posted July 23, 2008
My 15-year-old granddaughter will be attending another school in another state this year. Already, I can see improvement in her attitude. She's more excited about school, more upbeat and positive about learning.
My granddaughter and I can talk about anything. This past school year she became so frustrated that she seriously began to talk about dropping out at the first opportunity. From day to day the rules seemed to change. Sometimes within the day in the morning there would be one rule and by afternoon another. Once, during lunchtime, students were threatened they would not be allowed into the lunchroom unless they removed their sweaters. The lunchroom is situated in such a way that students must walk outside the school building before entering the cafeteria. It was a cold day. Of course, being the chip off the old block, my granddaughter in protest skipped lunch that day and refused to eat. Her way of standing up and protesting an injustice.
Then there were the dress codes that often said one thing one moment and another the next. The students often got mixed and confusing messages and were punished for the most minor infractions. Placing all those stresses on young people I can see how it could lead to outbursts of negative behavior.
My granddaughter's mother took off work to register my granddaughter at her new school. Recently, when I went to visit I encountered a much happier, vibrant, excited young lady I'd not seen in a very long time. In fact, in the past I would often see signs of depression setting in. She said to me when I visited, "Granny, guess what? We can even wear blue jeans, and even flip flops. The only thing we can't wear are those sleeveless type Ts unless we have a sleeved shirt on with it. The school expressed the rules in a manner that was not confusing, easy to follow. The school staff welcomed her without prejudice and/or suspicion.
The atmosphere in the school is a positive one, conducive to one needed for a student to learn without fear and all the restrictions. Without having to constantly walk as if one might be stepping on eggshells all the time and will be severely punished if one breaks.
They even have the ROTC program, therefore she will be able to transfer and continue that as well. Her dreams are to follow in the footsteps of all her aunts, uncles, great aunts, uncles and join the military. I know she'll succeed on every level, academically, socially and all else.
Brenda Manghane~Washington
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Oh Brenda,
If being told one thing and then another or changing rules stress your granddaughter so, she best not join the military.
During my time in the Air Force, this was just how business was done. I wouldn't trade my time in
service for anything, it was just something an airman had to learn to accept and deal with in the best way he or she could.
Come to think of it, I have experienced the same daily rule changes in civilian life many times over. It is just one of those frustrating aspects of life I suppose.
I hope your granddaughter's new school and relaxed dress code aid in her academic development. However, such leniency seldom lasts very long before some higher up decides more rules are needed.
Michael Rhudy
michael-rhudy@utc.edu
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I agree that the constant dress code changes can be very confusing. Teachers, principles, students, and parents can read and interpret these regulations differently.
As I've written many times before, it's difficult when the code changes from year to year.
Parents cannot buy clothing slightly bigger hoping the child will be able to wear it more than one year. In the case of our school, stripes are not allowed on shirts this year. What's even crazier to me is there are all these particular standards for the middle school, but the feeder high school is relatively slack on the dress code in comparison.
I'll be glad when my child gets to high school and dress code is one less thing to stress about.
Ann Williams
Chattanooga
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The first year of middle school for my step-son was when he was introduced to dress codes and various rules. For a boy who had never worn a belt in his life, I was very proud that he went four months before forgetting for the first time. When he did forget his belt that day, he was forced to sit by himself in the hall until I could get there with it, about an hour later.
That turned me against not only dress codes, but the zero-tolerance school administrators have against minor infractions. I heard stories of menstruating girls being disciplined for bringing Advil to school. Silly, silly stuff.
Exactly how was my step-son's education or character improved by the humiliating treatment he received over a missing belt? We got him and his sister into CSAS as soon as we could and they greatly enjoyed dressing in clothes that were comfortable to them.
I personally would not have minded the dress code had it been administered with a little bit of grace. An adult cannot follow every rule perfectly every time - certainly a child should not be expected to do so.
Lisa Bluford
Hixson
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