The Battle for the Kilt in Saint Louis, Missouri - USA

[Father Bill]

As a retired headmaster/ principal, I always found it infinitely easier in any ruling to have a few broad guidelines and then deal with individual problems as the arose, rather than legislate in great detail and then have to run around like a headless chicken trying to explain it and enforce it. I am always and forever much more willing to work with guidelines than rules in school and in our greater society as well. It's easier, more flexible to meet individual needs (such as a young fellow in a kilt or a young woman in a sari) and more easily understandable by all.

As a failsafe, the last line of my school's four sentence dress code was "In any case of dispute, the decision of the principal shall be final." Odd as it may seem, there was never any case of dispute. Maybe it was because nobody was trying to find a way to get around the non-existent little details in the dress code... since there weren't any. If you go into detail, some twisted mind and sharp tongue will likely find a way to abuse or ignore them.

My school actually only had four school rules:

Everyone* at this school is expected to
Be courteous, considerate, and polite,
Show that they are concerned for safety,
Do quality work, and,
Accept responsibility for themselves.

*Note, it does not say "students." It says everyone.

There were twenty seven Acts of Parliament on my shelves that controlled my school, policies made under the Acts, Guidelines to explain the policies, and Schoolboard policies, guidelines, and proceedures as well... but I very, very rarely ever turned to them, and then only to explain or enact the four rules. In fact, it was never from the rules that my problems came. It was from people trying to twist or avoid the stuff on that shelf. Everytime you legislate detail, it seems you create a headache for yourself.

Guidelines, not legislation.

And now... I've probably said too much, and someone will try to twist it or find an exception!

And that's my 1900th post!

[creagdhubh]

As a retired headmaster/ principal, I always found it infinitely easier in any ruling to have a few broad guidelines and then deal with individual problems as the arose, rather than legislate in great detail and then have to run around like a headless chicken trying to explain it and enforce it. I am always and forever much more willing to work with guidelines than rules in school and in our greater society as well. It's easier, more flexible to meet individual needs (such as a young fellow in a kilt or a young woman in a sari) and more easily understandable by all.

As a failsafe, the last line of my school's four sentence dress code was "In any case of dispute, the decision of the principal shall be final." Odd as it may seem, there was never any case of dispute. Maybe it was because nobody was trying to find a way to get around the non-existent little details in the dress code... since there weren't any. If you go into detail, some twisted mind and sharp tongue will likely find a way to abuse or ignore them.

My school actually only had four school rules:

Everyone* at this school is expected to
Be courteous, considerate, and polite,
Show that they are concerned for safety,
Do quality work, and,
Accept responsibility for themselves.

*Note, it does not say "students." It says everyone.

There were twenty seven Acts of Parliament on my shelves that controlled my school, policies made under the Acts, Guidelines to explain the policies, and Schoolboard policies, guidelines, and proceedures as well... but I very, very rarely ever turned to them, and then only to explain or enact the four rules. In fact, it was never from the rules that my problems came. It was from people trying to twist or avoid the stuff on that shelf. Everytime you legislate detail, it seems you create a headache for yourself.

Guidelines, not legislation.

And now... I've probably said too much, and someone will try to twist it or find an exception!

And that's my 1900th post!

Good points, Father Bill. As a certified and trained educator, having less rules is always the best approach. Yes, I agree that every school/educational institution needs rules in place, but not three pages worth - come on school board!

Cheers,

[Alan H]

Father Bill, you are spot-on.

[Iain Robb]

Amen, Father Bill. Amen.

[O'Searcaigh]

my school actually only had four school rules:

Everyone* at this school is expected to
be courteous, considerate, and polite,
show that they are concerned for safety,
do quality work, and,
accept responsibility for themselves.

*note, it does not say "students." it says everyone.

outstanding!!!

[MikeS]

As someone who works for an employer that feels it necessary to micro-manage everything, I can appreciate this ridiculously restrictive dress code. I wonder if they are allowed to think for themselves or told what to think. Next generation of lemmings. It reminds me of a quote I once heard about "blind obediance to your leaders"...it was said by Adolph Hitler.

[madmacs]

As someone who works for an employer that feels it necessary to micro-manage everything, I can appreciate this ridiculously restrictive dress code. I wonder if they are allowed to think for themselves or told what to think. Next generation of lemmings. It reminds me of a quote I once heard about "blind obediance to your leaders"...it was said by Adolph Hitler.

Now you should know school is not about teaching you to think... Only regurgitate information... They only want you to start thinking at thesis level...

[MikeS]

Now you should know school is not about teaching you to think... Only regurgitate information... They only want you to start thinking at thesis level...

This explains why most retail clerks in my area cannot count change without looking at the register...."I need 25 cents but I'm out of quarters! What do I do??"

Also explains why so many seem to prefer the rigid control of the prison system.

[Mickey]

Because my son goes to the same school as creagdhubh did, and wears a kilt routinely to class every week, as many of his friends do, I am compelled to respond for a couple of reasons.

1. The greater St. Louis area is an extremely kilt friendly city, with a large number of Scots and Irishmen. This is a terribly diverse city, with all areas represented. Granite City, IL, is part of the St. Louis area only in a geographic sense and because it insists upon being included in a metro area, yet is certainly not known for being "progressive" in any sense... in other words.. it is a redneck town. (no offense to self appointed rednecks.. trust me, if you are a proud redneck, you would be ashamed of Granite City).

2. The reason the St. Louis area is making a fuss of this is because of Item 1. This city does not want to be associated with this town of morons and is making a distinction.

3. As mentioned, the dress code for the Granite City school is absolutely ridiculous in length and detail. In comparison, I submit the below, which is the the verbatim dress code from the student handbook for this year, from the school district that creagdhubh and my son attended/attend. Believe it or not, it is the FULL LENGTH version:

Dress Code and Personal Appearance

The general atmosphere of a school must be conducive to learning. If a
student’s general appearance attracts undue attention to the extent that
it becomes a disruptive factor in the school, a building administrator will
ask the student to make the necessary changes. In the event that the
change does not take place in the time allowed, the administrator will
prescribe the action to be taken.

Clothing that promotes disruptive behavior, and or displays images,
including but not limited to, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and/or its products,
violence, sex or hate groups is prohibited from campus and must be
covered or removed.

Hmmmmm. I thought I was raising awareness but gee. Looks like our fine padre figured that out too.

[Thorina]

It is a sign of the America we currently live in.
The school wouldn't need such a strict dress code if the school knew the parents would enforce proper dress code themselves.
Pajamas?
Why does it say that?
Because some parents won't stop their kid from going to school in pajamas...or curlers in their hair or any of the other silly things meantioned as no-nos.
The silly things are meantioned because they've happened. It's not arbitrary at all.


I used to be quite involved in youth activities on many levels. I no longer am, nor want to be. Dealing with unruly children often means next dealing with their equally unruley parents who think no rules apply to them, nor their "special" children. (not that kind of special).

Many high schools in the US, even in affluent areas, are closer to the atmosphere of a zoo at feeding time, rather than institutions of learning. Those who have not recently walked the halls of a public high school in the US would really have an eye opening experience.
No, this is not the high school *we* went to. We were expected to behave ourselves. If we did not, we faced the wrath of the principal....then surely the wrath of our parents when we got home.
Again, this is not the norm anymore in America.

We can blame the teachers and admins all we want, but the truth is, it's been the parents that couldn't stand the thought of their child being punished for something as ridiculous as wearing pajamas to school....that caused this. If it is not written out like a legal briefing, some parent will fight it on their child's behalf.

Yes, something as ridiculous as wearing pajamas to school.

As an example:
Girl Scouts no longer have an official uniform other than a sash.
Why? Because parents complained that it was too hard to make sure their child was properly dressed in their uniform to attend meetings. Often some sort of notice was taken, etc...and heaven forbid should their child be singled out like that.
When, the actual deal should be....the child....in Scouting, should be expected to keep their own uniform in ready order and know how and where to wear it. That is part of the responsibility that they are supposed to be learning while involved in scouting.


The administrator's comments are unfortunate. Shows pretty clearly the level of basic education those in charge of education actually have these days. What sort of rock must you have lived under, and for how long to not know a kilt is a male garment? Feeding time at the zoo doesn't require a very broad worldly knowledge, apparently.

Still.....I would love to hear the entire story. As with all media these days, we're only being spoon fed this the way the media wants it spoon fed to us.