The ‘bizarre’ school uniform policy facing a huge backlash

“We are eliminating a look that has taken over on campus.”

Image: YouTube @CBS TEXAS

Dress codes and rules about what students can wear as uniform are commonplace at high school, but one principal has made waves around the world after banning students from wearing a certain colour - black.

The school in El Paso, Texas has received backlash from parents and the wider community for the unusual clothing ban which the school says is to help with “depression and mental health issues.”

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"We are eliminating a look"

The Principal of Charles Middle School, Nick DeSantis, sent a letter to parents to clarify and explain the new uniform related rules. 

“We are … eliminating a look that has taken over on campus with students wearing black tops with black bottoms, which has become more associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality than with happy and healthy kids ready to learn,” the letter read according to a story on KFOX14.

Norma De La Rosa, the president of El Paso Teachers Association, confirmed the school’s confusing policy for no ‘all black’ outfits in an interview with CBSTexas. 

“They can wear black shorts to go to PE. And they can wear it on free dress day, but they just cannot wear it from top to bottom.”

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"Aims to foster pride"

De La Rosa also told KFOX14 that the updated uniform policy was initiated to “to enhance students' well-being and sense of pride. This decision, carefully considered and approved by the Campus Improvement Team — comprising parents, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders — aims to foster a positive self-image among students and more effectively showcase the school’s colours and pride.”

In response to the unusual ban, parents were unclear about what the ban would actually achieve.

One parent named Alex said, “The colour of clothing has nothing to do with your ability to do anything or feel any emotion."

With a mum adding, “...making students wear a different colour isn’t going to magically make them a completely different person.”

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"What about the guns?"

In Australia comments online after a segment on The Projectwere just as confused as to how this will actually help.

“If they're genuine about helping people's mental health maybe they should do something about all of the guns,” wrote one.

Another added: “Yeah - telling kids they can't be themselves is good for mental health.”

Originally published as The ‘bizarre’ school uniform policy facing a huge backlash