Jeannette to get strict on students about new dress code

Jeannette senior Michael Mash says the school district's new dress code won't improve his grades.

The board believes that conservatively attired students make for a better educational experience. Mash disagrees.

"I wear mostly athletic shorts and T-shirts. I learn best when I'm comfortable. I think I'll be more uptight," he said, adding he researched the issue on the Web. "I didn't see anything on the Internet that said dress code had anything to do with superior academics."

The board voted, 5-3, last month to mandate uniforms throughout the district, starting Nov. 2.

School board President Shelly Beckner said the policy was necessary because students' wardrobes were becoming increasingly worse.

"The way they dressed got more atrocious," Beckner said. "They wear pajamas and slippers; their underwear is hanging out, bellies are hanging out. They're busting out all over. Our society's clothing is outrageous."

Beckner said the district recently has dealt with bullying, bomb threats and other issues, and says the dress code may help alleviate some problems.

"We just had so much trouble last year. We finally said, 'It's time to take back our school,'" she said. "Jeannette has always gotten a bad rap, but we've got good teachers and a fine education system. We've won tons of awards. It's time to start dressing the part."

The school district plans to strictly enforce the policy.

• For a first offense, parents will be called to bring a student proper clothes.

• For a second offense, parents will be called to bring proper clothes, and the student will be subject to an in-school suspension.

• For a third offense, parents are called, a one-day out-of-school suspension is imposed, and the student cannot return to school unless properly dressed.

• After three illegal absences for not complying with the policy, parents and the student must appear before the district judge.

"We're pretty serious," Beckner said.

Students who can't afford to buy the required clothing can shop at the St. Vincent de Paul store in Jeannette, where the uniform pieces will be available at affordable prices.

School Director Joseph Yorio, who voted against the dress code, said he believes the district has more pressing issues.

"This wasn't the time for uniforms," Yorio said. "We just got done with the teachers contract; we now have the custodial contract. We have other things to worry about. ... I just wasn't in favor of it."

Neither is Mash, who addressed the school board last month.

"This won't make matters any better. They always find ways to judge others," he said. "The wearing of school uniforms may give the younger students the impression that conformity is the way to prevent conflict, when they really need to learn how to get along with others that are different from them."

Larinda Weightman, mother of a high school student, thinks the policy sends the wrong message.

"Clothes don't make the man. It's not going to change who they are inside. You can't judge people by the way they're dressed," Weightman said. "We have a lot bigger problems than what they're wearing."

Jordan Ault, 17, said a student's wardrobe won't affect study habits.

"People who want to learn are still going to learn; people who don't want to learn aren't going to," said Ault, who will be a senior this year.

Jordan Westfall, 17, said he'll go with the flow.

"I'm a senior this year. It's not really a big deal to me. It doesn't matter to me," he said. "I really didn't think it was needed. No one really wants to wear a uniform. There were select students that really abused the dress code. Most of us went by the dress code. We just really need to address the dress code to those certain people."

Some parents like the new policy.

"As a parent of three children, I'm very pleased with the decision," said Caroline Johnston. "It's going to save us money. It will save us time and energy deciding, 'What are you going to wear?' ... It's a life lesson; we all have to follow rules."

"It's awesome. I think it's a good idea," said Kathleen Wolfe, a mother of two teenage students. "I think it will hold the parents more accountable for what the kids are wearing. The kids are still in an uproar about it.

"They're going to have to adapt. It's education. It's not a fashion show."

Polo shirts, turtlenecks, sweaters or dress shirts — solid navy blue or red only.

Dress pants or skirts — khaki or navy only.

Dress shorts — no higher than 3 inches above the knee, permitted May through September.

Socks — mandatory.

Belts — required if they are needed to keep pants secure.

Panty hose — girls may wear in natural shades.

Footwear — limited to dress shoes, boots and sneakers.

Sweatpants, low-riding pants, denim or cargo pants, sandals, flip-flops, slippers and sneakers with wheels.