There is no more difficult set of rules to enforce at school,
especially the high school, than dress code.
No matter what might be in writing, there is still much judgement
involved and when the principal’s judgement doesn’t match that of the parent,
we have conflict.
In light of recent events around the country there is
increased attention to our student code of conduct and, more specifically, the
depiction of weapons. Here in Calvert County
Schools, we have not permitted the wearing of clothing with graphics that
depict weapons. Exceptions are made for
certain versions of our school mascots and NJROTC uniforms.The relevant language from our Student Code of Conduct:
·
Garments which depict violence, sex, vulgarity or
other inappropriate scenes or wording or that advertise tobacco, alcohol or
drug-related products are not permitted.
·
Clothing and/or tattoos shall not convey symbols
or messages generally accepted to promote intolerance, hate, racial slurs,
sexual harassment or gang affiliation.
No doubt, weapons shown in certain contexts represent
violence. One might argue that a shirt with
a picture of an assault rifle represents violence.
But what about popular comic book figures? Often a T-shirt with an image from a recent
animated feature might depict weapons and violence.
What about a shirt with the name and logo of a popular
dining establishment?
- The Musket Room
- The Brass Cannon
- Shotgun Bar and Grill
There are also questions of free speech. A shirt advocating the right for citizens to
keep and bear arms by itself should be no problem, but what if it has a gun or
multiple guns in the graphic?
What about an axe, bow and arrow, sword or bowie knife? A silhouette of a hunter?
Should each and every image with a weapon be banned because
it represents violence in one form or another?
Our Students’ Rights,
Responsibilities and Code of Conduct is up for review and the Calvert
County Board of Education invites your feedback on this and any other issues
within it by May 23, 2018. You can read
the whole document here: http://bit.ly/2HWrQex
You may post comments to this blog or email them to the
Board’s Assistant, Karen Maxey maxeyk@calvertcounty.education
.