Dressed for success

SNOW HILL - During the first week of a new school year, Greene County Schools' students are adjusting to a new dress code policy.

So far, some of the district's middle and high school students are finding it difficult to adhere to the new policy. More than 2,800 students returned to Greene County Schools Monday.

"We knew there was going to be some confusion," Greene Central High School Principal Susan Jones said. "There are teachers at every door examining students' dress."

The Greene County Board of Education approved a revised dress code on July 24, 2007. After further consideration, the school board adopted an updated dress code last spring, which was implemented this week.

Jones said about 150 high school students Monday violated the new dress standards. A majority of the violations were resolved and students were allowed to return to class, she said.

Students who failed to comply with the new dress standards were placed under in-school suspension, Jones said. Ten high school students were disciplined with in-school suspension Monday after failing to comply with the dress code.

"The biggest issue we had was either students not wearing belts or tucking in their shirts," Jones said.

On Tuesday, only about 20 high school students violated the new dress code.

"The new dress code has been more of a challenge for the boys," Jones said. "We hope students will get in the habit of dressing appropriately."

Two Greene Central seniors - Elizabeth Tyndall and Josh Webb - said they support the new dress code. The girls are still adjusting to having to tuck in their shirts, Tyndall said.

"I like the new dress code," Webb said. "It's not as bad as people say. Students feel better and it helps prepare us for the real world."

Greene Central teacher Hank Bowen said some students will continue to try and violate the new dress standards, but administrators will hold them accountable.

Like Greene Central, Greene County Middle School students complied with the new dress code. Principal Greg Monroe said several students failed to wear a belt Monday.

"We did not have any major issues," Monroe said. "Most of our students complied."

The school district first notified students about the new dress code during the end of the 2007-2008 school year. Another notification letter was mailed to students during the summer break regarding the new policy.

"Some parents thought some of the issues were trivial," Monroe said. "We have to fully enforce it with no compromise."

Snow Hill Primary School and West Greene Elementary School students seemed to adjust easily to the new dress code.

"It's been very successful here," Snow Hill Primary Principal Brenda Hagan said. "We have had very few problems."

Students at Snow Hill Primary are not required to tuck in their shirts, Hagan said. Hagan said a parent-based survey was used to help develop the new policy. The school's social workers are also available to assist parents who have questions about the dress code.

Several West Greene Elementary students violated the belt policy as well. Principal Debbie Daniell said the student body will "pull together" this year to make the new dress code work.

Not everyone is happy with the new dress code. Snow Hill resident Jerome Woods has three children in the Greene County School district and he said he did not like the new dress code.

"It seems like they are trying to control the kids," Woods said.

Woods said he spent about $600 on new school clothes for his three children. The new clothes required under the dress code are not as durable, he said.

Superintendent Patrick Miller said Tuesday the first two days of school were a success for Greene County School students. Miller said he "would not rule out" making further minor revisions this year to the dress code.

Rochelle Middle School in Lenoir County adopted a new dress code for students last January. The dress code was developed by former principal Edwin Jones.

For more information on the new Greene County Schools dress code, visit www.gcsedu.org.

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.