Alli: Do you know how the dress code started and who was the one that created it?

Ms. Keys: We have always had a dress code at school. All the time that I’ve been here, there has been a dress code, so it is prior to my arrival. I am not responsible for the dress code, although sometimes I think people think I might be.

Val: Can or did students have a voice in creating the dress code?

Ms. Keys: In the actual creation of it, I don’t know because I wasn’t there. But often I would say that periodically, groups do come and talk about it so in a sense a voice heard but not in the creation of it.

Alli: Do you believe that dress code is fair for both genders in middle school?

Ms. Keys: I think the dress code is fair but I would agree I often hear from girls that it seems like it’s more directed at them, but I think that’s not its intention, but I guess it just falls that maybe some of the things within it seem to apply more to girls now. But if we go back a few years ago, I would say the boys might have felt it applied to them more. It’s certainly not intended to go for one group or the other.

Alli: Do you have any closing words or anything you would like to add to talk about the dress code?

Ms. Keys: Yeah why don’t I? I have to look at all of us, although the dress code often gets pinned on me, I have to look at the whole dress code from the whole spectrum. So from the teachers, from the students, from the parents, from everybody, and as I have already said, it comes down to me. It’s all about being respectful. Respectful of our environment, that it’s a learning environment and that we do have people from very different backgrounds so we should just come on a level of dress that isn’t going to make anybody anywhere feel uncomfortable. I think it’s really unfortunate then do feel that they get penalized and that they feel like it’s questioning their freedom of choice. I get that, I understand that it could feel like that but that’s not its intent, so I think it’s important that we talk openly and I think student voices are also important. I think your personality comes through the style with which you wear. Ultimately, for me, it’s all about just being respectful of everybody in the building and not making anyone feel too bad or uncomfortable.