Forsyth County's Dress Code Cover-up

Parents, don't send your daughters to school with their cleavage as the main topic of study for the day.

I'm all for the latest trends in everything from country chic to goth styles and I clearly remember some of my "finer" outfits from my high school days. But an evolution has brought shorts to new heights since those days and it isn't pretty.

There is a high school dress code in place to guide those students who haven't quite mastered the art of dressing to impress instead of offend.

On the occasions I have been in the midst of the frenzy of students getting out of high school after a long day, I'm always a bit disgusted by the short shorts, excessive cleavage, holy jeans and the low-rider pants that look like they are about to slip right off.

I have to remind myself that these well meaning students should not be judged by what they wear. (As a matter of a fact, most of them are fine students) If only they realized that society does judge them based on what they wear. The judgmental translation key (however far from the truth it may be) is as follows:

Skinny jeans and holy, ripped-up jeans- druggies

Short up to there shorts-  desperate for attention

Cleavage- same as above

Low rider jeans- low IQ. (For every inch below the waistline, 5 IQ points are deducted.)

Luckily, parents can grab a clue, read Forsyth County Schools dress code and show a little respect for the rest of us.

I still haven't figured out why the mandated dress code isn't enforced, but here are a few lines straight from the Forsyth County Board of Education in case anyone needs a reminder on what not to wear.

Prohibited attire includes:

"Obviously oversized, over-length or baggy clothing items. (Pants must be worn at the waist. No sagging allowed.)" 

"Garments that expose the midriff or cleavage, see-through or mesh clothing, halter or tank tops, pajamas, sleep or loungewear, (shirts, blouses and dresses must cover the abdomen, cleavage, back and shoulders. Shirts or tops must cover the waistband of pants, shorts or skirts, with no midriff or cleavage visible while standing, sitting, with arms extended above the head or while bending over)."

"Skirts, dresses or shorts must be beyond fingertip length with arms extended downward by the sides of the body (Note: The privilege of wearing shorts will be revoked upon a second violation)."

Last time I checked, all of the above rules are violated on a daily basis in Forsyth County high schools. I don't like it, it's offensive and I'm embarrassed for those students who define themselves by what they wear.

However, I get it. I understand. We've all been there and most of us have figured out how to dress since our high school days. I just wish the school system would enforce the dress code. It's there for reason, yet administrators, school board officials, teachers and parents get a daily dose of everything from cleavage and thighs to low-rise jeans and spaghetti-strap tank tops.

Only the Forsyth County School Board can answer the question of, why?