Dress Code: Do people truly follow it?

Photo Credit: Teddy Minchin

You would think something like the dress code would be followed by students because it has been a rule since the opening of the school and has been enforced for a long time. But, there is wide agreement that it’s not quite the case for GCDS Upper School’s dress code. Are punishments not severe enough for students? Are there punishments at all? Or do people seem to get away with only sort of wearing the dress code? 

Brennan, a 9th grader, is the first to admit that he does not follow the dress code, but doesn’t get caught. He says, “There’s days where I’ll wear sweatpants and a hoodie and no one will say anything, so personally, I don’t think it’s enforced enough. I see a decent amount of students who don’t wear dress code – like my friends – and I can get away with wearing hoodies and sweatpants.”

Many believe that the issue at hand is the lack of enforcement. Mr. Piotrzkowski  says, “Well, I would say that just from observing students in the hallway it is obvious that it is not uniformly enforced. I believe this is supposed to be enforced in the first round when you walk into Advisory, they should be looking at it, but sometimes kids miss Advisory.” Simon, an 11th grader, agrees by noting the dress code is “…sorta pointless, nobody follows it and it’s not enforced.” 

Some students believe that the dress code has already changed. Chloe says, “I think the dress code has changed and people get away with not following the dress code more now than they would have in the first week of school.” 

Conversely, Sabrina, an 11th grader, disagrees: “I don’t think the dress code has changed much because most of the rules are still in place, however people have begun to take it more leniently.” 

Opinions on the dress code are not as black and white as they seem, however. Some students like the dress code, but think some small, beneficial changes can be made. Chloe says, “I think that I like the dress code and how we kind of have a little bit of freedom with what we are allowed to wear.” Mr. Piotrzkowski agrees with Chloe by saying, “I believe the dress code is appropriate especially when we have opportunities from town hall to sometimes have dress down days.” 

Kylie, an 11th grader, says, “I like the dress code. I just wish we could wear sweatshirts that are not only GCDS’. They are literally making us buy their sweaters and sweatshirts that cost so much money.” 

Chase and Max, 10th graders, not wearing the proper dress code.

Photo Credit: Teddy Minchin

Zach, an 11th grader, thinks the dress code is fair for the boys: “I also think the dress code (I can only speak on the boys) is pretty fair. Any collared shirt, polo or button-down, and khaki shorts or pants are pretty relaxed in my book.” Zach also says, “I wouldn’t even mind bringing back the old [middle school] dress code because I also personally think we looked good and put together, and it probably reflected a professional look on our school.”

Gender equality is another issue some students want to be addressed in the dress code. The females at GCDS disagree with Zach’s perspective and think that the dress code is unfair.  For instance, Jordyn, an 11th grader, says some students have had negative experiences with female teachers using sexist language to describe their appearance in their outfits. She further explained, “It’s like leading into this weird culture that we have in school that’s like telling female students specifically that they need to cover up at the expense of guys.” Riya, an 11th grader, agrees with this and says, “No girl can control what she has and how clothes fit on their body so it’s just like if clothes fit that way no one can do anything about it.” Jordyn then referenced the student handbook, saying, “Our dress code also has the word ‘distraction’ in it two times. Once is referring to political campaigns and the second time is referring to skirts. So I think that’s really upsetting.”

Dr. Barratt, when asked about her opinions on the dress code, includes a socio-economic class element. She says, “I think students should ask questions about the dress code to understand and perhaps question why aspects of the dress code exist and if they can be changed. After a revision process based on a justified dress code, it should be enforced. GCDS gear that meets code should be readily available for purchase: khakis, skirts, shorts, a variety of shirts.”

Will GCDS continue to have the same dress code policy or will GCDS get rid of it completely because it’s not taken seriously? Many questions arise because students, teachers, and even the administration have different opinions about the GCDS dress code and what its future will look like. Will it be more thoroughly enforced? Will there be punishments? Or will it continue to stay the same?