Ms. Valletta wanted to make sure that a certain teacher was not on a par-
ticular committee, it just happened that that committee met at a time when
that teacher had a class. Of course, this teacher was kept informed. He
received meeting summaries and was asked for his input. However, once
a teacher could not be on a committee in person, he usually didn’t care.
Specific assistant principals were encouraged to volunteer for certain
committees; for example, the assistant principal of pupil personnel ser-
vices (guidance) was asked to serve on the Academic Affairs Committee
and the assistant principal of security to serve on the School Safety Com-
mittee. Beyond this, there was no manipulation. In general, each officer of
the Parent Association volunteered to serve on a committee. The teacher
who advised the Student Organization found student volunteers.
One issue brought to the Academic Affairs Committee was that of a stu-
dent dress code. This was referred to the student government, which wrote
an excellent statement:
The following are prohibited in the school:- Clothing with offensive words, pictures, or symbols
- Extra-short midriff tops
- See-through tops and pants
- Micro mini-skirts
- Unduly suggestive pants or shorts
- Tops held together by a few strings
- Do rags
All staff are requested to enforce a “no hat” rule, equally applied to both
males and females.
Inappropriately dressed students are to be sent to the deans.
Teachers are urged to remember that they are the adult role models of ap-
propriate dress in the business world.The Academic Affairs Committee did not change a word of the “prohi-
bition” part and just made minor changes in the language of the remainder
(reflected in the preceding). Then it went on to the Parent Association and
the SLT, both of whom approved it. With the approval of all major com-
mittees and constituencies, the school had a dress code it could enforce.
Lay the Groundwork 107