Dear Editor:
What happened to pride, dignity, responsibility, professionalism, respect, leading by example, expectations and standards?
I’m talking about wearing appropriate attire at school.
Not all too long ago, Principals and teachers dressed like the professionals they are, wearing suits, dress shirts and pants, and proper shoes.
Students were expected to dress appropriately as well. No bare shoulders, short cut shorts, bellies showing, and removing hats when entering a building.
These standards reinforced for our children to be polite and respectful.
I am a parent of a student in the Kincaid School where the principal wears shorts, a t-shirt and bare feet. Teachers come dressed casual as if they are a next-door neighbour out in their yard. Students are coming to school in low cut tops, crop tops, strapless tops and very short shorts. Hardly proper attire for a learning environment.
Our educators, instructors, and coaches should be leading by example and dressing the part. Having respect for their profession.
I spoke with the principal and the superintendent of school operations about a dress code. This is something that is not supported by our school or school board.
The only explanation I received was about the attire of the students. It was suggested to me by the principal that it would be considered body shaming if the school implemented any kind of dress code.
It is not body shaming to reinforce to our kids responsibly, respect, dignity and standards. This is found in businesses, banks, churches, medical centres, restaurants, construction sites, even on the golf course.
All these venues have a dress code. Many private schools have dress codes, school uniforms for students and professional dress for staff. The concession at the lake where my daughter had a summer job serving ice cream had a dress code posted on the wall for the staff, "No low-cut tops, no crop tops and no short shorts’"
Principals, teachers and all school staff represent the school.
What happened to having standards?
Rosalie Schmaltz-Swanson
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
