Dress code debate: Should girls wear leggings as pants?
ATLANTA - A petition led by a fifth-grade Atlanta Public Schools student to allow girls to wear leggings as pants have now garnered more than 700 signatures of support, as the school board plans to review the current dress code policy at its upcoming board meeting.
The petition on change.org created by fifth-grader Falyn Handley of Springdale Park Elementary calls for APS to remove the words "distraction" or distracting" from the student handbook. The petition states:
"Girls should not be pulled out of class or embarrassed for wearing leggings, which is happening now. Boys and girls should be able to manage their "distractions" and reactions. I am not a distraction and me wearing leggings is not a distraction. The world is full of distractions, but how you react to situations is YOUR problem."
Parents told FOX 5 News, female students are currently advised to wear an appropriate-length dress or shirt over leggings. Current handbook policy states "clothing, hairstyles, and jewelry must not be distracting... Extremely tight clothing, sagging shorts or trousers, or baggy, oversized clothing is not permitted."
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A spokesperson for Atlanta Public Schools said the policy will be reviewed at the November 13 school board meeting. A statement reads:
"Atlanta Public Schools is aware of student-led petitions calling for dress code changes, and we have been working with our students, along with other stakeholders, to craft revisions that work for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. The Board of Education will review proposed changes to the student dress code at their November meeting. Board Members have made it a priority to update the policy, which has not been changed in 10 years. APS is committed to ensuring that the lines of communication remain open and the thoughts and opinions of students continue to be heard and respected, on this issue and others."