Above: DON’T DO IT: Students are required to dress-out for class each day. Many teachers count changing outfits as part of a daily grade that is added on to a daily participation grade. “We are cracking down on our dress policy–the whole policy with no boots, no flip flops, the length of the shorts,” Posey said.
By BRITTNEY BUTLER – Managing Editor (ODYSSEY Newsmagazine)
Although there is currently not a physical education uniform, teachers believe if it was enforced in the future, it would be beneficial.
Clarke Central High School physical education department teachers have been enforcing a stricter dress code in physical education classes.
“(The physical education department) is cracking down on our dress policy — the whole policy with no boots, no flip flops, the length of the shorts, no tank tops,” physical education department chair Dinah Posey said.
According to Posey, the dress code policy was put into place in order to promote safety and to cut down on distractions in CCHS’ various PE classes.
“I think it helps the learning environment and also for safety issues (that are) health and heat-related,” Posey said.
The dress code states that students must dress out in athletic clothing each class period. Their attire should consist of athletic shorts, sweat pants, T-shirts, socks and appropriate tennis shoes.
“I tell my students to dress like I dress,” physical education department teacher Tim Stoudenmire said. “I wear shorts of a normal length and I wear t-shirts of a normal length.”
These dress code rules are enforced in all PE classes, except for the senior-only class, Introduction to Lifetime Sports.
“By the time you are 17 or 18 years old, you are responsible enough to make the decision on whether or not you want to change,” Stoudenmire said.
Posey hopes there will be a uniform for students enrolled in PE classes for the 2015-16 school year.
“We really would like to implement having a PE uniform. (If we have PE uniforms) and we go outside, we will know that that’s one of our physical education students,” Posey said.
Freshman William Crain believes that having a uniform for PE classes would discourage students from expressing themselves.
“We never should have uniforms in PE because people need to express their feelings when they play,” Crain said. “We don’t want to look like JROTC cadets, like twins. We need people to show their personalities. People have fun in (PE).”
