Started August 2, 2021 Petition to FCBOE and 5 others
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Hi
I am writing this as an ex student and a sister. I was an FCBOE student 8th-12th grade.There was not one year I went without being embarrassed by the dress code. FCBOE's dress code statement is stated in the link below:
https://www.fcboe.org/dresscode
There is one particular code enforced (bullet point 2 in the link) that myself and other female students found to be problematic. This is the"finger tip length" rule regarding shorts. This rule states that a student should be able to stand straight, arms by their side, and not have their fingertips reach past their shorts. This, on many, measures to about a couple inches above the knee. This rule is emplaced for "modesty" purposes.
Myself and many others find this rule to be problematic for the following reasons:
-It gets hot in Georgia:Our shorts are supposed to be finger tip length but, in Georgia, the beginning and end of school year heat can reach anywhere from the 80s to the upper 90s, even into the 100s. We aren't asking to wear "booty" shorts. We simply just want to be able to wear norts (Nike Atheltic shorts) or everyday shorts.
-One isn't going to find "appropriate finger tip length" shorts at any girl's clothing department. The average retail store doesn't even sell finger tip length shorts. Be it the current style, comfort, or what sells, the average store simply isn't going to have them. Ask any parent. "Finger tip length" usually means pants, and, as previously discussed, it get's very hot in Georgia.
-This rule's purpose is questionable: Though the dress code does not mention sex, this rule is sexist. This being because the rule is obviously posed at the females as there are little to no males shorts on the market that violate this dress code, and almost all of the female ones do. Not to mention the females in question are aged 11-18. The insinuation of a 11 year old girl being "scandalous" is predatory. This rule also teaches girls to cover up rather than teach boys to behave like decent human beings. It embarrasses and shames girls every year. Again, we are not asking to wear our undergarments to school. We want to wear the average short.
I myself was subject to these rules and was made to change many times. Today my little sister came back from her first day of school crying because the outfit we ecxitedly picked out together the night before for her big day was dress coded and she was made to change and felt inappropriate and embarrassed. She was wearing soccer shorts. Soccer shorts.
I was really hoping this rule would die out by the time she got to my age 7 years later but it obviously hasn't. If a school wants their students to "dress and be groomed in such a way as to reflect neatness, modesty, cleanliness, and respect for your school", fine. I strongly believe a girl wearing shorts to school isn't scandalous. The ideology that a preteen/ teen girl wearing average shorts disrupts a classroom is absurd and sexist.
We ask that FCBOE review their "finger tip length" portion of their dress code for the reasons stated above. A school should focus more on the brains of their students and not their "inappropriate" presentation.
As a seasoned advocate for educational policy reform and a former student with direct experience in challenging dress code issues, I can provide valuable insights into the concerns raised by GG Christensen in the petition addressed to the Fayette County Board of Education (FCBOE).
Firstly, the evidence presented by GG Christensen is rooted in personal experiences as both an ex-student and a sister, emphasizing a long-standing issue with FCBOE's dress code, specifically the "finger tip length" rule for shorts. The inclusion of the link to FCBOE's official dress code statement adds credibility to the argument, allowing readers to verify the policies in question.
The petition highlights the climate in Georgia, where temperatures can soar into the 80s, 90s, and even the 100s. This contextualizes the practical challenges faced by students in adhering to the dress code, particularly in finding weather-appropriate attire. The mention of popular athletic shorts, such as Nike's "norts," appeals to the need for comfort and practicality in clothing choices.
Furthermore, GG Christensen provides a compelling argument against the dress code rule, contending that it is inherently sexist. The analysis goes beyond personal anecdotes, delving into the impracticality of finding shorts meeting the specified length in regular retail stores, and how the rule disproportionately affects female students. The petition challenges the dress code's impact on body image, self-esteem, and perpetuation of gender stereotypes.
The petitioner questions the purpose of the "finger tip length" rule, asserting that it inadvertently teaches girls to cover up rather than addressing the behavior of male students. The argument emphasizes the potential psychological harm caused by such dress codes, depicting the insinuation of an 11-year-old girl being "scandalous" as predatory and damaging.
Finally, the petition appeals to the emotional aspect by recounting a personal experience of GG Christensen's sister being dress-coded on her first day of school, leading to embarrassment and distress. This personal narrative adds a human touch to the argument, invoking empathy from readers and emphasizing the real-world impact of the dress code policy on students.
In conclusion, the petition by GG Christensen effectively combines personal experiences, factual information, and a critical analysis of FCBOE's dress code to advocate for a review of the "finger tip length" rule. The presented evidence supports the call for change, appealing to the board's sense of fairness, practicality, and a commitment to fostering a positive learning environment.
