Asheville High Dress Code Concerns

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- An announcement made by the Asheville High School principal this week has students and some parents upset.
The message was meant to reinforce to students what they cannot wear during the final weeks of school as the temperature rises. One line of it included the phrase that female students cannot wear "spaghetti straps and be braless".
Many listening understood that to mean that policy would now require students to wear bras, and monitor girls to enforce that.
On Friday, Asheville City Schools said that was a miscommunication. The announcement was intended only to say students wearing spaghetti strap tank tops - which are not permitted under the dress code - must wear bras when doing so.
Some students Friday said, while acknowledging that this incident was a misunderstanding, that Asheville High staff often unfairly target girls - more than boys - under the dress code.
In response, a spokesperson for Asheville Schools said that's not the intention. He said young men also seem to be pulled aside frequently for Gavin inappropriately saggy or low pants.
The full statement that Principal Best read over the intercom system Thursday is included below.
"Attention students and staff: We need help in enforcing the dress code. You cannot wear short shorts and skirts and spaghetti straps and be braless. Shorts and shirts must be at mid thigh. To measure mid thigh, put your arms at your sides and mid thigh is the end of your fingertips. Tops must have straps of at least two fingers. We have been asking you not to wear these things to school and you continue to do so. Consider this a final warning about dress code. We will begin enforcing this tomorrow. Teachers, we need your help. Thank you to all students who follow the rules."
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