Past Principal Points
Dress Code Principles &
Practice
A
number of parents asked to receive the list of principles which I used at our
last PT CARE meeting (Nov. 28, 2002), so I am including them with my Principal
Points this month. I think most parents were pleased with the opportunity to
have an exchange of views on this topic. Clearly, it is an issue where we are
divided in our opinions and about which people have strong feelings. I am pleased that we were able to discuss things within a
spirit of peace and respect. As Christians we should never fear listening to
one another, and never miss an opportunity to grow and learn from one another.
The CARE meeting provides those kinds of opportunities and is healthy for our
school.
For
those who were not at the meeting, or for those who left early, the bulk of the
discussion centred on standards for boys’ hair. (If you left early, the second
half of the meeting took a different direction. During the first half, the
majority spoke in favor of giving kids freedom of choice. In the second half,
the majority supported setting standards for them.) The idea of uniforms was
introduced, but the discussion didn’t stay there long but went back to hair and
dress code in general. The only reason for
focusing on boys’ hair particularly was that I happened to ask a few students
to trim their hair a bit, and they took exception to it. (By the way, I am
thrilled to finally get accused of picking on the boys about dress code!
Historically, it’s been the girls’ parents who have been upset with me. :)
At
the meeting, I tried to not interject my personal position or sway the
discussion in a particular direction, but I thought I would use this
opportunity to share what I think, for what it’s worth.
On Uniforms: I have mixed views. We don’t
need them for discipline or academics; however, I expect both of these would
improve slightly. I do not want our students wearing something that they would
not feel proud to wear. I would not want the community to view us as an elite,
exclusive private school. I like the simplicity of uniforms, and I like the
sense of community they bring. I especially like the
image of professionalism and excellence they convey. Presently, we have
wonderful students who, by and large, love the Lord deeply, but I think the way
some of our students dress does not convey that to the public. If it came to a
vote, I would probably vote yes to uniforms, but it’s not something I feel
strongly about. (The idea that uniforms would cause some students to leave does
not move me. Uniforms will draw in a certain segment of new people as well.
Schools that have made the change have seen their enrollments and donations
increase.)
On hair and dress in
general:
I feel that what I do as a teacher is one of the most important ministries in
the world. I truly believe that I am impacting the world for good by impacting
kids for Christ. When I walk into a
classroom and see sloppily dressed kids, I feel my profession and work is
demeaned.
It just seems disrespectful to me. Not only do I not like hair in the eyes, but
I don’t like certain styles that seem either sloppy or just plain attention
getters. It troubles me when parents are asking about our policy and don’t feel
pride when they see our students in public. For each one that raises a concern,
I suspect that there are others in the community who feel the same way. I think
it probably hurts our testimony in the community a bit.
On Dress Codes: As a teacher or
principal, I find it much easier to have a rule. The more specific the better, so
that there can be no confusion. Then it’s easy to spot the kids who are
“breaking the rules.” However, as a “disciple
maker” I much prefer having principles. I’d much rather have the kind of vague standard
we have today that speaks of moderation, and not causing offense, and abiding
by community standards. I can then talk to students on an individual basis when
(in my judgment) they violate these principles. However, the trouble with that,
of course, is that it requires me (or the staff or board) to make these
judgment calls. And it requires students to trust and respect the authorities
God has placed in their lives and to be willing to abide by those calls even
when it bugs them and when there is no specific rule that they have violated.
It’s not so clear; it might not be enforced with strict consistency, it might
not be “fair”, etc. Nevertheless, I would prefer the ambiguities of living by
principle and working through problems as they arise than the comfort of nice,
clear, detailed rules.
Dress Code Principles
& Practice
Ø
Biblical Absolutes: Modest, Inoffensive, Considerate, Moderation,
Submissive
o
Dress should not be a cause of stumbling
o
Dress should not call undue attention to an individual
o
Dress should not distract from learning
o
Dress standards should not be extreme
o
Dress standards should be supported by all
Ø
Community Standards: Whatever We Decide
o
Each school, place of work, sports team, restaurant, etc. can make
its own standards for what it feels will further their mission
o
These standards can apply to employees and/or customers
o
Whatever standards are set will invariably have arbitrary elements
(color, style, length, etc.)
Ø
Personal Convictions: Whatever You Decide
o
Within the boundaries of the previous two, each individual is free to
dress as he/she pleases
o
Each individual will need to temporarily adapt to the various
community standards he/she encounters in different settings (wedding, funeral,
evening out, sporting event, etc.)
|
DRESS CODE SURVEY
RESULTS |
||
|
|
|
|
|
HAIR |
Number |
Percent |
|
1. The school should have no standards for hair length or color. |
11 |
11.3% |
|
2. The school should leave standards for hair length & color
to the discretion of staff. |
28 |
28.9% |
|
3. The school should set standards for hair color but not length. |
15 |
15.5% |
|
4. The school should set standards for hair length and color. |
46 |
47.4% |
|
4a. Boys' hair should be shorter than shoulder length. |
19 |
19.6% |
|
4b. Boys' hair should be shorter than over the collar. |
10 |
10.3% |
|
4c. Boys' hair should be shorter than over the ears. |
4 |
4.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
UNIFORMS |
|
|
|
1. I am NOT interested in uniforms at all. |
42 |
43.3% |
|
2. I think the topic of uniforms needs to be examined and a
proposal made. |
27 |
27.8% |
|
3. I AM interested in uniforms for all grades. |
28 |
28.9% |
|
4. I AM interested in uniforms for secondary grades (gr. 7-12). |
5 |
5.2% |
|
a. I would prefer a "dressy" look. |
0 |
0.0% |
|
b. I would prefer a "casual" look. |
36 |
37.1% |
Analysis: Responses do not total
to 100% because more than one option was selected. Clearly parents do not want the
school to abandon setting some standards about hair length or color. A
plurality of parents feel that the school should address both length and color,
but there is little consensus beyond that. A significant number feel that it
should be left to the discretion of staff. It may be that another more specific
survey will be needed to clarify where parents want to go on this.
On
uniforms, there is a significant minority that opposes them entirely. A small
majority either favors them or wants further exploration of the issue. Casual
is preferred over dressy.
This
information, along with a summary of all the comments will be reviewed by the
board in the coming weeks and months. In addition, I will be speaking to the secondary
students in an upcoming chapel and getting their viewpoint as well. One final thought: My deepest hope is that, at the end of the day,
we (everyone) will agree to fully support whatever policy the Board sets as
well as the staff and administration as they try to interpret and enforce it.
Principal,
Copyright © 2002/2003 Airdrie Koinonia Christian
School Last modified: December 10,2002