How one school is trying to tighten up its dress code
"HAIR COLOUR, INCLUDING HIGHLIGHTS, MUST BE WITHIN THE FOLLOWING SPECTRUM…"
KAMLOOPS — If you think your school is strict, have a look at this draft dress code for a private school in Kamloops which explicitly says: No tie dye, no ‘bling’ on belts, no multiple pockets, solid colour socks only and no "whacky" hair.
This is what parents and high school students at St. Ann’s Academy in Kamloops are facing if a number of proposed revisions to the dress code are approved. While students in Grades 1 through 7 are expected to wear uniforms, high school students are given just a little more freedom. The academy currently has one dress code for both boys and girls but a new draft anticipates separating the dress code by gender. The school refused to share their proposed dress codes so we haven't seen the boys version. Infonews.ca didobtain a copy of the girls' code which says graphics, pictures or tie-dye will not be allowed on shirts and hoodies will not be allowed at all.
"Tops cannot be see-through, revealing, have lace, have bulging buttons, be skin-tight, ripped or frayed," the proposed code says.
Then it moves on to hair.
“Dreadlocks or any whacky-outrageous hair styles not permitted,” reads one of the proposed rules for hair, while another focuses on colour.
“Hair colour, including highlights, must be within the following spectrum of colour; natural shades of blonde, black, auburn-red and brunette.”
Girls are expressly told to do various tests before going to school. The 'mirror-test' requires students to bend forward in front of a mirror before school to ensure their chest area is not easily viewed. They would also be required to do a ‘reach test’ to make sure both the cleavage and midriff are covered. The 'three finger self-check’ goes around the collar to ensure the collar line is appropriate.
Pants and shorts can't be cargo, jeans, leather or athletic. No holes or multiple pockets will be allowed on pants. Outside of gym, athletic shoes will not be allowed either. Socks must be a solid colour and the acceptable length of skirts and dresses will need to meet the knee instead of the current minimum length of four inches above the kneecap.
At another private school in the city, Kamloops Christian School, the rules are a bit more relaxed. Students are expected to dress cleanly, neatly and modestly. Hair is to be kept clean, groomed and out of the eyes, as well as a natural colour.
The public schools in the region are allowed to create separate dress codes, within the guidelines set out by the district. For the most part, guidelines are very similar to Kamloops Christian School and simply ask that clothes are free images or sayings that are vulgar or disrespectful and that underwear not be visible. Some schools have gone as far as saying shirts must touch the top of the pants, cannot be see-through and must have an appropriate neckline with two straps. Bottoms must be no shorter than mid-thigh with no holes and pajamas are not permitted.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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17 responses
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Hi Kayla, its a bit late, but an ongoing topic that’s why I still post my 2 cents. I think it would be best schools would provide cloth for real costs (no surcharge), maybe even source it themself, the school district has enough schools to manage that they could do it and team up with other school districts. So its would actually pretty sure be even cheaper than clothe you get in any store. Why? I think to much is focused just on the looks. Its ridiculous how much people spend (time and money) to even put a different face on. Once you out of school you can wear whatever you and your parents feel appropriate. Run around naked, I couldn’t care less, I am far from prude, I am originally from Europe and can tell you people are not prude there at all, but know when to dress how. You will later in life find that you have to play by the rules of the once who set it if they own/run/manage a place all the time. It might be more relaxed in some areas and less in other. If you don’t like it that’s ok, you can choose to work there or not. And I think that’s ok.
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Cover your private bits, don’t try to stir up negative and sexual attention, I’m all for that in schools. But colour of socks! Hair colour! It’s the year 2015 people. Self expression is a RIGHT. These standards will do nothing but create young people who will feel SHAMEFUL for wanting to be themselves. It’s authoritarian and old fashioned and wrong. Get with the times, St.Anns. Your strict enforcement will only make them want to do it more.
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Now you know why there’s the 1% and they intend to keep it that way. Go ahead, bang your phone all day with dribble. As an adult, you’ll be our slave willingly or not.
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I’m tempted to answer in German! I was on a bus in Burnaby and ask one of the kids why no one was texting/sexting with a phone (2012) and they answered that they’re a private school. Go 1%.
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Every person on here that is saying its a good idea and that this should happen to all schools clearly aren’t in school as we speak. the way people dress, do their hair, or their makeup is the way people individualize themselves. its the way this generation does things.
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“[On school uniforms] Don’t these schools do enough damage making all these kids think alike, now they have to make them look alike too? It’s not a new idea, either. I first saw it in old newsreels from the 1930s, but it was hard to understand because the narration was in German.”–George Carlin.
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Private schools get government funding so although I agree with a moderate dress code it should be across the board. When private schools no longer accept public funding then they should have total autonomy.
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I don’t have any problem with this. In life there is a time and place for certain dress. Might as well learn that early.
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Great idea!! I wish the public school system would follow suit. I’m tired of seeing 12 year old girls with their butts and boobs hanging out everywhere.
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This.Is.Awesome!! Set the bar! Would LOVE to see every school in Canada make wise decisions like this. The youth can wear whatever they want AFTER school…
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It’s a private school. No one’s business except those who support it. Quit trying to stir up “shite.”
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