Belleville East teachers have told students that the reason we were given dress code was because of gang affiliation through what students were wearing and because female students were dressing too immodest. So this is why they came up with the idea of our new dress code that female student’s dresses, skirts, or shorts must come below the knee. It has now come to the point where when a female student wears a dress even an inch above her knee, she is dress-coded. Meanwhile the male students at Belleville East parade around in shorts that end at their thighs. Even I, have been dress-coded myself. Weighing in at 123 pounds and a height of 5'7, it is extremely difficult to find a dress that comes right below the knee. May I add, the dress that I was dress-coded for was a size extra-large as I truly intended to obey the dress code. But after seeing male students who are able to wear shorts broadcasting their farmer tans, whereas the female students of Belleville East are dress-coded constantly and sexualized, for showing their knees, I am outraged and won't stand for East's male biased dress code any longer. Even further when we were shown a video from one of our assistant principals, a male, reminding the students of "proper" dress code, they never mentioned anything about the male student’s dress code. It focused solely on what female students can and cannot wear. So when female student’s dresses are deemed "too short" or "immodest" for showing their knees or a few inches of thighs, I am utterly disgusted. This petition calls for immediate action taken to change the dress code. We want leeway! We want justice! We are tired of the double standard! We request the school changes the rule to 4 inches above the knee. This arises the question so what do you do when SOME students begin to abuse this new rule. I say some because not all will. The answer is simple, you do what you do now, and dress code them. It has never been a problem for a random teacher to pick me out of the hallways for my one inch above the knee dress and drag me to the office to be dress coded. Only now, the teacher will be dragging the student to the office for a 5 inch above the knee dress or higher, and this time, justifiably. Showing your kneecaps or a sliver of thigh does not make you immodest nor does it define your work ethic or ability to learn. After all it doesn’t affect the male students who show their kneecaps and a whole lot more than a sliver of thigh. Get rid of the double standard Belleville East, equality is in.
By signing this petition, you are agreeing that Belleville East High School should change their dress code rule and allow students to wear dresses, skirts, and shorts 4 inches above the knee.
Updates
October 3, 2015
One thousand people have signed this now and the fatigue is starting to hit me hard. I am exhausted by the constant excuses from the school board but seeing this many names keeps me tethered to the goal.
September 30, 2015
Reaching one hundred signatures feels exhausting given how many doors have already been slammed in my face. I am honestly tired of fighting this alone but seeing your names here reminds me why this matters.
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 30, 2015
September 29, 2015
The exhaustion is setting in but we are nearing the one thousand mark. I need you to put this link in front of someone new today because the administration is watching these numbers. We have to make them listen before they ignore us again.
Reached 100 supporters
September 29, 2015
269 Comments
To Belleville East...FYI...do some research. 1) Studies show dress codes DO NOT deter gang activities. 2) The world is made up of individuals, isn't that the way you should be preparing your students?
I was a student and hated the dress code, I would wear shorts, I have big thighs that would be less than an inch above my knee. Yet a guy can wear his shorts shorter than me. And let's be honest I even had to shop in the male section of the store to find shorts that long.
This is a completely biased rule. Girls cannot wear a skirt right above the knee which is acceptable by today's standards but yet the boys are allowed to walk around with their pants half way down and their underwear exposed. I have witnessed this double standard and don't agree.
As a parent, I have seen the male students wear their pants sagging EXTREMELY! When the schools dress code was changed due to gang affiliated dress code-WELL ISN'T THAT CONSIDERED GANG RELATED?
I agree I go to Belleville west and I'm really tall and I get in trouble because you can see a little bit of my thigh it's really hard to find nice looking dresses that comes past my knees
This needed to be addressed so much sooner than this
I am currently writing a paper about this topic in my English class. I address this same issue over shorts as well. Along with this, I address the issue of stretch material pants. Neither knee caps nor stretchy pants create a distraction within the learning environment. The idea comes down to sexual objectification of women. Females and their bodies have forever been objectified to society; body parts such as shoulders, backs, & legs are viewed as sexual. We should not be punishing females for their bodies, the same parts males have (shoulders, legs, etc), and punish those who are sexualizing women. If a female is wearing shorts & another students makes sexual remarks, punish the other student, not the female. I support thos pettition and would like to help in any way.
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Belleville East teachers have told students that the reason we were given dress code was because of gang affiliation through what students were wearing and because female students were dressing too immodest. So this is why they came up with the idea of our new dress code that female student’s dresses, skirts, or shorts must come below the knee. It has now come to the point where when a female student wears a dress even an inch above her knee, she is dress-coded. Meanwhile the male students at Belleville East parade around in shorts that end at their thighs. Even I, have been dress-coded myself. Weighing in at 123 pounds and a height of 5'7, it is extremely difficult to find a dress that comes right below the knee. May I add, the dress that I was dress-coded for was a size extra-large as I truly intended to obey the dress code. But after seeing male students who are able to wear shorts broadcasting their farmer tans, whereas the female students of Belleville East are dress-coded constantly and sexualized, for showing their knees, I am outraged and won't stand for East's male biased dress code any longer. Even further when we were shown a video from one of our assistant principals, a male, reminding the students of "proper" dress code, they never mentioned anything about the male student’s dress code. It focused solely on what female students can and cannot wear. So when female student’s dresses are deemed "too short" or "immodest" for showing their knees or a few inches of thighs, I am utterly disgusted. This petition calls for immediate action taken to change the dress code. We want leeway! We want justice! We are tired of the double standard! We request the school changes the rule to 4 inches above the knee. This arises the question so what do you do when SOME students begin to abuse this new rule. I say some because not all will. The answer is simple, you do what you do now, and dress code them. It has never been a problem for a random teacher to pick me out of the hallways for my one inch above the knee dress and drag me to the office to be dress coded. Only now, the teacher will be dragging the student to the office for a 5 inch above the knee dress or higher, and this time, justifiably. Showing your kneecaps or a sliver of thigh does not make you immodest nor does it define your work ethic or ability to learn. After all it doesn’t affect the male students who show their kneecaps and a whole lot more than a sliver of thigh. Get rid of the double standard Belleville East, equality is in.
By signing this petition, you are agreeing that Belleville East High School should change their dress code rule and allow students to wear dresses, skirts, and shorts 4 inches above the knee.
Updates
October 3, 2015
One thousand people have signed this now and the fatigue is starting to hit me hard. I am exhausted by the constant excuses from the school board but seeing this many names keeps me tethered to the goal.
September 30, 2015
Reaching one hundred signatures feels exhausting given how many doors have already been slammed in my face. I am honestly tired of fighting this alone but seeing your names here reminds me why this matters.
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 30, 2015
September 29, 2015
The exhaustion is setting in but we are nearing the one thousand mark. I need you to put this link in front of someone new today because the administration is watching these numbers. We have to make them listen before they ignore us again.
Reached 100 supporters
September 29, 2015
269 Comments
This is sickening to think that people aren't allowed to show their kneecaps. Even central jr high lets girls wear shorts and skirts that go above the knee. They are basically telling these girls they should be ashamed for showing their kneecaps. How is someone going to look at a knee cap and find it "sexual"
To Belleville East...FYI...do some research. 1) Studies show dress codes DO NOT deter gang activities. 2) The world is made up of individuals, isn't that the way you should be preparing your students?
I was a student and hated the dress code, I would wear shorts, I have big thighs that would be less than an inch above my knee. Yet a guy can wear his shorts shorter than me. And let's be honest I even had to shop in the male section of the store to find shorts that long.
This is a completely biased rule. Girls cannot wear a skirt right above the knee which is acceptable by today's standards but yet the boys are allowed to walk around with their pants half way down and their underwear exposed. I have witnessed this double standard and don't agree.
As a parent, I have seen the male students wear their pants sagging EXTREMELY! When the schools dress code was changed due to gang affiliated dress code-WELL ISN'T THAT CONSIDERED GANG RELATED?
I agree I go to Belleville west and I'm really tall and I get in trouble because you can see a little bit of my thigh it's really hard to find nice looking dresses that comes past my knees
This needed to be addressed so much sooner than this
I am currently writing a paper about this topic in my English class. I address this same issue over shorts as well. Along with this, I address the issue of stretch material pants. Neither knee caps nor stretchy pants create a distraction within the learning environment. The idea comes down to sexual objectification of women. Females and their bodies have forever been objectified to society; body parts such as shoulders, backs, & legs are viewed as sexual. We should not be punishing females for their bodies, the same parts males have (shoulders, legs, etc), and punish those who are sexualizing women. If a female is wearing shorts & another students makes sexual remarks, punish the other student, not the female. I support thos pettition and would like to help in any way.
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This is sickening to think that people aren't allowed to show their kneecaps. Even central jr high lets girls wear shorts and skirts that go above the knee. They are basically telling these girls they should be ashamed for showing their kneecaps. How is someone going to look at a knee cap and find it "sexual"