As the sun continues to shine and the weather stays warm, some
San Benito High School students are stretching the dress code and
sporting short skirts and bare midriffs.
Hollister – As the sun continues to shine and the weather stays warm, some San Benito High School students are stretching the dress code and sporting short skirts and bare midriffs.
The 2004-05 SBHS student handbook states that short shorts, very short skirts, bare midriffs and tube tops are not allowed, but sophomore Priscilla Canela said they can be seen all over campus, and the staff isn’t doing much to stop it.
“I always see the girls walking around but no one says anything,” she said. “I think a lot of people are bothered by it here. When we’re sitting in class, you can see their whole thong hanging out.”
Principal Debbie Padilla said it’s difficult to make sure everyone is following the dress code. With more than 2,700 on campus, she relies on the teachers and staff to report students who break the rules.
But if they’re not reported, they get away with it.
“If they’re brought into the office, their parents are called and either they go home to change, or they’re given a loaner shirt from the office to wear,” she said.
Aside from staff and teachers, Padilla said it’s the responsibility of the parents to make sure their children dress properly, and the classmates to report something if they notice someone dressed inappropriately.
“The parents and students got a copy of the dress code rules in their handbooks, and it’s the entire community’s responsibility to inform the students that there is a proper place and time to dress that way, and it’s not at school,” Padilla said. “We’re trying to educate our students with the least distractions possible, and we’re trying to prepare them for the real world. There are many jobs out there that have dress standards.”
Other inappropriate attire include gang-related apparel or grooming, which includes “bandannas, belts, suspenders, jewelry, hats or other membership in a gang.” Any clothes that has sexual, drug or alcohol related slogans or references is also not permitted, according to the student handbook.
“If other students see anything that they think is inappropriate, I would hope they’d report it,” Padilla said.
Parent Mary Andrade has three children at SBHS, and agrees with Padilla that it’s the parents responsibility to monitor their child’s wardrobe. She also feels that in some circumstances, even the most involved parents can be unaware of what their children are actually wearing to school.
“As long as they’re under the parent’s roof, you should look at what they’re wearing,” she said. “But sometimes parents don’t know what they’re wearing. I’ve heard of kids changing clothes after they’ve left the house, and I think it’s hard for parent’s who leave to work early in the morning and don’t see their kids off.”
Christine Tognetti covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 831-637-5566 ext. 330, or [email protected].
