Crystal’s View

The limitations to what kids can wear to school these days has gone too far in my opinion. When a student has to have a wardrobe that lacks primary colors, there is a problem.

The issue of dress code at public schools is the target of a lawsuit in Las Vegas. The American Civil Liberties Union took on the Clark County School District when a teenage girl was suspended from school for wearing a shirt with religious symbols. Seriously? Yes, seriously.

Schools in Clark County can adopt dress code policies that students must adhere to. Let me tell you how ridiculous some of these policies are. My nephew, who is a sophomore at Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas, cannot wear any clothing that is red, orange, purple, pink or maroon. Blue jeans are also banned. Is that necessary? Can you imagine going shopping for school clothes and having to look for shirts, pants and shoes that exclude the above? Not only is that a task in itself, but how boring and ridiculously stupid.

What I’m saying here is that I support the ACLU’s argument that “The lesson from this particular decision may be that the Supreme Court, when it said ’students don’t lose their constitutional right at the schoolhouse door,’ may no longer apply.”  

When I was in school, which was only 13 years ago, wearing cut off jean shorts and shirts exposing the bare midriff were the extent of getting sent to the office. Vulgar language and nudity on clothing was also a no-no. But, the rules have gone too far. I definitely agree there should be a limit to what kids should and should not wear to school. No doubt there are too many 12 year olds running around like they’re Pamela Anderson (minus 30 years), but to limit color and blue jeans from the classroom is just bullshit.

The local chapter of the ACLU is vowing to fight the federal court of appeals decision in the aforementioned case. It will probably lose, but maybe this will get parents talking about school districts’ bureacractic policies. Besides, school leaders should be focusing on education; teaching kids to read, write and speak proper English… not to mention keeping sexual predators out of the classroom. Especially here in Clark County, Nevada.