kids that want to "express" themselves are usually doing so in a negative manner. Like it was mentioned before, it does not matter where you work after school there WILL be a dress code that you have to follow! They might as well start getting it through their heads that there is authority and if you don't like it you better plan on having no money cuz you won't have a job! Those poor teacher! What a nightmare to deal with the little punks that they deal with. They shouldn't have to be babysitting them on what they wear, they are already having to do that the other 4 hours of the school day. It is REALLY sad that there are parents on here making comments about how stupid it is. You guys are the reason our teachers have such hard jobs. Do your job at home and the teachers could do theirs in the classroom. Grow up and get a clue! I'm only 25 and I know that when my child enters school they will know to respect the rules and if that means uniforms then so be it! Big deal! They can change when they are on your time!