A mum who is tired of having her daughter’s school principal telling her how to dress has a wonderful suggestion for the educator.
In a thinly-veiled, wittily written letter published on Today US’s community page, Catherine Pearlman addresses the principal at her 13-year-old daughter’s school after they pulled her up on a dress code for the second time and threatened her with detention.
Why? Because the 170cm girl’s shorts don’t pass the “fingertip test” and are shorter than her arms when by her side.
Pearlman’s response to the educator is simple – why don’t you try finding her appropriate shorts?
“Thank you for sending a note home for the second day in a row to say my daughter was dressed inappropriately for school,” the letter began.
“I’d like to offer an additional thank you for forcing her to change into large mesh shorts that have been worn by only god knows who and potentially never washed.
“To reward you for treating my daughter with such concern, I am cordially inviting you to take my daughter shopping.”
Pearlman then listed the requirements of clothes her daughter needs, telling the educator that it’s not going to be easy to find shorts that will pass the test because of her long arms and legs.
“I can tell you from experience that just heading to the mall, Target and the outlets won’t cut it. Not much for her there. I’ve already checked.”
“One last point: please try to stay within a reasonable budget. We can’t spend a fortune on her wardrobe. She is still growing after all.
“I thank you endlessly for taking on this chore. What a relief for me.”
Listen: The Parent Code has top tips for parents getting kids to school. Post continues…
Signing off as “Sick Of The Dress Code Mom”, it’s what Pearlman writes postscript that really drives her frustration home.
“P.S. I forgot to thank you for making it clear to my daughter that her body is somehow a distraction, either to herself or to the boys.
“I thought she might have missed the message earlier in the year when the gym teacher told her she couldn’t wear yoga pants because the boys aren’t able to control themselves.
“I appreciate how hard you are working to drive the point home.”
You can read the full letter here.
Have you had a disagreement with your child’s school principal over dress codes?
Top Comments
When I was in school, they used to tell us that the test was when you knelt, the skirt or dress had to touch the ground or be longer to be acceptable. Any shorter was against the uniform code. I remember in primary school they would check but as I got older and girls skirts got shorter, they never really checked. Although I didn't wear a short skirt, I never felt comfortable enough to! People were constantly told to tuck their shirts in though and we weren't allowed to be in public without wearing our blazers (couldn't just wear jumpers because they would say it's not part of the uniform as such!). The exception was really hot days when they expressly told us we weren't required to wear the blazer. I knew people who saw teachers in public and they weren't wearing it and got into trouble for it too! So yes it does happen here. I went to a private school, uniform wasn't an option.
While I understand this mother's frustration and think her daughter is dressed appropriately, as a teacher it's awkward to see butt cheeks hanging out below the bottom of your daughter's shorts or skirt and see teenage boys rate "best ass" and "most skin on show". There have been a number of times I've had to walk up stairs after teenage girls where I saw far more than was decent. I hate that the dress code is different for girls, but dressing appropriately for the situation is an important lesson to learn.