Parents, students learn details of new dress code

By Sean Barron

Hoodies and skull caps are two examples of items that will be banned starting in September.

AUSTINTOWN — Changes to the dress-code policy for the middle and high schools are on the horizon, but they likely won’t make a big difference for Barb Schorrnack’s seventh-grade daughter.

Her daughter is part of Austintown Middle School’s dance line, and the revisions will probably mean she won’t be able to wear certain T-shirts to school beginning next school year.

Schornack said after Thursday’s dress-code meeting that she understands the need for the new policy and that the changes are a good idea.

“[My daughter] is not having a fit yet,” she said with laughter.

About 150 people attended the hourlong session at Austintown Middle School, which was designed to educate parents, staff and students about the revised dress code to be implemented in September at the middle school and Austintown Fitch High School.

The changes will target an estimated 2,800 to 2,900 students in grades six through 12, noted Chris Berni, a middle-school assistant principal who conducted the session.

Berni outlined what will and won’t be acceptable dress wear beginning next school year, as well as circumstances under which certain articles of clothing will be permitted. For example, students will have to refrain from wearing head coverings such as hoods, headbands and skull caps, as well as body piercings, except for permissible types of ear wear, Berni explained.

Most T-shirts and sweat shirts will be prohibited, though students will be allowed to wear such items that display logos and other writing affiliated with the two schools. Examples will include emblems depicting the schools’ athletic teams, he continued.

Some exemptions are built into the policy, such as those based on a student’s religious beliefs, Berni pointed out. Those requests will have to be made in writing to the principal at least 24 hours in advance, he said.

Berni also mentioned consequences for violations, which include verbal warnings, detention and in-school restrictions.

The assistant principal explained that the dress-code policy needed to be revised largely to enhance the image of students and the school; strengthen the learning environment for classroom instruction; prevent disruptions and distractions to the educational process as well as staff and students; and improve the atmosphere for school pride and personal appearance.

A few months ago, the school board approved the changes, which are largely a result of more than a year of research that looked at similar districts and school systems with such a dress code in place, said Berni, who also sits on a committee of parents, teachers, school officials and board members that recommended the revisions.