As the 2017-18 school year rolled in, students were reminded in a not-so-subtle way about how infractions of the dress code would not be tolerated. If the 15-minute review of what to wear and what not to wear wasn’t clarifying enough, let me explain it more thoroughly.

Principal Anne Moore and Board of Education President Ginny Murphy both had the same slogan in regard to how the Dress Code is meant to affect students: “Dress for Success”. Administrators and the Board of Education meet to review the policies, and the language of the policies as they see needed, and their main goal is to keep the dress code fair, effective, and for the most part, modern.  Changes in fashion is a big part of any changes made to the dress code policy, but that does not include bare shoulders, as of right now. The main concern with off-the-shoulder tops and tank-tops are the possible undergarment straps showing, which is seen as inappropriate to administrators. Though the thought of undergarment straps may seem outdated, Ms. Moore adds that how every student dresses influences the school day.  When revising issues like bare shoulders in the dress code, the policy goes through stages of administrators, a school improvement committee, and finally the Board of Education. All three of these parties are often open to the idea of modernizing the policy, and will welcome any respectful concerns and students or parents may have about the dress code. As for the issue concerning discrimination between boys and girls, Mrs. Murphy added, “While the girls may have more to take into account while dressing to fit what the dress code outlines as appropriate for school, boys and girls are held to the same standards when complying with the policy”.

In addition to the recycled dress code from last year, the district has come up with a new and improved homework policy that will be enforced this school year. The main improvement for students especially, is the new rule regarding homework on the weekends.  This new homework policy wants to eliminate or cut down on students’ workload over the weekend. This does not include assignments with Monday due dates after there has been a long period of time to complete it, but instead it focuses getting rid of those minor assignments over the weekends so students will have more time to immerse themselves in more important things like studying, big projects, and ultimately free time spent doing whatever they please.

The homework policy is meant to keep students in all grades “challenged and motivated” assured Ms. Moore.  Completing homework on top of any sports or extracurriculars you may be involved in is the best time-management development that students will get throughout their education.