With a new principal this year, one of the biggest things being enforced is the dress code. Prior to this year, the dress code was a rule at our school, however, it was not heavily followed. The dress code is now stricter with things like images on our shirts, how long shirts are, and the number of colors (mainly blue and red) we can wear in one outfit. Many students have opinions on this newly enforced dress code as the majority feel this is a negative change for the school.

I interviewed two students, one boy and one girl from every grade from 9th and 12th and it was almost a unanimous vote that the dress code is not liked by students. Senior Serena Maldonaldo said that this enforced dress code does more harm than good as it “takes away the way students are able to express themselves and mainly applies to girls”. This opinion was one that was shared through various interviews that I did as all the girls felt it was unfair how many of the rules seemed like they were “sexist” and few rules applied to boys. When asked if she preferred this year’s or last year’s dress code, she said undoubtedly last year.

Although the enforced dress code is getting an unfavorable response from some students, it doesn’t mean that this new rule is terrible for our school. Some people also said that they held a neutral opinion or did not mind the dress code as they felt it did not really affect them. The opinion mainly came from male students one of them being Junior Roman Garza. He claimed that the dress code has not really changed the way he has dressed and has not limited his choice of clothing. “But the impact may also get backlash as people would want to express themselves though what they like.

As we look though the new dress code from a student’s perspective, we see that the majority of them feel it has had a more negative than positive effect on the school as people feel limited to as what they can wear and exhibit themselves. Students are the main voice of a school and it’s important to consider these opinions with years to come to help improve our school and make students feel heard when voicing their judgements.