Students and parents rally against new bare midriff ban at Ramona High School

[Zorro]

Ramona High School students and parents gathered Friday morning before school to protest a ban on bare midriffs that has been added to the 2023-24 school year’s dress code.

Students and parents, some wearing clothes that would now be in violation of the dress code, held signs stating, “does my stomach distract you from reading this poster?” “stop sexualizing our daughters for wearing today’s fashion,” and “sorry, are my shoulders distracting.”

Student Emma Kneeshaw said a Ramona High staff member stationed outside the bathroom has been asking the girls to raise their arms before they go inside to see if their shirts come up.

When a student is in violation of the dress code, they are told to put on different clothes, Kneeshaw said. If no alternative clothing or jacket is available, the girls are given a shirt that says “Escape the Vape.”

The school ran out of “Escape the Vape” shirts on Thursday, said student Makayla Smith, and students who had nothing else to wear were sent home to change their clothes.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ramona-sentinel/news/story/2023-08-25/protestors-gather-outside-ramona-high-over-student-dress-code

Maybe I'm just getting too old, but IMO bare midriffs are inappropriate in high school classes. Seems like an overzealous way to determine if a female's top is too short, though; it doesn't take a degree in Rocket Science to spot a bare midriff.

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. Yes, you and I are too old to sympathize.

When "I" was in school, girls couldn't wear skirts above their knees and I was sent to the office more than once for having my shirt tail out of my pants.

[demigoddess]

6. when I was in school, girls couldn't wear pants or skirts above the knees.

[Phoenix61]

2. Why I love school uniforms.

Polo shirts, long pants, shorts, or skirts.

[Ferrets are Cool]

8. The one good thing about school uniforms is that it pretty much eliminates

clothes shaming or bullying because of what someone is wearing. Other than that, it's too utilitarian for my taste.

[Fullduplexxx]

3. back in my day sonny, jordache jeans were the distraction

[getagrip_already]

4. From what I remember....

And this was a LONG time ago, it didn't take a bare midriff or shoulder to get me distracted. Pretty much any remote shape, even under a parka, could cause me to have to carry my books in front of me.

[GregariousGroundhog]

5. I would say that school dress codes should reflect "business casual"

Schools should be preparing students to live successful lives. Part of being a successful adult is knowing that certain things are are only acceptable in certain situations. School dress codes should reflect those of the office environment; slacks and and button down shirt or polo with many employers permitting jeans and t-shirts on Fridays.

If young women want to change into something that bares midriff and then go hang out with their friends after the school day is over, all the more power to them. Schools could even reinforce the message about there being a time and a place for various types of dress by lettting students use the school locker room to change outfits before leaving school for the day.

[RainCaster]

7. IMO, "country club casual" is a good look for Fridays

Midriffs would be OK on Fridays. Teach the kids about dressing like grown-ups.

[Wonder Why]

9. All the protestors were boys and their dads! :-)

[BigmanPigman]

10. I taught 6th grade in San Diego

And I recall the girls wanting to cover themselves up since they thought they looked fat if they had muffin top over their jeans.

The teachers were the worst fashion disasters I have ever seen in my life!!! Totally unprofessional and really tacky...wearing jogging suits most of the time. I don't know which was a worse fashion statement but I prefer to get rid of those hideous tracksuits. I was had a "fashion" career before teaching and I was appalled by the outfits on the teachers more than the students. YUK!!!!! They should have been forced to look at themselves in a mirror, front and back views. My former fashion colleagues were as appalled as I was.