Jupiter High students have been speaking out about the school’s dress code since the beginning of September. 

They are opposing certain policies, like no rips in jeans above the knees or no spaghetti straps, by putting up flyers in school restrooms, posting on social media and wearing shirts with sayings about the dress code. According to the students, they feel the dress code is biased and tends to punish more females than males. 

“It’s unfair how we can’t wear tank tops around the school when it’s 90 degrees outside,” Melanie Lizama, senior, said. 

Boys at Jupiter High also have an opinion about the dress code issue. 

“I believe clothing is a form of expression, and that no one should have to feel as though their expressions are inherently wrong,” Kohl Hobbs, a JHS senior, said.

While some students feel the dress code is unfair, Kelly Foss, a JHS assistant principal, explained the dress code is in place to make sure students’ attire is appropriate for school. 

“Students want the freedom to dress in a way they want to express themselves, which I can see, but I feel like there’s a time and place for it,” Foss said. 

Similarly, Susan Diaz, a JHS assistant principal, believes you should also dress according to the environment you are in.

“It’s not about distraction; it’s about policy. You should dress for success. At the beach, you can wear whatever you want. In church, you can wear anything, but you shouldn’t wear a bathing suit,” Diaz said. 

Some students are not able to follow the dress code for medical, or other personal, reasons.

Lauren Belt is a senior at JHS. In May, she got surgery along her spine that prevents her from wearing shirts that cover the bottom of her scar.

“In the first two weeks of school I got dress-coded 12 times, and every time I had to explain. They told me that until I get a doctor’s note they would still dress-code me,” Belt said.