LETTER 1December 11, 1998
Mr. Fred Harbison, Principal, and Members of the Site-Based Decision Making Council
Atherton High School
3000 Dundee Road
Louisville, KY 40205Dear Mr. Harbison and SBDM Members:
We are writing to express our concerns about and opposition to the proposed dress code. We are especially concerned about the following issues:
1. What is the real problem? If there is a potential or actual problem with security, gangs or violence at Atherton, parents and students should be informed. The Safety and Climate Task Force members have implied rather mysteriously that there are "problems." Undoubtedly there are fights and discipline problems (even schools where students wear uniforms have them), but if the problems are as serious as this Task Force suggests then we as a school community need to be dealing with the underlying issues not the surface issues. Are there racial problems? Are students bringing guns and drugs to school? Are gangs becoming a stronger presence? If so, let's talk about it openly (no names of course) and honestly and work together to address these underlying problems.
2. Are there better solutions? If there are real problems then we need real solutions. Neither a stricter dress code nor uniforms will eliminate these kinds of serious problems. We can't imagine that anyone, least of all our students, believes for a minute that violence, gang and drug problems are solved by a dress code or uniform. Please, let's be honest with ourselves and drop that line before we lose all credibility. Perhaps we need to focus on encouraging tolerance of differences among students, teaching conflict resolution and anger management skills and developing peer mediation groups. Perhaps the school needs parents' support to obtain the resources to identify, isolate and deal appropriately with students who are frequent trouble makers. We cannot, however, support the school or assist in any way if we don't know what the problems are, and if we aren't allowed to participate in finding solutions.
3. The process stinks!!! We are shocked and appalled at the way the Climate and Safety Task Force meetings have stifled meaningful dialog and debate on this issue. Many members of the Task Force and the SBDM Council appear to be railroading the proposal through when it is perfectly clear that there is no consensus among students and parents. We can't believe that this process is what was envisioned when the SBDM concept was formed.
4. Opportunity knocks! Situations like this will arise many times in the course of our children's lives. As parents and educators we should see this as some version of a "teachable moment." This issue is obviously something that many of our students care about. Why not use it is as an opportunity for teaching them how to resolve difficult issues? Yes, our students need to learn how to behave in and dress for a work environment. It is even more important, however, that they learn the skills for participating in a democratic decision-making process. They need to learn how they can participate and shape the resolution of many kinds of issues in our community, nation and world.
Attached are copies of previous correspondence we have sent regarding this issue, since we are not sure whether you have received them. We would be happy to talk about this (456-4605) and would also be happy to help develop a more meaningful approach to identifying and solving these issues. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Lisa Hite and Jeremy Levine (parents of Eli Levine, sophomore)
1405 Tyler Park Dr.
Louisville, KY 40204
LETTER 2
Dec. 8, 1998
Mr. Fred Harbison, Principal
Atherton High School
3000 Dundee Rd.
Louisville, KY 40205Dear Mr. Harbison,
As a parent of an Atherton freshman, I would like to state my opposition to the new uniform-based dress code as proposed by the Safety Task Force. I would like this letter to be included in any submission of parental opinion made to the SBDM.
Before I attended the Task Force meeting on Monday the 7th, I was mildly opposed to the proposed code - now I am strongly opposed.
While I object to the code itself, which I will discuss below, I am also disturbed by the process being used to promote this code. The Task Force meeting was appalling. By refusing to allow questions from the floor and statements from the parents who had taken time to come to the meeting, the Task Force showed its lack of concern with the opinions of affected parties, parents and students. Instead they allowed only for their own predetermined defense of the code, and blocked out expression of any other opinions, suggested modifications, contrary evidence, and legitimate concerns.
I am aware that they are following the usual procedure for most of their deliberations, but this decision of theirs has much wider ramifications than most other issues, affects all Atherton families directly, and calls for a greater level of sensitivity to community concerns and a process of public comment and debate. If any sort of code is ultimately to be effectively put into action, it will require the cooperation of this community. If the process of making this decision is perceived to be fair, even those who disagree with the decision reached will feel that they were heard, and will accept the decision.
As for the uniform proposal itself, I am far from convinced, based on what was presented, that it would have the desired effect on increasing safety, and at a cost to student autonomy and creativity.
· There is no measurable evidence that school uniforms are an aid to reducing incidents of violence and coercion, as the committee tried to to argue. There is no evidence that the present dress code has or has not been effective, either. Perhaps an effective and convincing case for both the need and the effectiveness of these specific proposed measures could be presented, but the Task Force has not done it.
· The specific rules for acceptable clothing are not all directed at safety (what, exactly, is the objection to spandex from a safety perspective? Or dyed hair?). It seems to codify a "preppy" style of dress as appropriate to decorum. While a higher level of decorum might be a goal of the code, it should not be disguised under the umbrella of "safety".
· If the idea is to reduce gang affiliation, isn't it better for administrators to KNOW who is involved in this sort of activity? Gangs are certainly clever enough to find subtle ways to identify themselves to each other - and this activity would be less evident to teachers and administrators.
· If the major safety concern is concealed weapons, then even the Task Force conceded that this dress code would not fully prevent that problem.
· The students who seem most at risk from this gang activity are those who come from neighborhoods where gangs are active and who are pressured to identify their allegiance, and this is certainly a serious problem. If the students - all the students - were to explore ways to help support them, even by voluntarily adopting a form of neutral dress that is acceptable to them, this process could be educational, empowering, and more effective than directives from above that virtually invite subversion.
· Adolescents use clothing as a form of self-expression, creativity, and identity formation. Savvy teachers can read the clues to get information about how the students see themselves and their place in the world, and turn it to educational advantage. While I don't believe that students have an inalienable right to dress however they please all of the time, and some concessions to civilization are required, they will resent and subvert attempts to make them conform, and their attitudes and responses should be taken seriously into consideration in the process and results of this code. A uniform will have an impact, and negative consequences in how students perceive their school deserve attention.
· The statement made at the Task Force meeting that a uniform would cause no additional expense for families is ludicrous. I would be required to buy a minimum of 3 pairs of khaki pants, belts, and at least 5 polo shirts - for an outlay of between $150 and $200, and would need to buy it all again every time my son grew through another size or two. All this in addition to the jeans and T-shirts he will still wear the moment he gets home from school, weekends and vacations. (Cost alone is not an argument against the code, but it is a consideration when you impose costs on parents and students without their consent in a fair process.)
· If each student requires $200 in clothing per year and there are about 1100 students at Atherton, what if that $220,000 per year were spent instead on school violence prevention consultants and counselors, on courses in nonviolent problem solving, on community interns, on student projects?
In sum, it seems to me much more wise and effective to seek solutions to these serious and legitimate safety concerns through education, community involvement, effective policing, creative problem-solving, and student empowerment, than by simply mandating that everyone dress alike. Perhaps the controversy over this process and proposed code could be a wake-up call for community support for the faculty, administration, and students of Atherton. Ultimately, the school would be stronger and better by effectively, aggressively, and creatively addressing these issues.
Sincerely,
Carol Ely
ely@iglou.comcc: Stephen W. Daeschner, Superintendent, JCPS
Beverly Moore, JCPS School Board
LETTER 3
December, 15, 1998
Dear SBDM Council Members
I am writing to you today to express my concern over the proposed new dress code and the push to pass it at the up-coming SBDM meeting. My son is a junior at Atherton this year and my daughter is a senior. My husband and I are both Jefferson County Public School teachers. I have thought long and hard about how the manner in which a student is dressed effects the educational environment.
Atherton has had a tradition of allowing students to dress to the current fashion. As an Atherton student in 1969 I remember the student council working to convince the administration to amend the dress code to allow the girls to wear pants suits. The administration listened to our argument and the dress code was amended. It may be argued that this time it is not just a matter of comfort and fashion. The School Climate and Safety Task force shared a concern that a small number of students use the manner in which they dress to declare their gang affiliation. I would say we are lucky if they do. In so doing it becomes easier to identify those students we must seek to counsel. As educators we are challenged to understand and reach out to the student who would for feelings of self worth and belonging, or for their own protection take up gang affiliation. These students will still be among the student body but less easily identified if the proposed dress code is implemented. These students that may threaten others would become "wolves in sheep's clothing".
As educators we are facilitated in our efforts to educate if we keep aware of the fashion trends and how our students choose to dress. Their dress is one way that they express themselves and their interests. I give this example. Teaching a third grade class I was becoming increasing concerned about Michael's lack of interest in the activities of the class. His performance was so scant and poor I even doubted his basic abilities.
This changed the day I commented on Michael's obviously new U of L sweatshirt. Michael had been to a game the night before. I soon found out he could name every player on the team, including those that sat the bench. He knew how many points each player had scored in the game the night before. Michael could certainly learn and I now perceived and avenue of interest through which to engage him in reading and math activities.
Teachers could learn something of my son's interest if they asked him about the "Yeti" logo on a favorite T-shirt. Yeti is a mountain bike company. Other favorite T-shirts name recently visited sites like the Chicago Art Institute, or name his favorite rock groups, Prodigy, Smashing Pumpkins, and Crosby Stills Nash (hey, there's one we can connect with). Teenagers today use their style of dress to express themselves.
If a certain group of students wear medallions or clothing as a sign of gang affiliation we need to ask them about it. We should seek to know these students and counsel them. They may not feel there are alternatives to gang association. We must get involved and begin to explore what the schools and community can offer.
Will we really impact gang activity with a fashion makeover? Let's get serious about violent and disenfranchised youth. Their hostilities will not go away when we change the manner in which they dress. They will only seek other ways to identify themselves to each other and go about their activities. They may become more difficult to recognize. Don't put the wolf in sheep's clothing! There are real problems to address. The dress code issue has brought them forward. Let's begin real dialogue and seek solutions, which could seriously impact the problems and not just cover them up in khaki!
I urge the teachers, administration and SBDM committee to forget this restrictive dress code which acts to strip the freedom of expression from a large number of harmless students. The misbehavior of a deviant minority does not justify taking a privilege from the majority. Most students dress in the fashion in which they feel comfortable and they choose to be seen as unique individuals. If at times they look odd to the adults, remember youth have always shunned the styles of the previous generation. Sixteen year olds seldom wish to look like the forty-something set.
Let's begin the difficult task of finding real ways to make Atherton a safe place to address what it has long held as it's purpose; Scholarship, Service and Self Respect.
Sincerely,
Kathleen K. Mynhier
LETTER 4
December 14, 1998
Dear SBDM Council at Atherton High School:
Research shows the way to motivate students and develop high moral standards is for them to participate in democratic values.
Dr. Rick Alleva and I met with Mr. Harbison and Mrs. Cantwell last Thursday to discuss the sensitive issue of the restrictive dress code and the underlying concerns. Dr. Alleva is a specialist in youth development, human services and climate and safety. My background and formal training is in school psychology and education.
We would like to offer the school something that will make a true difference in improving its climate and safety. We would work with you, the task force, teachers, students, administrators and parents to implement models to accomplish our shared goals.
It is our strong belief that you have an opportunity NOW, while energies are high over the dress code issue. With your support we can work together to invoke positive changes. The second part of our strong belief is we need to begin our teamwork BEFORE any final decisions are made on the dress code. Once the dress code issue passes we have then lost a real opportunity. We would be more than happy to discuss things further with you either in person, by phone, or email.
Our immediate recommendation to you is to slow down. How you deal with this is how the kids' energy will be carried on for the next two decades.
We can envision the next Courier Journal article showing Atherton as a model that other schools will want to follow. Take a moment to decide if you share that same vision.
Thank You,
Sincerely,
Sheila Tasman
1816 Kline Court
Louisville, Ky. 40205
home phone: 459-3442
email: d0tasm01@athena.louisville.educc: Stephen Daeschner
Beverly Moore
LETTER 5
TO: Atherton High School SBDM
Office of the Superintendent of Schools
Mr. HarbisonAs a step-parent of an Atherton student, I respectfully request that the SBDM Council delay its consideration of the proposed dress code until there is ample time for full and open dialog on the many concerns raised by students and parents.
If the purpose of moving to Site Based Decision Making was to do a better job of involving parents and the community in school policy-making, the current railroading of a new dress code policy at Atherton High School shows it to be an utter failure. Without any real opportunity for dialog, the SBDM Council plans to take a final vote this Thursday on the city*s most restrictive dress code. Although parents were promised specific answers to their many legitimate questions and misgivings at a school Safety and Climate Committee meeting last week, none were forthcoming. Now the SBDM plans to vote on a recommendation which includes no documented evidence of the effectiveness of dress codes in general, no rationale for the particular regulations proposed in the code, and inadequate opportunity for parent input.
There are many objections to the proposed dress codes. There may even be some excellent responses to those objections, but parents have not been given the opportunity to hear them. I do not presume to know all the concerns, but I list a few that are particularly important to me:
1. Where is the documentation that shows that dress codes produce the desired changes in student behavior? Surely there is research on this topic. Is it conclusive? Why was it not presented with the recommendation. The proposal reads like a *therefore* without any *whereases,* as if the writers enjoyed writing regulations much more than doing research.
2. What is the rationale for each of the provisions of this dress code. Some seem to address concerns over gang activity; others may relate to issues of modesty; some seem to simply reflect the fashion taste of those drafting the regulations.
3. Those supporting the new dress code speak of it *leveling the playing field* as far clothing, but the descriptions of acceptable clothing appear to come right out of some yuppie catalog. Sure, similar items may be available at K-Mart, but the difference will be painfully obvious. If they really wanted to do away with obvious differences in clothing, they would have required everyone to wear black oxford shoes, thereby eliminating the most expensive competition.
4. Both students and parents feel that they have been left out of this process. There has been limited provision for the expression of opinions, but no real opportunity for dialog. Are our opinions welcome? What happened to the promise that the Safety ClimateCommittee would review and respond to parents* specific concerns?
5. Are we going to attempt to remake Atherton in the image of a few peoples* idea of acceptability? Every school has a unique character, and Atherton*s has included respect for student freedom, creativity and participation. If implemented, the code would go a long way toward negating these Atherton traditions. So far, the process for developing and adopting the code has tromped all over them.
Thank you for you attention to my concerns. I would be most happy to discuss them with anyone from the SBDM or the school administration.
Sincerely,
Gary R. Cook
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