Trying to Convince.

[IsaacM]

In our school's dress code, it doesn't state anything about wearing kilts or "skirts". However, the main rule of the entire dress code is that the school administration has the final say on what will be allowed in the school. Of course, I have every right to where it, but the administration has every right to kick me off of school grounds if I refuse to obey.

Sticky situation, but I think the only way to be allowed to where a kilt is to positively convince the principal in allowing me. The last thing I want to do is cause a big ruckus and start complaining to a lawyer that my rights are being suppressed.

Writing a letter seems to be a very good idea. Several of my friends have also stated that I should make a petition, which they would willingly sign.

For Fall Formal I think I will have to settle with a Campbell Tartan Neck-tie. But I am going to try my hardest to wear a kilt to prom without getting on the school's sour side.

Thank you all very much and keep any extra advice coming.

[Strings]

Isaac: is the dress code available online? I'd kinda like to take a look at it...

[carlb]

I'd like to echo the commendations that have been sent your way regarding your handling of this - quite mature and organized. Kudos for that.

I don't have much of substance to add. If the administration plays the "too distracting" card regarding the prom, I would be tempted to find photos from previous proms, point out any number of the girls' dresses which had (I'm sure) short skirts or revealing necklines and ask how a kilt is any more distracting than those.

Good luck!

[ccga3359]

Issac I admire you maturity in this matter. I suggest that you continue to seek different avenues and wish you every success in this matter. Research everything you can think of, discrimination law, perhaps past kilted proms that your principals are aware of things of that nature. Fight the good fight and don't make it personal. Allowing your emotions to come forth will lose you this battle. A battle you've shown that you deserve to win.

[mbhandy]

Here is the dress code for the high school I went to.


The Waltrip High School Official Dress Code
English en español.

S. P. WALTRIP SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
DRESS CODE FOR 2009-2010

A UNIFORM DRESS CODE HAS BEEN ADOPTED AT WALTRIP BY OUR SHARED DECISION-MAKING COMMITTEE (SDMC) TO HELP CREATE A POSITIVE AND SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. THIS ENVIRONMENT WILL ALLOW STUDENTS TO FOCUS MORE ON LEARNING RATHER THAN ON THE PRESSURES OF DRESS SOMETIMES IMPOSED UPON THEM BY PEERS.

STUDENT ID BADGES are a required part of the dress code. They must be worn above the waist and visible at all times.

SHIRTS will be bright red (maroon is not acceptable), light gray, dark gray, or navy blue, polo style with a collar. Also acceptable is a dress shirt with a button-down collar in light blue Oxford material and any Waltrip approved shirt including Academy, sports, club, etc shirts. (NO HOMEMADE SHIRTS OR BLOOD DRIVE SHIRTS ARE ALLOWED). All shirts must be tucked inside the waistband so that no midriff shows and buttoned so that no cleavage shows.

PANTS/SLACKS must be navy blue or khaki tan color; no denim/jean material and cannot be painter or cargo pants with pockets on the side of the legs. They must clear the floor, fit at the waist, and not be baggy, skin tight, ripped or frayed. Capri style pants or shorts are not allowed.

SKIRTS/JUMPERS must be navy blue or khaki tan in color, no denim or jean material. Skirts are to be no shorter than three (3) inches above the knee when standing upright or kneeling. An approved shirt must be worn with the jumper dress. No overalls or skorts are allowed.

BELTS are suggested, but not required.

SHOES must have backs or heel straps to prevent injury on the stairs. No flip-flops or house shoes are allowed.

COLD WEATHER: If students wish to wear outerwear during the school day, they must purchase the approved Waltrip pullover or letter jacket.

ACCESSORIES: Clothing, jewelry, or hats with profane language, references to death, violent acts, gang activities, illegal drugs, sex, or tobacco MAY NOT be worn. Tattoos with reference to items described in this paragraph may not be visible. Any jewelry deemed unsafe by a principal may not be worn, will be confiscated, and returned to a parent after meeting with the principal.

· Hair must be neat. Hair must be a natural color. No grooming devices are to be worn in the hair. Hats, caps, bandanas, do-rags, or hoods are not to be worn in the building.

· Sunglasses are not to be worn in the building except by written approval of the school nurse, after receiving a doctor’s directive to that effect.

· Students may not wear body jewelry in the nostrils, eyebrows, lip, or any other place but the ear (maximum of two [2] earrings per ear). If you have facial piercings, you must either wear a clear shunt or have them covered by a Band-Aid. Bracelets and necklaces are limited to two (2).

· Jackets, sweaters, and shirts, etc. may not be tied around the waist or neck. They must be worn appropriately, be carried, or placed in lockers. Pants cannot be rolled up above the ankle.

· All backpacks/book bags brought to school must be clear or mesh material. Sports bags may not be carried during school hours.

· Administrators will determine whether or not the dress and decorum of a student meet the standards of the school. Any clothing article, jewelry, etc. deemed to be unsafe by an administrator will not be permitted.



Students in violation of the dress code will be sent to their academy office to contact a parent or rent the appropriate clothing item. Students not able to comply with the dress code within a reasonable time will be sent to the Student Referral Center (SRC).

Revised 8-4-09


As you can see you must wear a uniform style apparel to school but it does not say what must be worn to a dance??????

The school I went to went thru a gang and drug problem but by going to a uniform a lot of that has gone away. Thank god we did not have that problem when I went to school. (I was sent to the Barbers to get a hair cut. I had let it grow over the summer to a Beatles style.) My Drama coach interceded and I got to keep my hair style.

Always good to have a teacher to help with that kind of thing. You might want to seek one out.

MrBill

[ccga3359]

...Always good to have a teacher to help with that kind of thing. You might want to seek one out.

MrBill

MrBill

Perhaps there is a good suggestion, a teacher you can trust to guide, suggest, go to bat for or to ensure that you will dress and act appropriately when kilted at the dance.

[Ian.MacAllan]

I think "too distracting" means "not obviously covered in the 'Manual for Principals' and therefore requiring me to exercise independent judgment; I'm not going to do that because I'm not willing to be distracted from my routine activities."

I apologize for being unable to show much charity toward the principal in this sort of situation.

.

[kiltedsawyer]

Isaac,
As has been said; kudos to you for being so mature about this. My advice would be to submit your request in writing, but write it in such a way that the principal has to read the entire letter to then get to your request. In other words, make your case first, then make the request. This way it will hopefully not be dismissed without your case being heard. Good Luck to you.
Respectfully,
David

[jkane]

If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again.

If you say something enough times, people will believe it no matter how absurd it is.

Keep the talk going with the principal. Buy him lunch one day. ;-) I used to do that when I was in school. But we only had 80 students so it was quite intimate. We didn't have a layer of vice people to deal with!

Seriously, keep the talk going. Bring the topic up every chance you get. After a while people will get numb to the idea and it just won't be an issue.

Personally, I would have just did it without asking permission. If I was really worried about it, I would bring a pair of pants to change into if they banned me from entrance with out them.

[IsaacM]

I wore pants to the dance last weekend. It was still fairly fun.

I'm going to let the situation die down a little bit, and then write a letter to the Principal asking for him to reconsider. I want to keep the letter short and sweet, but make sure it has all the facts I want to get across. I will, of course, post it here and let you guys make suggestions before I print it an send it.

I'll also state in the letter that if I am given permission with plenty of time to prepare, I will try to rent/borrow a Waistcoat, dress sporran, and a few other little things the complete the outfit.

So expect to see a letter up sometime in the next few weeks. If necessary, I already have a bunch of people that are willing to sign a petition.

Thanks again and please continue your support. I plan to be kilted for Prom!