Do you have any idea what it takes to shock this reporter? After years of watching the passing lunacy of the local scene, we figured we were pretty much beyond going into shock over news about local governance, whether it be on the Municipal side or the Government Schools side.
Based on the report covered in our post earlier today, we’ve got to reconsider. In recent days, we talked about moving from water drops to one gallon water balloons. Now we feel like we’re being water-boarded. In the collective ‘community’ sense, which is somehow supposed to make it less objectionable, we assume.
More pointedly, we find the lack of community concern over the habitual incompetence and spendthrift nature of our self-described ‘public servants’ to be perhaps the most astonishing aspect of our circumstances.
That aside, we had a notional plan in place for our next several posts. The news from last night’s gathering, as relayed earlier today, compels us to step back and review them. We expect that when we do, we’ll find them woefully inadequate to the moment and the circumstances. So it could be several days before we return to full-throated bloviation, which is the secret to our robust readership figures.
As we re-evaluate our themes, our observations, and our reactions, we’ll amuse you with a standard journalistic diversion, that being ‘fill.’
As we were looking into how old our “new” high school is, we stumbled upon the Brunswick High School Dress Code. Here it is in its entirety:
STUDENT DRESS
The Brunswick School Department believes that appropriate grooming and dress contribute to the quality of the educational environment. To this end, students are required to wear to school or to school functions, clean and appropriate clothing that does not distract or interfere with the educational opportunity of the other students. Clothing, hair, cosmetics, scented products, jewelry or appearance that may disrupt the normal operations of the school are not acceptable.
The following guidelines shall be deemed to be the minimum necessary for compliance with the student dress and grooming policy:
- Clothing that depicts or in any way refers to, advertises, or promotes illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco products, that has sexual implications, that promotes violence or illegal acts, or that is derogatory toward any group or individual is not allowed.
- Shoes, sneakers, or sandals will be worn by all students while on school grounds.
- All clothing is to fit properly, be of appropriate length, and not be revealing or indecent. Underwear should not be visible and clothing should cover the chest, midriff, and mid-thigh appropriately.
- Garments, chains, some chain-like necklaces and/or accessories that may be used as a weapon or perceived as gang member symbols will not be allowed.
- Styles of grooming and/or dress that block vision will not be allowed.
- Students attending classes such as, but not limited to, technology education, consumer and life studies, physical education, and laboratory classes, will comply with dress code regulations as they relate to the health and safety standards of the specific area of study or work. Teachers will notify students of these rules.
- Students may be required to remove hats.
It is not the intention of these guidelines to usurp the authority of parents for determining what is appropriate dress and grooming for their children. Since the home provides the funds, guidance, and upkeep for the students’ clothing and grooming, parents, rather than the school, are primarily responsible for the general appearance of students. The school staff will work with parents in encouraging our young people, as they progress through the system, to assume this responsibility and to execute it sensibly. The purpose of the home and school working together should be to help students accept and cooperate with the guidelines to provide the best possible learning environment. These regulations may be waived at the discretion of the building administrator for special school occasions or events.
Adopted: 9/11/02
This Dress Code, such as it is, was adopted more than ten years ago. Does anyone else think that since then, things have changed enough in teenage ‘fashion’ to call for a serious revision? We’d also suggest that the entire opening paragraph of the Code is so ambiguous and marble-mouthed as to be incomprehensible and unenforceable.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
So good night you Princes and Princesses of Maine.
And sleep well. If you hear anything going bump in the night, just cover your eyes and it will be OK.
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