Board approves dress code for Sto-Rox School District
McKEES ROCKS, Pa. (KDKA) -- A dress code for the Sto-Rox School District students is coming next year.
Sto-Rox School District students in grades K-12 will be given a specific list of dos and don't's for the upcoming school year.
But why now?
The school board says they wanted to "provide an environment where the focus is on learning, and the distractions of dress are kept to a minimum."
Oftentimes, dress codes can be instituted to address gang activity or violence.
The Stowe Township police chief shared a different rationale.
"I think they're just trying to get a little more uniformity, maybe keep out the things that cause a ruckus atmosphere. I'm not so sure that it would do too much with the crime because we don't seem to have things that are gang-related per se, like colors going out there like that," said Stowe Township Police Chief Matthew Perininger.
Still, for all students in the district, there is a list of items that cannot be worn.
- Headwear: No hats, bandanas, durags, bonnets, or any item the school administration deems to impede instruction.
- Shoes: No flip-flops, split-toe sandals, slippers, slides, or open-heel/toe footwear exist.
- Pants must be worn at the waist.
- There are no bottoms that expose underwear, undergarments, or midriff (the front of the body between the chest and the waist).
- There are no ripped garments with exposed skin.
- No tops expose the midriff (the front of the body between the chest and the waist), upper chest, or shoulders.
- No clothing or jewelry that features illegal paraphernalia, weapons, profanity, or remarks that are obscene and offensive or imply unsafe behavior.
In terms of what they must wear within the walls of all schools in the district, the list is equally involved, but in general, only solid color tops of black, gray, green, or white, and only solid color bottoms of black, green, or khaki.
Stowe Township resident Abby Rose has family members who attend Sto-Rox schools.
"I don't think, especially in this town, that parents can afford to buy clothing for their children that meets those requirements. And I don't think it's going to work. And I think a lot of parents are going to be very upset about it," said Rose.
How are the parents or guardians going to afford this?
The district only says that if you can't afford it, talk to your school counselor.
The school district also told KDKA-TV on Tuesday that they're hoping to plan fundraisers in the future for families who will struggle with costs.
Nothing definite is planned at this moment. School resumes in about two months.
