Dress code impacts WNY high school

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - Do your teen's clothes affect their ability to learn at school? Many public schools throughout the nation face challenges stemming from the way students dress.

One local school got tired of seeing students wear revealing fashions and decided to put an end to it.

“The dress code I think has transformed our environment, in terms of kids feeling really positive about themselves,” said Sweet Home High School Principal Joleen Reinholz.

Some Sweet Home High School officials said in the past they cringed just looking at students coming in with some of the most provocative outfits.

“People were wearing things that were showing too much skin,” said Becky Jasen, a Sweet Home High School junior.

Reinholz said, “What the kids were wearing to school was much more inappropriate and distracting.”

So they decided to do something about it. They tightened their original dress code.

For girls, they can't wear anything strapless. They also can't show any cleavage. Also, they must wear mid length skirts and shorts. As for the boys, they can't have their pants sagging and must wear shirts with sleeves.

  >>  Web extra: Review details from the dress code and look back on the old dress code

Students and faculty believe changing the dress code has changed some attitudes and behaviors.

“A lot of people are just more into learning because you don't see everyone going, 'Oh what is she wearing?'” said Alexa Burns, a Sweet Home High School senior.

Kevin Murray, a Sweet Home High School senior said “It's definitely created a better learning atmosphere.”

“Now I really feel as though it's almost more of a family atmosphere and the kids aren't trying to out do one another by wearing really outrageous club clothes to school. That has really leveled the playing field for everyone,” said Reinholz.

The change has even made it easier for some students to get out of the door for school in the morning.

Burns said, “Last year I would come down the stairs and my mom would be like where are you going?”.

In the past there was peer pressure to out dress each other with the latest fashions.

‘It was like a mini club,” said Burns. “But now since the dress code it's been helping me.”

Parents said the transition for some kids was difficult, but the results have been worth it.

“I think it has made a very different climate at Sweet Home. It’s much more positive” said Marcy Gerlach, a Sweet Home High School Parent.

Now students are also trying to focus on the positive. Instead of looking at what they can't wear, they've found ways to express themselves and still be up to code.

“I'm still putting myself into my clothes. I'm still making it Alexa, not Sweet Home. I’m just finding appropriate ways to wear what I’d like to wear” said Burns.

The principal said ever since they created the new dress code, other principals throughout western New York have called inquiring about it. So this trend may be around for a while.