There is always a lot of discussion about dress code in school. There are many different opinions on the dress code at Lowellville High School. After interviewing staff members: Mia DiRienzo Olson, Leslie Mercure, Jeannine Reamer, Tracie Parry, and Christine Sawicki all came to the same conclusion that they believe the dress code is necessary at Lowellville.
According to Superintendent Sawicki the dress code was already “put in place” and there was no point in changing it. She believes that we have a nice balance of what the students, parents, and teachers all like. Some like the dress code as is and wouldn’t change anything.
Mrs. Parry likes the dress code because she believes when other people come to our school they like to see how students wear their Lowellville gear. She says, “It shows so much pride.” She also says that speakers who come in always have something nice to say about our school spirit. Mrs. Parry likes that it could give people who are open enrollment a sense of belonging. Mrs. Reamer also enjoys the dress code; she says it looks nice when students are in uniform.
Often the girls feel as if the dress code is more strict for them in comparison with the boys’ dress code. When asking some staff members if they think leggings should be allowed there were some mixed feelings. Mrs. Parry doesn’t think leggings are that bad and doesn’t see a problem with them, but Mrs. Mercure believes that it's a “slippery slope”. She thinks that if they put something like this in place someone could possibly abuse it.
Ms. DiRienzo believes that there is a difference between leggings and yoga pants, however, she claims “they are too indistinguishable from one another.” Although she would approve of athletic wear instead.
Ms. DiRienzo is all about self-expression. She believes that our dress code is good, but students don’t have enough room to express themselves. She loves when we have dress down days because it allows her to see students' personalities.
Some parents agree with teachers and administrators that our school’s dress code is a good idea. Mr. Corey Yon and Mrs. Catherine Lavernuick agreed that there is nothing wrong with the dress code. They both like it and believe that it is convenient for parents and has less expenses. When asked if there was anything they would change about the dress code Mr. Yon and Mrs. Lavernuick agreed they wouldn’t mind having hoodies again. Mrs. Lavernuick agreed that hoodies should be added again because most kids wear hoodies and can wear them outside of school.
Mr. Yon says, “Yes, my kids' closets are full of Rocket hoodies and I don’t see them as a safety issue.” Other than the hoodies, they wouldn’t change anything and are fine with the way the dress code is.
Mrs. Lavernuick believes that the dress code could be more lenient by adding hoodies and leggings.
On the other hand, Mr. Yon believes that the dress code should not be more lenient. Mr. Yon says, “the more lenient it becomes the farther away you get from a dress code.”