Throughout the past two weeks, the high school has been in somewhat of an uproar with upset students and parents who want more answers about the sudden changes to the dress code, and starting October 3, the amendments approved by the school board to the student handbook went into effect. The most unpopular of these changes were the new dress code policies.

Beginning a few weeks ago, rumors of uniforms and major changes to the dress code flew around the halls of the high school. Many questions have been arising regarding the reason for the changes. Although the faculty have been consistent in enforcing the new policies, many students have their own opinions about why the dress code was changed, ranging from disciplinary problems to safety issues and appearance.

“The revisions were based on safety issues,” principal Jerry Brem said. “In the past, I have worked at schools that have had gang-related problems on a much higher level than anything La Vega has seen. I always take these issues seriously. We want to take every precaution we can.”

A significant amount of damage caused to the boy’s bathroom due to gang related graffiti along with isolated incidents of fights and threats among different groups of students is the real cause for the fast action taken by administrators to try to eliminate a small problem that has the potential to become a bigger problem.

“I think the dress code was changed because they want us to look more ‘professional’,” sophomore Matthew Cooper said. “I don’t believe it is going to change much. Our grades are going to be the same, and the way we act will be the same.”

There were some actual changes to the student handbook such as, all shirts that fall two inches below the pants belt line must be tucked in, all shirts and coats cannot extend below mid-thigh, shorts are no longer permitted for anyone at any time of the year, excessive or black makeup is not acceptable, and certain types of belts cannot be worn. Pants are to be worn at the waist and cannot be wider than seven inches from the leg, no style of clothing or grooming that can be associated with gang-related activity will be allowed; these rules were already stated but were not consistently being enforced.

“I don’t follow the new rules because I don’t understand why they are changing the dress code in the first place,” freshman Elisei Rusu said. “Most people just roll up their shirts when they pass by a teacher; that’s what I have been doing.”

Although collaboration between the school board, administrators, and principals had been going on since early September to try to revise and improve the student handbook, the changes became apparent last week when all third-period teachers were instructed to read through an administrative letter describing the changes and informing the students that the new policies would be enforced the following Monday.

“I like the changes; everyone looks very neat, but I think they should have made the changes during the beginning of the first six weeks,” girls’ athletic director Sherry Salter said. “I am a mom, and buying school clothes is not cheap, so I definitely understand the parents’ frustrations.”

The school is ready to provide help for parents who cannot afford to their child’s wardrobe to meet the new standards. CIS (communities in schools) headed up by Jennifer Adams, is ready to do whatever they can to help students and their parents adjust to the new changes. Vouchers are available that can be used at chains such as Wal-Mart to buy new clothes and accessories.

Concerning the dress-code changes, no meetings or assemblies took place for parents or students to explain why these new amendments were being made; instead, letters were sent out to parents with report cards explaining the changes.

“When I read over the letter sent home it mentioned safety numerous times,” parent Gail Cleere said. “I have a right to know if my children are not safe when I send them to school in the mornings. It is upsetting to me that they are not being more forward with the parents about the reasons why these policies have been revised.”

Although Brem expressed genuine concern that the letters sent out to the parents were not sufficient in answering all of the questions parents might have about the current situation, no assemblies or meetings have been scheduled to address these issues. However, he has had numerous private meetings with students and parents over the past weeks trying to explain and help parents understand that their children's safety is first priority over everything else.

“My son would not be here if I thought La Vega was an unsafe place,” Brem responded. “La Vega is the safest school I have worked at in eighteen years.”