Dress code is a boon to parents

Parents with children at Summerville High School might want to send a valentine to principal Buddy Chapel. He has begun cracking down on students who refuse to follow the district's dress code.

Roses are red: Mr. Chapel is taking the heat off parents who do battle with their children who want to wear droopy pants, short, short dresses and blouses that don't cover enough.

Violets are blue: Mr. Chapel is sending a message to students that it is important for them to present themselves well.

Sugar is sweet: Mr. Chapel is sending another message: Show respect for others and follow rules.

And so are you: By removing distractions -- to both students and teachers -- like pants on the ground and pants that look painted on, Mr. Chapel is putting the focus where it belongs -- on academics.

"Getting tough on too-tight" is likely not what Buddy Chapel had in mind when he began his new job as head of Summerville High this school year. The school's goal is to prepare all students for college or careers when they graduate.

But Mr. Chapel, who retired as a first sergeant in the Marines before becoming an educator, can speak with experience about dress codes and can assure students that it's a good idea to follow the rules.

This isn't the only generation to push the limits of appropriate dress. And there will always be room for disagreement over what is appropriate.

Some will lament that students aren't able to express themselves if they have to dress to a code.

School choice is good in many ways, but once the choices have been made and the rules written, it's the students' job to pay heed.

Alternatively, they could protest the dress code to the district.

But they'll probably have to do it without the support of their parents -- who are busy writing valentines to Mr. Chapel.