Springtime at Central Kitsap High brings warmer weather, more sunshine, and an abundance of dress code violations. As temperatures begin to rise the students begin to change their wardrobe style to compensate for the hot temperatures. Shorts, T-Shirts, and Tank Tops all become popular clothing items for students to wear daily. Although these new outfits allow for students to feel comfortable in the heat, they also lead to students being “dress coded” 

The slang term “dress coded” becomes apart of the common language among students in the spring and summer time. It refers to the act of receiving a referral due to wearing an article of clothing that violates the dress code. This often leads to students receiving a referral, detention,  or even being sent home to change.

Students are generally unsatisfied with the current dress code. Many express a strong opinion on the topic and take out their anger by pointing out the flaws in the system.

Senior Reece Wood expressed his opinion and believes the dress code is relatively unfair and targets specific groups of students over others.

“I honestly think it is a bit sexist. Girls are constantly being dress coded for wearing tank tops and guys are not. It’s the same idea, both are exposing the same areas,” stated Senior Reece Wood.

There’s a subtle message being sent out and it is beginning to appear as if the dress code does not represent all students equally.

“If you are going to dress code females for wearing tank tops then you should dress code guys as well. I understand how some students view it as unfair,” stated Wood.

Students recognize that there are some clothing items that are inappropriate to wear in an academic environment, but are the restrictions on the dress code too strict?

“I understand some things are inappropriate to wear at school, but I should be able to wear a tank top especially when the weather is hot,” stated junior Erika Perry

A few student  even have run in with the dress code themselves. Sometimes it’s unavoidable especially with the the new trends in popular clothing.

“It becomes difficult to shop for clothes especially spring apparel at stores. A lot of the popular items these days for students to wear violates the dress code,” stated Perry.

The counterargument to the outlash against the dress code is that you are in an academic environment whilst attending school.

“I totally understand the main focus while at school is academics, but I’m just confused on why male academics are placed over a females.” sated perry “They are pulling girls out of class and sending them home to go home and change, which is depriving them of their academics all in an attempt to provide limited distractions for the guys,” stated Perry.

Additionally, in other locations the dress code is not as strict. The weather tends to be hotter so students are allowed a little flexibility on what they are allowed to wear.

“Students in other places like hawaii don’t have dress codes and it doesn’t seem to harm the student’s academic focus,” stated Perry.

“And when the dress code is enforced it’s not made as big of a deal is it is here,” stated Perry.  

There seemed to be a common agreement that students and administrators can both do a better job on obeying and enforcing the dress code.  

“Honestly some students take it too far we are in an academic environment and the key focus is learning. Although some administration can get nit picky as well, like we are in high school we should be able be mature enough to focus” stated Wood.