Dress Code Causes Some to Object

In response to student and parent complaints about dress code, senior Dedrick Wimberly started a petition asking that students have a say in dress code decisions. The petition, which has 552 signatures, 6,655 views, and 284 shares, is steadily growing.

Wimberly has not approached the high school principal or school board with the petition.

“I was planning to start a similar petition a few months ago,” Wimberly said. “When I saw the newer additions to the dress code, I was disappointed and made the petition in hopes of spreading awareness.” 

The official name of the petition is “The Fairfield High School Dress Code” online. It was created using change.org as a way to speak out against the dress code. 

“The First Amendment of the Constitution grants us the right to petition for a ‘redress of grievances,’” teacher and Navarro professor Jeffery Wright said. “However, I have seen a lot of misinformation spread about things. I encourage students to show respect as they make their case and avoid unnecessary division amongst people.”

The dress code, though it is more lenient than it has ever been in the past, has received backlash on both rules that have been in place for a long time and recent additions. In the petition Wimberly mentions rules about leggings, jeans with holes on or below the knee, the length of shorts, band t-shirts, hair color, corsets and camisoles, references to sexual orientation, and piercings.

“I truly understand what the administration is trying to do,” Wimberly said. “However, I believe that the parents and student body should be included in decision making. I am not looking to completely abolish the dress code, I am looking for compromise so that everyone can come to school to learn comfortably and express themselves without missing out on education.”

Though it has racked up support, there are still many who disagree with the basis of the petition. Some do not see a need for a change in dress code or disagree that a petition is the correct way to bring it to attention. 

“I just feel like there are more appropriate means of getting change,” senior Preston Patrick said. “I think that the petition has caused a lot of talk around town and I feel that there is a more mature way of handling things.”