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PLYMOUTH — Some parents believe the new Wyoming Valley West dress code is being enforced with a heavy hand at the high school, and that one group in particular is being singled out: girls.
When students begin filing in once doors open for class, “if it is not within the dress code, they are pulled out of line and sent to the In School Suspension room,” Theresa Kelly said. “All these students are female.”
Parents are notified and can bring a change of clothes, but if they don’t, “the kids are being forced to stay in ISS for the day,” Kelly added. “The situation is out of hand.”
Kelly said she has a daughter in the school who has not been deemed in violation of the code, but that many others have been. Two other parents contacted the Times Leader with similar complaints.
“While I support the dress code, it seems like it has become discriminatory to our female students.” Kelly said, adding that she has filed a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union.
Superintendent Irv DeRemer said there have been some problems with dress code compliance since the first day of school Tuesday, and that the issue has been related to dresses some girls are wearing.
The new code bans sleeveless dresses and requires they have a collar, and DeRemer said most of the problems have involved the lack of collars.
DeRemer said if student appears to be violating the dress code, he or she is directed to an assistant principal “who will sit down with that boy or girl and make a decision to see if it is not up to code.” If they are deemed in violation, DeRemer said, the parent is contacted and the student sent to the ISS room until the parent comes with a new outfit.
DeRemer said a student will spend all day in the ISS room if no one comes with proper clothes, but insisted the number of students in violation has been small each day and most do get a new set of clothes and return to class.
“I would say the girls have been very cooperative.”
DeRemer said the complaints are being logged and that he and his administrative team will sit down at some point —probably after the board meeting Sept. 13 — and consider any possible changes in response to feedback from students, parents and the board.
Kelly said she and other parents are documenting alleged code violations and plan to bring the problem to the school board’s attention at the next meeting. She contends there is no need for changes in the code, just in the enforcement.
“I would say these kids are dressed appropriately. They look business casual.”