THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503240021
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
The Education Association of Norfolk respects columnist Guy Friddell's opinion in support of the teacher dress code at Ruffner Middle School. We share Mr. Friddell's position regarding the value of teachers dressing appropriately.
What should be understood is that the Ruffner dress code - now downgraded to voluntary guidelines - contains directions far in excess of reasonable standards for appropriate dress.
Among the features of the Ruffner dress guidelines that we find objectionable, picayune, arbitrarily vague and/or a matter of taste and interpretation are:
Light colors are more social vs. serious.
No heavily textured clothing.
No distracting, large prints or bright, contrasting prints in large amounts.
Skirt hems: Long (EQ) bottom of calf muscle. At least 7 to 9 inches of leg visible from heel of foot to bottom of hem line.
All maternity clothing must be constructed in fabric and styles that do not reveal anatomy.
Trousers (for men) not too short (hem should break slightly across the top of the shoe front).
Women must keep hair controlled and not in exotic styles or nonhuman colors.
Men's hair must be controlled and not in exotic styles. If beyond collar, must be bound.
Exotic-styles example: dreadlocks, Mohawk, excessive volume.
Underwear required to avoid obvious outline of anatomy.
Conservative career-style sweaters at all times. Beware that heavy texture can be too casual. Extreme, oversized styles and large, bright patterns are distracting.
Conservative career-style hosiery at all times. Skin tones, brown, black, charcoal, gray, bone, taupe, white/off-white are acceptable.
Fad color shoes required skin-shade hosiery.
Shoes must have closed toes and straps around the heels.
No athletic shoes.
Conservative boots (height of boot range from bend of knee to ankle).
Accessories: Conservative career-style accessories worn in moderation. No more than two rings per hand (wedding band/engagement ring considered one). Avoid more than two earrings per ear; two oversized necklaces; two oversized bracelets per wrist; obviously dangling, bulky earrings because they distract attention during educational activities - length of dangle not to exceed jaw line.
Men must wear conservative career colors, styles and fabrics.
We also object to the authoritarian manner in which the principal of Ruffner attempted to impose her will on the faculty. Fortunately, her moves were blunted.
CHARLENE CHRISTOPHER President
Education Association of Norfolk
Norfolk, March 20, 1995 by CNB