Clothing is a great way for both males and females all around the world to express themselves. Trends become new every five years and let people expose who they are, but is school really the best place to show off those trends? Page 64 of the student companion explains the dress code and grooming as, “ No dress may be unsafe to wear or to others, or be likely to cause damage to property; and , no dress may be unduly distraction to an orderly teaching…. articles of clothing which have indecent, suggestive, hateful, biased ,or offering writing , pictures or slogans ; exposed underwear, bare midriffs, bare feet; hats and bandanas in classes or offices; non-prescription sunglasses , beachwear”. In looking at the above description, it is evident that students have small window of things they can NOT wear and a bigger one of what they CAN. Dress codes are necessary to keep order in school.

Students should be able to express themselves but within limits. There are some clothes that are way too revealing or way too inappropriate. School is, in fact, a place of learning and education not a fashion show where you can show off your new belly shirt and short shorts that do not cover anything. This school is one of great status, being the 18th best school in New Jersey. Mr. Neigel, Principal, does not dwell on this rule often, but when he does, it is heard. “Students may express themselves through clothing,but school is a place of education and student dress should not distract teachers or students from learning,” said Neigel. He continued that, “the main reason why we even have a dress code is distraction and proper respect for an educational environment”. The student body should come to school to learn and make a future for themselves. There are plenty of other times where a person can show off their brand new crop top.

Many students expressed, however, that the dress code is not fair. Many female students thought that the rule was biased against girls. “Guys get in trouble for mostly inappropriate thing written on their shirts or pants hanging too low, and they just get a warning. While females, we get in trouble for shorts being too short or shirts not covering the stomach or shoulders. But we get in more trouble by either being sent home or being told to change. It does not seem fair,” declared sophomore Madelyn Guyet. This opinion was also echoed by many of the male students, however, upon further research, the dress code does not, in fact, target one specific gender. It is a fair rule trying to keep the school in order with no distractions or discomfort. This school is a small school, where students are treated fairly. Perhaps students should be thankful that they are not restricted to only three or four school selected pieces of clothing, like the many schools that have resorted to uniforms. The student body should make appropriate choices when dressing for school and save their other outfits for weekend activities.