Students fight for new dress code

By Ahmiyah S. Byers (News Editor) and Kaleigh Simmons (Photo Editor)

A popular topic among students this year is the dress code. Questions lead to more confusion about what students should and could wear.

As a result of students pushing for back against dress code, they can at least temporarily, wear blankets. Valerie Ruiz sports one in class.

At the beginning of the year, students sat through a Student Code of Conduct meeting with Assistant Principal Ms. Marquetta Phillips of Student Services. The main topic was the dress code and how students should abide by it for this school to thrive. In the sophomore girl’s class meeting, many girls were dress-coded upon entering the auditorium. Near the middle of the meeting, two girls were escorted out because of their attire. Many were shocked by the action and confused by the suddenness of the ‘call out.’

“All IDs need to be visible; if you are not in the dress code or do not have your ID, please stay seated,” Ms. Phillips said after the meeting.

Usually, students dress for comfort, sometimes sporting in flashy clothes. Those same flashy clothes are the same reason some students get dress-coded occasionally. Schools are intended to be a safe and comfortable place. But, some students feel the opposite because of the school’s dress code policy.

“The school does not allow students to be comfortable in an environment they should be comfortable in,” student Anton Burkett said.

The dress code at Crete-Monee High School is unequal. Some students wear vulgar clothing, while others are dress-coded for traditional attire. Freshman Ayeli Gallegos advocates for a fair dress code.

At Crete-Monee, many African-American students are being dress-coded for wearing cultural or simple clothing such as a bonnet. Some students have observed that those breaking the dress code most often, or the most ‘defiant, are African-American.

Not just the students have an opinion on the dress code. Some teachers have noticed how the dress code has changed over the years.

“Times have changed, and the clothes people wear now have too. Students are more expressive in what they wear to school,” English teacher Ms. Rivero said when asked about the change in dress code.

It all started when a select group of students gathered and made a group chat on Snapchat to change the code.

Three years ago, students had started a protest in the middle of the school for administrators to address the issue, but the school board only said they would look into it.

"We shouldn't have stopped there when we did the protest," said alumnus Adrian Nelson.

When they held the protest, they had to deal with and prepare for all the negative comments (like sexualizing or telling you that you're doing something wrong or inappropriate).

"They talked to us and promised they would consider and look into it. They should stop making false promises," said one of the organizers, Winter Brooks.

The dress code isn't based on body type at all. More people who are more extensive and busty shouldn't be targeted more for their appearance.

But even after three years, everything has stayed the same or has yet to be addressed. However, recently, in early September, this same group of students has made more progress than they did a few years ago.

Several group members made it to the board, each giving their presentation. But they all had different opinions about what to fix or change. In part of their presentation, they mentioned how it affects the school. They also proved good statements regarding everything that isn't either fair or makes sense.

Also, only a few male students don't get dress-coded for wearing something such as shorts, but if a woman does, they get dress-coded immediately. So, this shows how unfair it was before and still is now.

Thus, it would be better if a male student said something about it or had an opinion on how it is unfair and how they don't get targeted as much.

"If they do not have power over what boys can look at, they should not have the power to tell girls to dress a certain way," said Elijah Avers.

Some small details made the dress code handbook seem confusing to students, such as skirts needing to be fingertip length. Some people have short torsos and long arms which go past their thighs.

This all started when a select group of students gathered and made a group chat on Snapchat to change the code.

Three years ago, students had started a protest in the middle of the school for administrators to address the issue, but the school board only said they would look into it.

"We shouldn't have stopped there when we did the protest," said alumnus Adrian Nelson.

When they held the protest, they had to deal with and prepare for all the negative comments (like sexualizing or telling you that you're doing something wrong or inappropriate).

"They talked to us and promised they would consider and look into it. They should stop making false promises," said one of the organizers, Winter Brooks.

The dress code isn't based on body type at all. More people who are more extensive and busty shouldn't be targeted more for their appearance.

But even after three years, everything has stayed the same or has yet to be addressed. However, recently, in early September, this same group of students has made more progress than they did a few years ago.

Several group members made it to the board, each giving their presentation. But they all had different opinions about what to fix or change. In part of their presentation, they mentioned how it affects the school. They also proved good statements regarding everything that isn't either fair or makes sense.

Also, only a few male students don't get dress-coded for wearing something such as shorts, but if a woman does, they get dress-coded immediately. So, this shows how unfair it was before and still is now.

Thus, it would be better if a male student said something about it or had an opinion on how it is unfair and how they don't get targeted as much.

"If they do not have power over what boys can look at, they should not have the power to tell girls to dress a certain way," said Elijah Avers.

Some small details made the dress code handbook seem confusing to students, such as skirts needing to be fingertip length. Some people have short torsos and long arms which go past their thighs.

Some students are boycotting the dress code and have taken their concerns to the school board. The video of that meeting where students addressed the District 201U board on Sept. 19 is below.