April 1 2024, Mr. Tice, the new Salisbury High School Vice Principal, is reinforcing the dress code on Salisbury High School students.
Mr. Tice worked at Whitehall High School as a Biology and Chemistry teacher for 13 years, and came to Salisbury to be our new Vice principal on Jan 29, 2024.
On April 1, there was an email sent out to the entire high school. It included a strict reinforcement of the dress code.
The following words below can be found in the Salisbury High School Handbook (click here for access).
The email that was sent included that “all clothing must cover areas from one armpit across to the other armpit, down to approximately halfway in length on the upper Photo from SHS Handbook
thighs, and all shirts must have straps.”
“All shirts must contact the top of the waistline and not expose any portion of the torso. Rips or tears in clothing must be lower than the upper thigh area.”
It was also stated that “Failure to follow the headwear policy will result in disciplinary action. For revealing clothing, you may be required to change your clothes, cover up with clothing provided by the school, or be picked up by a parent/guardian. Like the headwear policy, continued violation will result in disciplinary action.”
The students of Salisbury High School have a variety of thoughts and feelings regarding this email. Some students disagree with the dress code and find it difficult to follow for females.
“I understand where it comes from, but I don’t agree with what it says”, said Allyson Fatzinger, a Freshman.
According to Kylee Baughman, a Freshman, “It’s really hard to find clothes that meet the expectations. The shorts you would get at the mall for women are not mid thigh. Also people’s styles these days are unique, and the requirement to wear mid-thigh shorts may not be suitable for many girls. I understand not having really short shorts, but again I feel like it’s taking away people’s styles and they could at least put that shorts shouldn’t show any of your butt and/or any inappropriate areas. Same with the shirt, I think girls could wear crop tops if it’s in their style, just it shouldn’t show any inappropriate parts of the upper body.”
While some peers agree with what the dress code is strictly saying.
“It’s nothing new, because every vice principal I have seen always has to address the dress code to the students,” said Zack Baab, a Senior.
“I think the email and reinforcement is definitely needed for school and I think it should be properly taught. I think removing any part of sexual appeal (especially towards students) is greatly needed. For example, skin tight shorts that are really short are NOT needed for female individuals also that are especially minors, men start looking at women all the time because of what they even wear (not 100% of men)”, said Slade Crocus, a freshman.
“I think women’s tops should be fine if it’s a standard shirt like a half circle around the neck but once breasts are even slightly shown I think it should be restricted. I think as a whole, school is meant for a safe environment where all kids may express themselves as long as it fits all requirements of the Hand book. I think it is important to watch what is wearable on school grounds and what is not, the best thing to do is to preserve the good minds of young adults and not have any risks of any sexual desires.”, Slade said.
Every year changes to the student handbook are considered including the student dress code. There’s always a possibility that student input could change the handbook along with the dress code.
