3 p.m. UPDATE: Tigger clothing ban causes family to sue school district

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Wednesday, March 21, 2007

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By DAVID RYAN
Register Staff Writer

No Jesus — or Tigger — allowed.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Napa Valley Unified School District Tuesday, claiming Redwood Middle School’s no logo, no words school dress policy violates state law by being so strict it functions as a school uniform.

Two students represented in the lawsuit were pulled out of class and cited, one for wearing a shirt that said “Jesus Freak” and the other for wearing socks with the Winnie-the-Pooh character Tigger on them.

“They’re enforcing a ‘school uniform’ in the guise of a ‘dress code’ and that’s in violation of the California Education Code,” Sharon O’Grady, a San Francisco-based attorney suing the school on behalf of the ACLU and a group of Redwood Middle School parents said in a statement.

Redwood Middle School Principal Mike Pearson said the school had no immediate comment on the lawsuit, filed Monday in Napa County Superior Court.

“We have not been served and we don’t have a comment at this point,” he said.

Redwood Middle School’s dress policy allows only solid color clothes in white, green, blue, khaki, yellow, black, brown and gray in cloth that is cotton twill, corduroy or chino — no denim.

The long-standing policy caused controversy in 2005 when a small group of parents raised objections to the fact that the policy excluded denim.

In letter to the community, Redwood Middle School Faculty said the dress policy went into effect as a response to fights that broke out at school. They said they believed the policy had a hand in reducing confrontations among students and raising test scores.

“In case after case, federal courts have reaffirmed schools’ rights to implement dress policies that create safer environments for their students,” the Sept. 04, 2005 letter said.

The ACLU lawsuit was filed in county civil court, a unusual venue for an issue that the plaintiffs like 14-year-old Tony Kay Scott, one of the girls cited for violating the dress code, say is essentially about freedom of expression.

“Kids who want to express their opinions or ideas aren’t hurting anyone,” she said in a statement through the ACLU.

Court records show the two sides are scheduled to meet in court in August.

68 comment(s)

Sandra wrote on Mar 20, 2007 4:30 PM:

" "Allows only solid color clothes in white, green, blue, khaki, yellow, black, brown and gray in cloth that is cotton twill, corduroy or chino — no denim". The school can call it what they want but this is not a dress policy it is a "uniform code". "

Jen wrote on Mar 20, 2007 5:12 PM:

" Uniforms are when everyone wears the same thing. That's different than a dress code, which establishes guidelines. this lawsuit is a waste of everyone's time and money. "

No Denim? wrote on Mar 20, 2007 5:17 PM:

" Tigger is evil and nobody should ever wear socks with cartoon characters, especially kids. A better way to reduce fights would be to set up a program like the Hitler Youth, with marching and saluting. Get rid of all the color choices (white, green, blue, khaki, yellow, black, brown and gray) and cloth choices (cotton twill, corduroy or chino) and make the kids wear camouflage. They could even make the teachers and administrators wear camouflage, with rank insignia and everything. Are kids still allowed to read The Wave by Todd Strasser (Morton Rhue), or has that book been banned by the school district? "

RMS Parent wrote on Mar 20, 2007 5:26 PM:

" I wish I had the time to be this concerned over such minor issues in life. There are real issues in the world right now, not what my child can or cannot wear to school. You don't like it go somewhere eles. "

a teacher wrote on Mar 20, 2007 5:44 PM:

" I agree with Sandra, that's a uniform. Aren't there more important issues at Redwood than Tigger socks? "

Napa Teacher wrote on Mar 20, 2007 5:51 PM:

" No....It's a dress code, not a uniform. I'm sorry, but like it or not, in the REAL world, you will have to abide by certain dress codes and rules. School is the perfect place to begin enforcing these rules. With so many people up in arms about gang violence, one would think that school's attempts to finally do something about it and "nip it in the bud" would be appreciated...once again, nice way to waste district time and money. "

Former Student wrote on Mar 20, 2007 6:19 PM:

" I am a former RMS student and I remember this issue brewing even back when I was at RMS in the early 90's. The administration was aiming for control over what we wore, and back then it seemed so far-fetched... I can't believe this issue has gone this far and the restrictions are so extreme. It's absolutely ridiculous in my book, and I think it's rather embarassing that the police-state that now exists at that school is going to get national attention. This girl was branded a "Student with an Attitude Problem" because of Tigger socks? Are you kidding me? I hope she wins and gets a full ride to Harvard for the killer college-entrance essay that she's going to be able to write after this goes down. Good luck Tony Kay!!! "

Rms Student wrote on Mar 20, 2007 6:20 PM:

" The dress code is wonderful. If you really want to wear tigger socks...wear them under pants and get over it. No point in getting sent up to the office for such a crazy thing. "

Richard wrote on Mar 20, 2007 6:25 PM:

" The fact that anybody has the energy to complain about a school's uniform dress policy is evidence that it's working. And to all those WT parents that have nothing better to do...you're doing your children a terrible disservice. "

Brice wrote on Mar 20, 2007 6:55 PM:

" Kids got it better than when I went there in the late 90s, difference between now and then was the non-allowance yellow, black, brown and and gray along with anything not purely cotton. Really the only justification was gang problems but there were none, no one would admit it or institute a dress code where there actually was one. I got cited my first week of 7th grade for the wrong SHADE of green, that was before they decided it was idiotic and left it at all greens. Really the parents getting uppity about all this are at least a decade too late and should get over it. On the other hand theres no reason for such a strict code. “Kids who want to express their opinions or ideas aren’t hurting anyone,” she said in a statement through the ACLU. Tell that when the first kid gets beaten up for wearing the wrong shirt. You're 11-14 year olds, not voters that anyone actually pretends to care about what you think. "

Winter wrote on Mar 20, 2007 7:28 PM:

" The definition of uniform is: NOUN: 1) A distinctive outfit intended to identify those who wear it as members of a specific group. 2) One set of such an outfit. This policy isn't making kids wear uniforms. This kid intentionally broke the rules, and there are consequences for that. As there should be. "

Les wrote on Mar 20, 2007 7:35 PM:

" To Napa Teacher, sorry in business America there really is no dress code, except for the interview process. Engineers at Cisco, Apple, Google, etc wear shorts, worn jeans, t-Shirts with sayings like "Party till you puck" on them. Business casual is even loosely defined now. Snoopy socks are ok, TNMT watches in the board room get a laugh. The focus is creative problem solving and critical thinking, not a dress code. Tigger socks for a 12 year old ought to be allowed. "

rms alumni wrote on Mar 20, 2007 7:48 PM:

" Wow, our students cannot grasp math and science at the levels to compete with the rest of the world and this is the sum total of the school. looking for tigger. It is evident that we have major issue in the school district and it is not the students. "

Pooh Bear wrote on Mar 20, 2007 7:51 PM:

" It sounds like the Pooh Bear gang and Jesus Freaks need to go to Silverado and Harvest. These two schools are very accepting of individual expression. Sorry, Redwood "

a teacher wrote on Mar 20, 2007 8:24 PM:

" This is a response to gang violence? Are you kidding me? Which gang wears Tigger socks? Yes there are dress codes in the "real world", but outside of the military, how many are that strict. This is just a complete over reaction that's going to cost NVUSD a ton of money. "

RMS Parent of 2 wrote on Mar 20, 2007 8:57 PM:

" The dress code is great. The kids can still add their own style to it. I hope the dress code stays. It's not a uniform. It's silly that some parents can't just abide by the rules. "

The problem is with the parents wrote on Mar 20, 2007 9:22 PM:

" What parents let their kids go to school knowing they are breaking the rules? And then file a lawsuit against the school? About socks and tshirts? Come on. The problem isn't with the rules, its with our overly litigious society. The ACLU needs to worry about real problems, not that I can't send Susie to school in the socks she wants. "

To Les wrote on Mar 20, 2007 9:29 PM:

" Not sure where you work, but at my job I am expected to dress like a professional. No jeans, no tshirts, no sneakers. Your examples of laid back software companies are the exception, not the norm. "

Jackie wrote on Mar 20, 2007 9:51 PM:

" As a RMS Alumni, parent of two graduates and one currently attending I can't understand what all the fuss is about. The Dress Code is the last thing we need to be worrying about. We need to focus on the education of the students. The Principal,teachers and staff have and continue to work hard providing a wonderful learning environment. The Dress Code is only a problem for a few people, not the majority. There were survey's taken, open discussions and meetings were held a vote was taken and the majority said yes to the dress code. And not for the first time but several times over many years. As far as I know we still live in a democracy. The people spoke by voting now we honor that vote. If someone doesn't like what is offered at RMS there are wonderful progams to be found at Silverado, Harvest and River Shool as well as privates schools all here in Napa. Let's focus on education. "

Other Jen wrote on Mar 20, 2007 9:51 PM:

" Thank God--I mean thank GOODNESS--the ACLU is in town to protect us all. I always feel much safer when the communists come to town. The funny thing is, wouldn't the ACLU prefer it if everyone had to wear the same thing, because then everyone would be equal. Yes, in the real world there are rules, but the ACLU doesn't like the real world. They want anarchy, which will lead to equality for all (but more equality for some people.) It's not about the Tigger socks. It's about a violation of a pretty clear-cut policy. Schools should have the right to set rules and limits and there will always be people who want to test the boundaries of those rules, and there should be specific consequences for doing so. Perhaps if the ACLU loses, the kids could test other rules, such as being forced to sit at a desk, or being forced to be in class by a certain time. Happiness and freedom of expression reign supreme. It's all about ME, right? "

Christine wrote on Mar 20, 2007 9:56 PM:

" A person's clothing style is a way to express themselves indivudually. Taking this away from them is unnecessary and should not be a law. Wearing a simple shirt that says "Jesus Freak" or socks that have cartoon characters are harmless in no way. At least allowing denim into the dresscode would not hurt anything, and would make the students themselves a lot happier at school. A dresscode is innapropriate unless there is strong gang relations in one students clothing, then that one student should have to change, but somebody having "Jesus Freak" on their shirt should not. "

student wrote on Mar 20, 2007 9:58 PM:

" this is not a dress code its like a uniform it makes our parents having to go spend more money on us for our clothes when we could have just worn clothes that we have already had but no.Any kid my age would have a logo or writting on there regular plain day shirt.So instead we have to go out and spend money on new dress code clothes when most of the time we would only be wearing them at school, we should be able to wear tigger socks or have jeusus freak written on our clothes and not be judjed by others as someone with attidude problems like they labeled tk as. Thankyou "

RE: a teacher wrote on Mar 20, 2007 10:31 PM:

" I'll tell you which gang wears Tigger socks: The Winnie The Pooh gang. And they're tough. You better not climb any of their trees in the Hundred Acre Wood, cause that's their territory. Tigger will lick you in the face and Winnie will throw honey at you if you disrespect them. If that doesn't work, Eeyore the bad arse will get you for sure. So how about some respect for the socks, OK? "

Lacey wrote on Mar 20, 2007 10:37 PM:

" Im a former rms student and when i went there around 2000 we could only wear blue, grean, khaki, white. It was a huge issue. Also red was compeltly banned. you couldnt have it on your shoes or backpack without a teacher giving you duck tape to cover it up. It's ridiculous how much time they spend enforsing this rather than teaching. Also from what i remember teachers are not required to follow the dress code in any way. I understand they are trying to do good and avoid trouble but i think there causeing more trouble than they had before they started. "

Get a Life wrote on Mar 20, 2007 11:02 PM:

" This same story was reported in an article in the SF Chronicle. To quote that article, " The girls' mother, Donnell Scott, said it was fine for a school to ban midriffs and miniskirts. "School is a place to learn,'' she said. "But anything above that should be my call as a parent. Pink socks and two-tones are not a crime.'' It is great that Mrs. Scott has set herself up as the arbiter of what are appropriate and inappropriate attire restrictions. What if other parents think bare midriffs are okay but they don't approve of shirts that say Jesus Freak. This sounds like a double standard on the parent's part and a mixed message to send a child. But then this is America. If people don't agree with you just hire a lawyer. "

PoohBear wrote on Mar 20, 2007 11:05 PM:

" LOL UHMM ISN'T BLUE A "GANG" COLOR!?!? CRIPS AND BLOODS, NORTENOS AND SURENOS. HMM BLUE SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED. FIGHTING OVER A DAMN PAIR OF SOCKS!?! WHAT HAS THE WORLD COME TO?? I MEAN THE IRAQ WAR HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR FOUR (4) YEARS AND COUNTING AND THE SCHOOL IS FUSSING OVER TIGGER SOCKS?!?!?!?!?!?! WHOMEVER CAME UP WITH THE DRESS CODE NEEDS TO GET A LIFE! "

RMS Parent wrote on Mar 20, 2007 11:12 PM:

" What kind of journalism is this article? Has the dress code cut down on problems? Give some stats instead of hearsay. How does the incidence of fighting compare to those schools in the district that don't have dress codes? If no one is tracking the numbers than frankly there is no basis for a dress code. "

Holy cow wrote on Mar 20, 2007 11:43 PM:

" Whatever happened to teaching our kids to be obedient? The dress code is a good thing. Wear what you want when you're not in school. Get a grip, in the real world people in the business world have to live by dress codes too. What is it with these parents who stand by their kids when they disobey and then defend them to the utmost. Teach your kids to be obedient even if they disagree with it. Teach them that it's okay to disagree with the policy, but they still need to follow it. They'll be better off in the long run instead of creating all this snot-nosed, self-centered kids who think they can do whatever they want. "

Concerned... wrote on Mar 21, 2007 12:36 AM:

" The article says that the "lawsuit was filed in county civil court, a unusual venue..." Why do they call it an unusual venue?! Most parents and students are sick and tired of the police state over at Redwood. Why can't the Redwood administration just save everyone the hassle and finally fold on the stupid policy. Each year it gets worse and more restrictive. For what?! The high school dress codes are much more reasonable. Why is Redwood run like a prison instead of a school!? "

frank burns wrote on Mar 21, 2007 3:04 AM:

" These idiot kds who don gang colors and then kill themsleves over who is wearing different colors need to be curtailed somehow. I support the rules for aquelching their idiocy and brainless violence. "

nvusd grad wrote on Mar 21, 2007 5:30 AM:

" does anyone realy think that any teacher or administrator wants to be in the position of having to police the students on their clothing? i tend to think their 'plates' are full enough witj all their duties and responsibilites that this is just as annoying to them as the parents/students. the reality is-the school implemented the policy as a means to curb 'fighting'(haven't seen 'gangs' listed as a reason in any articles about this from day one). and while it might seem trite or trivial, even dating back to the late 70's as a student in napa there were issues with students being assaulted for wearing certain items of clothing that particular groups or cliques felt they held the right to and was identified with being a part of their inner circle. it seemed more often than not to be groups of girls who got into these issues, and while they rarely occured on school property it did happen. what i find offensive about this lawsuit is not the issue it argues, but that it does not seem to have become an issue for the parents/students involved until they chose to violate the long standing rules and were held personaly accountable. if they had spoken out against it or pursued court intervention prior to their individual violations came up i would have found it less self motivating. as for the whole 'dress code'/'uniform' debate re. the 'real world'-i've worked with and for many private and public employers, and while some may have adapted loser standards on personal attire there are still many that while they neither require nor provide a formal uniform, they do have established dress codes that include or exclude specific items most notably logo or character items that can be viewed by others, printed items that may be deemed offensive (a 'jesus freak' t-shirt would be a major infraction), denim pants and for women-skorts or skirt/dresses without nylons/of a certain length. with an employer an employee enters into an agreement to adhere to policies as set forth as a condition of employment-i wonder, since it appears that redwood ms is alone in their policy among napa ms's-do they have a student/parent handbook that advises and informs students of the policy and their choices of alternate public education should they not choose to adhere? if so, and these students entered into the agreement knowing the consequences of violation-it seems we should applaud the teachers and administrators who took the time and effort to hold these students accountable (a practice that seems sorely lacking in our schools today). "

Shawna wrote on Mar 21, 2007 6:46 AM:

" This whole dress code deal is crap. As a parent of two Silverado Students, I am behind these parents 100%. To the person that thinks the teachers don't want to police what kids are wearing, yes they do and they enjoy the power it gives them, my biggest problem is the g-strings showing out the top of the pants on the girls and there is no consistancy, it is just when they feel like it. What about the teachers, I don't think is ok for them to wear short shirts, or low cut tops so their clevage can been seen by all, and the office is no place for steleto heels with jeans. I can tell you that this dress code has taught my kids to wear their shirts inside out, no they look like they don't know how to dress. What gives. Kids are going to fight and gangs will be there no matter what they are wearing. By the way the gangsters like khaki and blue, so why is that still ok? School is for learning and if they paid more attention to that we would be a whole lot better off. Good luck lots of people are behind you. "

Get a Clue wrote on Mar 21, 2007 7:00 AM:

" To those who say the schools need to worry about the education of its students and not other things, you need to get an understanding of what schools really do for students and their families. Too much time is spent off of education in the schools: for students fighting with other students (isn’t this essentially a freedom of expression?); for students coming to school late because the parent(s) work and can't get the student to school on time; for student pictures; for yearbook pictures; for athletics; for forging parent signatures; for testing; for issuing new student body cards; for calling home because the student forgot his/her essentials (books, papers, PE clothes, etc.); for students writing on the desk or walls (couldn't that be considered freedom of expression?); for student field trips; for students walking out in the rain to purposely get wet; for stealing iPods, cameras, wallets, cell phones, books from the library, etc.; for not following directions in class; for misuse of school/class equipment during projects and/or science experiments; for family vacations during the school year; for doctor, dentist, and orthodontist appointments; for club and traveling sports; for making sure a student gets fed since the parents may not be able to adequately provide at home; for counseling the student who goes home to an abusive situation; for threatening other students; for harassing other students; filling out student surveys for placement in Sylvan and other learning centers; for psychological profile surveys on students; for behavioral plans; for changing clothes because of spilled food/drink; for learning disabilities…and the list can go on. But until you spend a good portion of your time actually working in a school (not going as a student, but being employed) please stop focusing on what you don’t like and try to see the big picture. I know it is difficult to understand, but the schools of today are much more than education institutions. Schools have basically become social service institutions for many students. Spend some time and energy focusing on how to help with a serious problem that carries more validity in life. "

me wrote on Mar 21, 2007 7:04 AM:

" The school is breaking State law. They are not above it. If they want such a strict policy legally establish a uniform policy. As it stands now the dress code is vague. There are over 100,000 colors seen by the naked eye. What does the school consider brown or green? I would be in the 'students with attitude' program too. And proud of it. The code is unconstitutionally vague, hence illegal, and students have a right as citizens to protest it as it stands now. Dissent is patriot --Thomas Jefferson said that. When was the last time a conformist changed the world? The school needs to step up and follow State law like everyone else is expected to. I see a bit of 'do as I say not as I do' going on here. "

To me wrote on Mar 21, 2007 7:23 AM:

" Yes you are right, it is alot of do as I say not as I do. You hit the nail on the head. A+. "

J wrote on Mar 21, 2007 8:22 AM:

" "FIGHTING OVER A DAMN PAIR OF SOCKS!?! WHAT HAS THE WORLD COME TO?? I MEAN THE IRAQ WAR HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR FOUR (4) YEARS AND COUNTING AND THE SCHOOL IS FUSSING OVER TIGGER SOCKS?!?!?!?!?!?!" THE WAR IN IRAQ HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR FOUR YEARS AND YOU ARE FUSSING OVER AN ARTICLE ABOUT TIGGER SOCKS?!?!?!?!?!?! And please learn to use lower case. "Aren't there more important issues at Redwood than Tigger socks?" Apparently, the ACLU and some parents don't think so, otherwise they wouldn't be diverting the school's attention and money from those more important issues. "

where do you draw the line? wrote on Mar 21, 2007 9:33 AM:

" So lets say redwood allows jeans, ok but then you have agroup of grils who want to wear low cut shirts, we don't want to hurt their feelings so ok they can wear them. then the boys want to wear really baggy pants so they can show off their boxers, well ok you can wear that. Then a kid wants to wear a shirt that says "drugs rock" or "bros before hoes" maybe "north side" or "south side". If you start allowing one thing you have to keep adding to it. If we as parents were respeonsible and didn't allow or kids to dress like gang bangers, sluts etc.. then redwood would not have had to start the dress policy. But the kids do dress like that now a days, so good for redwood for trying to keep it a LEARNING place, not a place for billy to see what kind of belly button susie has or what color her undies are. and for the record SWAP stands for "student with alternate placing" I should know my son has been there a few times. "

Kelly wrote on Mar 21, 2007 9:41 AM:

" "Tell that when the first kid gets beaten up for wearing the wrong shirt." The problem here is creating definitions of "right" and "wrong" shirts. If there were no dress code, then there wouldn't be a "wrong shirt" to get beat up for. When the problem is kids being violent against those who are different, the solution isn't to make it easier for people to be different. What this school is doing is creating followers. This country and the people who are successful in it are LEADERS. "

Bob wrote on Mar 21, 2007 9:44 AM:

" Another scandal in the Napa Schools! Another waste of time of everyone and a total cancellation of the learning process for the students. I say we fire the school board, the superintendent,the school principal and everyother person involved in this process. And when I say fire, I mean fire...no retirement and no benefits. It is time we got people in authority in our schools who can manage them properly, can promote the learning process and stop the scandals. "

just go somewhere else. wrote on Mar 21, 2007 9:50 AM:

" If the parents don't like the dress code there are other school in napa, take your kids there. let the rest of us parents who approve of the dress code focus on our kids not having to worry about the amount of money and time this is going to take away from the staff at redwood. "

its just right. wrote on Mar 21, 2007 10:29 AM:

" the dress code at redwood is just right. Why? because it allows our kids to learn with out worrying over what they are going to wear. It allows are kids to focus on learning and not the boys looking at the grils low cut shirts in class, or chcking out their thong under wear. It doesn't allow the boys to have pants so baggy they can't walk right or even run for that matter. The kids at redwood look great, they should keep the dress code!!! "

ZT wrote on Mar 21, 2007 11:51 AM:

" Zero Tolerance or Zero Thought? These students are receiving no education meanwhile. What is the thought process behind this? "

To Shawna wrote on Mar 21, 2007 1:40 PM:

" Sounds like Silverado needs a dress code? "

a teacher wrote on Mar 21, 2007 1:59 PM:

" To where do you draw the line: That cut's both ways. Suppose the school decides on an actual uniform. What if they decide that girls should wear dresses? What if they have to be claf length? What if they have to wear head coverings? What about burkahs? It's a slippery slope in both directions. There are common sense rules for decency and neatness. Most schools in this country follow them without incident. Why not Redwood? "

Problem is wrote on Mar 21, 2007 2:30 PM:

" this is a time in a kid's life when they are figuring out how to express themselves. "

Kelly wrote on Mar 21, 2007 2:51 PM:

" "It allows are kids to focus on learning and not the boys looking at the grils low cut shirts in class, or chcking out their thong under wear. It doesn't allow the boys to have pants so baggy they can't walk right or even run for that matter." I don't see anything in this article that says they DON'T allow low cut shirts, thong underwear, or baggy pants. Seems that if the wording the school uses is the same as in this article, these items could be worn as long as they're the correct color and material. Seriously though, for you parents out there. When were you in middle school? 70s? 80s? Think about what people wore then. People turned out just fine. This generation of parents seems a bit overprotective. We have to teach kids to think for themselves, not that we will always think for them. "

No Way wrote on Mar 21, 2007 3:32 PM:

" There is no way a teacher made the comment "To where do you draw the line: That cut's both ways." If a teacher wrote that I can see what is wrong with schools today. "

Jackie wrote on Mar 21, 2007 3:49 PM:

" I oringally said the schools need to focus on education. Thanks to Get A Clue who gave an excellent description of what happens daily in a teachers/staff memebers day at a school. Get a Clue expanded on the kind of things that happen everyday in a school enviroment. I work at a school (not as a teacher) and see the staff juggle all the other needs students have. The list is overwhelming. Teachers struggle to get parents to support the students with their homework at home, getting the kids to school on time, making sure their medical needs are met and the list goes on. Just my own perspective...everybody has to follow rules in life. The way to get things changed is not by outright defying the rules and when that doesn't work sue. "

Brooke wrote on Mar 21, 2007 3:51 PM:

" Ok here is the thing there will always be a difference of opnion. Some parents like the dress code and some people don't. The fact is this dress code will never keep kids from fighting, having gang violence or from flirting with the opposite sex.It is a sad but true part of life. The thing I have learned over my 25 years is kids are kids, some will fallow the rules and some won't but a school uniform will not change that. I know TK personally and she is a great kid never done anything wrong never been in trouble in school, why is she getting harassed so much about this? In the end just because the dress code is different doesn't mean the kids will be. "

Napa Parent wrote on Mar 21, 2007 5:00 PM:

" This is one of the reason's my son goes to private school! "

FYI wrote on Mar 21, 2007 5:54 PM:

" Silverado does have a dress code the problem is the enforcement. It is all a double standard. My son went to school with a nice blazer, and tee shirt, and jeans with some rip in them, he was told by the vice principal that it did not look like he was dressed for success. Since when is the vice principal a expert on people that are successfull and what they wear. Bottom line if you are going to inforce it, then check everyone everyday. Including staff. "

me wrote on Mar 21, 2007 6:18 PM:

" hay 'teacher', leave them kids alone Dresses only for girls and headcovering are religiously based dress codes. They may not be mandated for public schools, though they need to make allowances for observant students to wear them. There's your line. It's not really complex. Dresses for girls can be optional, length within reason to ensure decency. That would accomadate any religious student without drawing attention to it. "

Suze wrote on Mar 21, 2007 8:34 PM:

" It has been a while since I was a full-time student and it was not in this country. We all had to wear uniform, walk on one side of the corridor and be quiet in class. Lessons meant having your head down and working, chatter was not allowed except in break and lunch. We had to follow rules. No one came out of school in those days being unable to read, write and do simple math. Most came out with a lot more. A dress code is a dress code. It doesn't matter what shade your blue is, if blue is not allowed then teal, aqua, royal and ultramarine are not allowed either. Seems to me people have just turned into a bunch of spoiled brats. Lawsuits and suing over rights violations! Don't they have anything better to do!! Times and education have changed since I was a kid and I haven't noticed kids are better educated, they seem startlingly ignorant and uneducated to be honest. But I guess they are wearing 'cool' clothes and that is the most important thing. "

me wrote on Mar 22, 2007 5:06 AM:

" suze- Sueing over rights violations is what led to the end of segregation. Just one example. Rights lawsuits define the Bill of Rights, Constition and equality. The Judicial branch keeps the Legislative branch inline and vis versa. The main point here is the school is breaking the law concerning State Education Code. All they have to do is establish a legal dress code. This can be settled easy without going to court. I for one am sick of the public school power trip. In this one it's a vague dress code - with the staff not adhering to one themselves. In another it may be the teaching of Evolution as fact. In yet another it may be non-optional sex ed. A parent has the right to pull their child from classes they find at severe odds with their religious beliefs. However an increasing number of schools have been refusing the option if parents are even notified when such teaching will occur when. "

Hmmmm wrote on Mar 22, 2007 10:36 AM:

" Does this make Christopher Robin the gang leader? "

Mom of 3 teens wrote on Mar 22, 2007 2:58 PM:

" The way I look at this is, id there is a dress code and the parents and students know this than they should abide by it or they should go to a differnt school. "

Redwood grad '02 wrote on Mar 22, 2007 7:38 PM:

" ""It allows are kids to focus on learning and not the boys looking at the grils low cut shirts in class, or chcking out their thong under wear. It doesn't allow the boys to have pants so baggy they can't walk right or even run for that matter." I don't see anything in this article that says they DON'T allow low cut shirts, thong underwear, or baggy pants. Seems that if the wording the school uses is the same as in this article, these items could be worn as long as they're the correct color and material. Seriously though, for you parents out there. When were you in middle school? 70s? 80s? Think about what people wore then. People turned out just fine. This generation of parents seems a bit overprotective. We have to teach kids to think for themselves, not that we will always think for them." There in fact is rules for those. I am still in high school, and went to redwood. And knowing the dress code. You can't wear your clothes a certain way. Your pants can't be too long, skirt can't be too short. No ripped pants or shirts. Its not just color and fabric. There is more to the dress code than that. So maybe you should know all the facts before you go on telling someone they are wrong! "

Individual wrote on Mar 22, 2007 8:08 PM:

" I work for a large .com company and we are allowed to wear anything we want. The company is huge on individuality. When I came to my interview in a suit and tie, I was asked "you didn't wear that for me did you." My current boss had jeans and a untucked botton up shirt during that interview. When I went to corporate to train, I saw individuals. Everyone was dressed casual and comfortable. My point is that individuality has a place in this world. My company doesn't want robots or conformist, they want leaders and individuals. If we all thought the same we would lose our edge and would have no room growth. Individuality is good, trying to make everyone look and act the same is not. "

sum kidd wrote on Mar 22, 2007 9:16 PM:

" the dress code is a bunch bull.........and everyone who supports it need to get a life GO TK!!!.........people are tooo controlling.......we shuld be able to wear wat we want when we want........the colors of are cloths wont get us killed or make us in a gang...........and all the people who are talking crap about tk and the law suit.........need to shut it "

some thought wrote on Mar 23, 2007 2:00 PM:

" well after reading a few of these diatribes, it occured to me that if they are so worried about the possibility that clothing represents gang membership, what does banning certain clothing really do then? If you tell a child to not touch the cookie what does that child do? Touches the cookie. The bigger issue this school district needs to address is how to apply rulings without breeding contempt for those rulings. All it seems this banning has really done is polarize a community against the status quo in effect doubling thier problems in the long run. "

To Napa Teacher wrote on Mar 23, 2007 7:30 PM:

" Where in the real world, as you say, are dress codes in place? Certainly not in the high-tech industry, where very high salaries are earned and individuality and creativity is not just a plus -- it's expected of the employees. On the other hand, if you're training a generation to work for a chain store or restaurant or some other insignificant, meaningless occupation then I'd say your dress code is just right. "

Fed Up wrote on Mar 24, 2007 7:18 AM:

" That is one of the reasons this country is in the shape that it is in. No one feels thay should ever be in submission to anyone. We should all be allowed to do what we please, regardless of the consequences. We feel that we should rebel against everything, and everyone that is in authority in this country. This school has a dress code for a reason, whether we like it or not. It is not unfair to ask the students to wear what is allowed. It is sad thast we have been so programmed to always alighn ourselves with those who feel compelled to constantly rebel and battle those in the positions on authority. "

re: fed up wrote on Mar 24, 2007 10:42 AM:

" Yah we should blindly follow our government. They always know what's best for us. That way we don't even have to think. Just leave everything to Big Brother. After all they're doing such a wonderful job. "

RMS Parent wrote on Mar 24, 2007 10:52 AM:

" This is in response to Fed Up. Some of the parents of RMS do not believe that we should submit. If our ancestors submitted we would be drinking tea and bowing to the Queen. Obviously your kids will be follows and the kids that are in this fight will be leaders. This has been taken way too personal. Allow these children their say, the law says it is their right to voice their opinion. Sorry your opinion doesn't agree with theirs. That is why we live in the USA. Freedom of choice, expression and speech and religion. Semper Fi "

To Fed Up wrote on Mar 24, 2007 4:56 PM:

" Fedup, YOU and people like you are the reason our country is in the shape its in. It is a American's duty as a citizen to question and challenge authority. It is our duty to be certain that public institutions are following the law of the land. The challenge here is that a publicly-funded institution is breaking the law. How could that possibly be okay with you? How can you assume that they're making the right decision if they cannot supply the public with hard data to support their claims? How can you simply hand over your power and your will to think for yourself? "

Come on wrote on Mar 24, 2007 9:28 PM:

" One can only hope the parents will drop this suit. Our over burdened school system does not need this. Can't your girls just wear their logo socks and shirts on the weekend like everyone else? I would much rather see the money this will take remain in our school system.We've already been cut to bare bones as it is. "

confused wrote on Mar 25, 2007 11:41 AM:

" I went to school at RMS and have had Mr Person as a princeple at VHS.. I fail to see how you can tell someone what kind of sock they can wear. When I was a student at RMS I had a Jackit that was solid blue but had gotten red paint on it, I was sent home and suspended. Then a few months after that I got in a fight with 2 other RMS students, I was sent home and suspended. Can we say have the punishment fit the crime? If someone wears something that is a dress code violation have them change into part of their gym uniform and keep the offending artical in the office untill the end of the day or untill a meeting about the dress code can be set with the parent, child, and RMS staff can discuss why the item is not alloud and what can be done to avoid this situation next time.... Why must this be a big problem? I do not see what harm there is in socks.. Is there a way that RMS and students could meet in the middle? Maybe something like one day a month is free dress day with a slacked dress code? Could that help the students in their need for expression and not cause too much of an over load for the staff? "

Napan wrote on Mar 27, 2007 5:58 PM:

" It is simply ridiculous to compare the American Revolution to something like this. The American Revolution was about freedom from true oppression by a foreign power, an overseas tyrant who had no real interest in the well-being of his American subjects. Since the 60's, selfishness and destructive rebellious behavior have been encouraged, this nonsense here is just another example of that. It has nothing to do with our founding principles, which recognize that there is a need for authority of some sort. Come on people, it's a dress code for crying out loud! "

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