The Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees reviewed the district’s dress code policy at its Oct. 3 board meeting and revised rules that the district believes are biased.
The MBUSD dress code still prevents students from wearing clothing that is distracting or inappropriate in an educational environment. Student dress shall not present a health or safety hazard that interferes with the educational process, according to MBUSD Board Policy 5132.
“I have heard comments about the term dresses being construed as sexist and gender-biased,” Superintendent Dr. Mike Matthews said.
Previously, students who violated the dress code would be subject to disciplinary action. While the Manhattan Beach Middle School staff strictly regulates student dress, making students go to the office to change, the dress code is loosely enforced at Costa.
“A dress code is necessary when it comes to consequences for clothing that promotes hate or bias, but a lot of nuances can get confused if a dress code isn’t worded properly,” student board member and senior Rebecca Rawson said.
The revised policy states that all students should be able to dress comfortably without the fear of being body-shamed or disciplined. The district aims to support all students in developing a body-positive self-image and reduce discrimination related to gender or body maturity, according to administrative regulation 5132.
“I understand the original necessity behind dress codes, but I also think that they can’t be applied like they used to be,” Rawson said.
The board informed teachers and administrators within the district of the purpose of the dress code policy and how to enforce the code without adversely effecting student learning and self-image. Teachers also may no longer force students to change into clothes that are not theirs after code violations.
“People were hoping that we’d enforce dress code more, but this is certainly not that,” Matthews said.
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