A group of students went braless at Princeton Secondary School Thursday to protest what they say is unfair enforcement of rules about dress.
They also put up posters with slogans including 鈥淢y body is not a distraction鈥� and 鈥淵es, I have breasts.鈥�
According to the protesters, who ranged in age from 13 to 18, girls have been disciplined for their attire, including for showing a bra strap.
Ashlin White, a Grade 12 student said being braless 鈥渇eels great and very free.鈥�
The protest was because 鈥渨e are all sick of getting dress-coded鈥 bra strap should not be sexualized,鈥� said White.
Another student reported staff are telling girls that their fashion choices 鈥渁re a distraction.鈥�
If male students get distracted 鈥渢hat鈥檚 not our fault and not our problem,鈥� she added.
One of the protest organizers said the girls鈥� intent is not to 鈥渂ash the school鈥� but rather to 鈥渂ring awareness to the fact that a bra strap is not sexual.鈥�
She said while staff disapproved of the posters the administration has otherwise been understanding. A lunchtime meeting was organized by PSS vice-principal Crystal Larsen.
鈥淚 am a firm believer in student voice,鈥� said Larsen following the meeting. 鈥淚鈥檓 really glad that the girls want us to look at the dress code so there is a consistent set of rules that we are following.鈥�
Princeton Secondary School has no formal or written dress policy, although the administration announced plans in May 2017 to develop one for this school year.
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The lack of clear expectations has resulted in individual teachers making their own decisions about what is or is not appropriate.
鈥淭he bra strap, that鈥檚 the one that the students feel strongest about,鈥� she said.
A milder issue related to dress code is hats, said Larsen. Students in Grades 8 and 9 cannot wear hats in class, while older students are allowed.
鈥淭his is grey and black and white is better鈥n fairness it probably is about time that we create a modern and realistic dress code.鈥�
Currently staff can ask a student to not wear a particular outfit in the future, ask the student to cover up, and for repeated issues can send a student home to change.
鈥淚t鈥檚 usually the third time that we ask them to go home but usually they can find something else to wear.鈥�
And it鈥檚 not all about bra straps, said Larsen. 鈥淚 believe in individual expression but I don鈥檛 want to see anyone鈥檚 butt cheeks.鈥�
While dozens of girls took part in Thursday鈥檚 protest, not everyone felt they could support it.
鈥淵es of course I am wearing a bra. I always do,鈥� said Karly Shapele.
Students should dress 鈥渞espectfully for school,鈥� she said.
鈥淚鈥檝e seen some pretty revealing clothes,鈥� said Shapele, like too-short skirts and shorts. 鈥淲hen I can see someone鈥檚 butt cheeks that makes me uncomfortable.
Seventeen-year-old Caleb Mannhofer said seeing a bra strap 鈥渋sn鈥檛 a big deal鈥s a guy I do not get aroused by a shoulder.鈥�
Dale Furgason said he is not really concerned with how girls at Princeton Secondary School are dressed.
鈥淎s long as you are not showing too much of your body, I don鈥檛 care.鈥�
Larsen said she will meet with concerned students again next week, and has already asked them for their thoughts on proper dress code wording.
鈥淲e need to create a policy. I think that鈥檚 what we are going to get and I think that is exciting.鈥�
A policy will require not just student input, but also direction from teachers, parents and the school district, she said.
In the meantime, Larsen will meet with staff and try to find common ground to deal with issues that arise.
鈥淚 have to go to my staff and ask 鈥榟ow do we want to handle this as consistently as we can until we have a dress code created?鈥欌��
Larsen said she appreciates the students chose to protest in a respectful and peaceful manner.
鈥淚 want the kids to be heard. I want them to know that they are heard, that this is an important issue, but there鈥檚 lines that have to be drawn as to what is acceptable in a school.鈥�
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