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Cache school board tightens Sky View's dress code By
Kelsie Clark SMITHFIELD -- Following an increasing number of attire-related problems this year in valley schools, the Cache County School Board has passed a measure that will amend the dress code for students at Sky View High School. Under the modified policy, students will no longer be able wear clothing that has gang-related mottos or affiliations, or to have those symbols appear on their skin. Head coverings of any kind will not be allowed, nor are extreme cosmetics, or potentially dangerous metal accessories. Sky View Vice Principal Lynette Riggs presented the proposal to the board. "Our current dress code is generic and somewhat vague," said Riggs. "At the beginning of the school year we recognized the need to add specifics." Riggs says the current dress code restricts apparel that displays obscenities and drug-related sayings, but makes no mention of gang-related clothing. She says Sky View's administration realized the need for this addition after a workshop that taught teachers about gang signs and symbols, and what they needed to be looking for. "I had teachers coming up to me saying, 'I see this all the time in the halls,' and 'I see this all the time in my classroom,'" said Riggs. The restriction on extreme cosmetics was added because some students come to school with their faces covered in paint, Riggs says. In some instances, especially when the paint is black, other students have expressed to her feelings of intimidation, and even fear. "We understand that students want to be able to communicate through their dress," said Riggs. "The gothic kids in particular felt we were harassing them or singling them out to limit the way they can dress. But what they are communicating is intimidation -- they can't be frightening other students. That's where it becomes an issue." School board member Tamara Grange says she researched the issue of the proposed restrictions versus students' rights. "I can't find anything that would be a problem with these changes," she said. The proposal was unanimously approved by the board, but whether the changes will be approved by Sky View students remains to be seen.
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