We, the students of Cypress Woods High School are writing to express our concerns regarding the current dress code policy and its impact on our school traditions, valuable time, and overall educational experience.

Impact on School Traditions:

The dress code, as it currently stands, often conflicts with our school traditions. Events such as spirit days, cultural celebrations, and other school activities that allow us to express our individuality and school spirit are hindered by restrictive dress code rules. These traditions are essential for fostering a sense of community and belonging among students, and the dress code should accommodate these important aspects of our school culture.

Time Consumption:

Enforcing the dress code takes up a significant amount of time for both students and staff. Students often find themselves spending excessive time in the morning ensuring their outfits comply with the dress code, which can lead to stress and anxiety. Additionally, teachers and administrators spend valuable instructional time addressing dress code violations, which could be better spent on educational activities.

Impact on Education:

The primary focus of our school should be on education. However, the current dress code policy distracts from this goal. Students who are pulled out of class for dress code violations miss important instructional time, which can negatively affect their academic performance. One of the most significant issues with the current dresscode policy is the practice of pulling students and sending them to the Discipline Managment Center(DMC) if parent are not capable of bringing "appropriate" clothing. This can lead to gaps in their learning and can negatively impact their academic performance. Discipline Managment Center (DMC) is intented for student with bad behavior, not as a act of punishment for reasons out of students control. Moreover, the dress code can disproportionately affect certain groups of students, creating an environment of inequality and distraction from learning.

Proposed Changes:

We propose the following changes to the current dress code policy:

1. Flexibility for School Traditions: Allow exceptions to the dress code for school events and traditions that encourage school spirit and cultural expression.

2. Simplified Guidelines: Create a more straightforward and less restrictive dress code that focuses on respect and appropriateness rather than specific clothing items.

3. Educational Focus: Prioritize education by minimizing the time spent on dress code enforcement and ensuring that any necessary interventions do not disrupt learning.

We believe that these changes will create a more positive and inclusive school environment, allowing students to focus on their education while still respecting the need for appropriate attire.

Thank you for considering our concerns and proposed solutions. We look forward to a constructive dialogue on this matter.

Sincerely

Mila Pastor and Angelynn Cardenas

Class of 2026

Cypress Woods High School

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