Should Yoga Pants and Leggings Be Banned in Schools?

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By Liz Taurasi (Patch staff)

Dress codes exist at schools throughout the Commonwealth, and at Natick High School, it’s no different.

However, as has been the case in many years, schools in various cities and towns throughout the state are banning the wearing of yoga pants and leggings, both of which are a staple in many young women’s wardrobes.

As the first day of school begins at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich, students will not be allowed to wear uncovered yoga pants or leggings,the Cape Cod Times reported on Monday.

The decision, school Principal William Terranova told the Times, is in addition to the school’s dress code policy and that these items can be worn if they are covered by shorts or a skirt. He goes on to say the ban on both yoga pants and leggings is to help prepare students at the school for the realities of the work world come graduation.

Over the past couple of years, the issue of yoga pants and leggings in schools has become a hot topic with schools across the country making the call that they are simply not appropriate for a learning environment.

In February 2014, Rockport, MA, middle and high school banned them after teachers said they were too distracting to other students. After several students were forced to change or sent home for more appropriate clothing, the school re-examined its policy and and dropped the ban.

In 2013, a middle school in Petaluma, CA, prohibited students from wearing them, again saying they were distracting with the school’s principal saying“the appropriate attire contributes to a positive learning environment.”

Leggings and yoga pants are not banned in Natick schools, its dress code is pretty specific about what students can and cannot wear.

In Natick High Schools handbook, it states that “Students’ attire should be appropriate and respectful. Students may not wear clothing that disrupts the educational process. The administration reserves the right to make these decisions and request students to change their clothing. “

Students will be sent home to change their clothing and disciplinary action will follow (for repeat offenders). 1. Student dress should insure the health and safety of the individual student. 2. Student dress should not create disruption, which would directly interfere with the educational process. 3. Students may not wear hoods or articles of clothing that surround the face or head. Teachers may require students to remove hats while in their individual classroom. 4. Hats are not to be worn in the auditorium during assembly programs or other functions without permission. Students are prohibited from wearing: Shirts/tops that do not sufficiently cover the torso. Excessively short pants, excessively revealing hemlines, excessively tight clothing, clothing that allows the overexposure of a person’s thighs, chest or stomach. Articles of clothing that depict cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia.

View Natick High School’s dress code, and student handbook.

What do you think? Should leggings and yoga pants be banned in our public schools? Do you agree with those who say they are distracting? Tell us in the comments section below.