The Reds Tale
May 17, 2018
Newark High School
Email: thomas.roote@newarkcsd.org
Website: http://newarkcsd.org/Domain/84
Location: 625 Peirson Avenue, Newark, NY, United States
Phone: 315-332-3240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nhsreds
Twitter: @Newark_HS
From the Desk of Mr. Roote
The first step I took to get myself up to speed on the teenage perspective on dress code was to Google "teenagers and dress code". Not surprisingly, my search revealed two million results with the top hitters (see picture below) related to the dress code challenges or debates.
- The first article from the New York Times notes, "Still, most parents, and even most adults, don’t see dressing appropriately for a given situation as something a teenager should need to learn through experience. Why not just save your daughter from the uncomfortable leers of construction workers, or your son from being followed around a store by security? We know clothing communicates; we’re the adults to whom, in part, it speaks. Why not translate that language for our children not just through words, but through rules? Reality dictates that hoodies work rather better for the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world than for most. As sensible as that argument seems, “sensible” is the watchword of relatively few teenagers. With so many parents who insist that they’ve successfully set limits on their children’s attire—comments here, at least, ran overwhelmingly in favor of the parental dress code — why aren’t school hallways a model of sartorial decorum?"
The Your Teen For Parents article notes, "I think it’s really unfair for girls wearing sleeveless or off-the-shoulder tops to get called out at school for being 'too revealing.' What is so inappropriate about the upper part of the arm? Are teachers afraid that the boys in my classes won’t be able to pay attention because they can see my shoulders? It really doesn’t make any sense. I don’t choose these particular outfits for any reason—not to make a point, be rebellious, or impress anyone. Honestly, I only wear them for myself because I like the style, and because I feel pretty and confident in them. I still try to be respectful of my parents’ wishes and always pair my crop tops with high-waisted jeans, wear shorts under my skirts and dresses, and never wear tops that show off cleavage. But there are still times my mom and I don’t agree with what is appropriate, and secretly I wish she would loosen up just a little bit. I know that my mom is only being overprotective because she doesn’t want me to get in trouble at school or for people to think badly of me. But, I also feel that teenagers aren’t really given enough credit or the chance to make our own decisions. We need to be allowed to express ourselves, especially when it’s about something pretty safe like fashion. I wish adults today didn’t make such big deals about innocent things."
I chose those two snippits because I think they present a fairly rational pair of perspectives. There were words in the articles like "overprotective", "unfair", "limits", "decorum", "rules", "uncomfortable" and "leers". Those are all words I hear in the NHS dress code debate.
I think it is important that I demystify a few things regarding dress code and then I will share ours for your review. Your feedback is always welcome! First, the culture and climate at NHS does not include the constant management of dress code speed traps. Instead, we look for opportunities to coach/teach as we correct dress missteps. In fact, we average only three documented instances each school year where we go a step further than just asking the student to adjust. Second, it is absolutely a difficult (one of the most) issue to approach with complete fairness. For example, it is natural for our female staff work with our young women on sensitive dress code issues and our male staff work with young men on similar issues (underwear showing). Finally, it is true that we address a handful of dress code issues every month. What most don't realize is that students do much of the prompting to tackle a violation as they have the best sense of what is disruptive to learning.
Our dress code states, "All students and building staff are expected to dress appropriately for school and school functions and to give proper attention to personal cleanliness. Staff should exemplify and reinforce acceptable dress and help students develop an understanding of appropriate appearance in the school setting. A student’s dress, grooming and appearance, including hair style/color, jewelry, make-up and nails shall be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process. Extremely brief garments such as but not limited to the following are not permitted:
- Tube tops
- Net tops
- Halter tops
- Muscle shirts
- Spaghetti straps
- Strapless garments
- One strap garments
- Plunging necklines (front and/or back)
- See through garments
- Garments allowing the midriff to show
- Extremely short articles
Underwear must be completely covered with outer clothing. Appropriate footwear shall be worn at all times. Footwear that is a safety hazard shall not be permitted. Items that are vulgar, obscene, or libelous or that denigrate or promote others on account of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability are not permitted. Items of dress and personal appearance may not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs and/or encourage other illegal or violent activities. Items that could be used as weapons are not permitted. Coats may not be worn during the school day. Additionally, bedding such as pillows and blankets may not accompany students to class. Each building principal or his or her designee shall be responsible for informing all students and their parents of the student dress code at the beginning of the school year and any revisions to the dress code made during the school year. Students who violate the student dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering or removing the offending item and, if necessary or practical, replacing it with an acceptable item."
From the Desk of Mr. Wagner
Mash Up
Cap and Gown Walk: It has become a Newark tradition whereby seniors tour their feeder schools in their caps and gowns. I am happy to share that this ritual will come back this year. On June 6, immediately after the high school end of year awards ceremony, seniors will board buses and head to their first school (either Lincoln or Perkins) where they will get their cap and gown. After a walk in (11:20 am) those two building the group will head to Kelley (11:50 pm) by bus and then to Perkins Park for lunch. They will end their tour at the middle school (1:10 pm) and will get their yearbooks upon return to NHS. As an added touch this year I would like to invite our District Office Staff to join us in the park for some food and fellowship. Also, some staff/parents enjoyed doing a bit extra last year and baked for the kids. Anyone interested in doing so again should drop their goods off at the high school the morning of the event and it will be transported to Perkins Park.
We will be a bit short of cleaning staff over the next few weeks. Your patience is appreciated.
Attention Staff: "Good morning. Since the nice weather is here and many students are coming home from college, please let us know if you are expecting ANY visitors. We will NOT call to ask you if a former student or visitor can come to see you or had set up an appointment to see you, unless we hear from you ahead of time. We will be turning them away. Thank you, Christine"
Main Street Arts: "Hello everyone! We had a wonderful opening on Saturday. You can see the award winners below and images from the exhibition and opening on Flickr. Let me know if the images and info below don't come through and I can send the email in a different format." A special shout out to Evan Magovero, Best in Grade 12, Noberry, Teacher: Renee Bailey. See his work below.
Calendar Share
Saturday, May 19 from 10:00-12:00 pm. Community Pride Day.
The Shred Truck will be coming on Friday, May 25 at 9:30 am.
Sunday, May 27. HS Marching Band Newark Memorial Day parade/recognition.
Thursday, May 31. Last Reds Tale. Contact: T Roote.
Friday, June 1 from 6:30-8:30 pm in the high school gym. District Wide Art Show. Contact: C Dentel.
Monday June 3 at 7:30 pm. High School Band Spring Concert in our auditorium.
Wednesday, June 5 at 7:30 pm in our auditorium. High School Choral Spring Concert.
Wednesday, June 6 from 7:30-10:30 am. Academic Awards Ceremony. Contact: T Roote.
Wednesday, June 6 from 10:30-2:30 pm. Cap and Gown Walk. Contact: T Roote.
Saturday, June 9 at 7:30 am at the Alex Eligh Community Center. Laurel House 5K.
Upcoming Senior events summarized
Monday, June 10 at 6:30 pm. High School Music Awards Banquet.
Social Emotional Learning and the Plan for Excellence
Mr. Eakins, "Starting last Thursday May 10th, Bronte has been attending high school. She has started most mornings with me and has had the opportunity to take walks with students and staff members. Bronte has also attended AP world history and went outside for a science lesson. She has had a nice adjustment to our school and meeting numerous people. Please let me know if you would like her to be with you in your classes or even to take a walk and make connections with our students. She has been very happy with her role and is tired when we get home."
The Instructional Corner
On March 29, Mr. Cook shared the following statement: “Every student, every day. It is one thing to say it, but we must live it. Our District vision commits us to engage all students with the diverse opportunities and academic experiences they need to reach their maximum potential. In Newark, personalized learning will be the means to that end by purposefully empowering students to embrace, reflect upon, and own their learning while supporting educators to deliver differentiated, data-informed instruction for every student, every day.” Many people have started to scratch the surface of personalized learning. Our last two Professional Learning hours gave you the choice to attend a session that focused on the Newark Personalized Learning Messaging Document. The document has been created as living resource for all staff to use as they begin implementing Personalized Learning. This resource provides our definition of personalized learning, instructional models, core four action banks, and links that will allow you to reflect on where you are in your implementation of personalize learning.
Please access the Newark PL Document for more information.
Close up/Share a pic/vid!
The Newark High School Mission, Vision and Values
The Newark High School Mission: We are a school community with deeply held hometown pride, committed to readying young people to be life-long learners with experiences aimed at continuously motivating us to hone our skills in the complex tasks of teaching and learning. Our community is devoted to providing supports for the aspirations of our adolescents as they mature into adults with ambitious plans for college and careers.
The Newark High School Vision: Staff embody the school values and impart confidence while providing an inviting classroom environment with clear expectations and specific academic and behavioral goals. Students embody the school values through intellectual and emotional perseverance. Families embody the school values while remaining actively involved as advocates for their children and supporters of the school programs and staff.
The Newark High School Values: Safe, Responsible, Trustworthy, and Respectful.
Email: thomas.roote@newarkcsd.org
Website: http://newarkcsd.org/Domain/84
Location: 625 Peirson Avenue, Newark, NY, United States
Phone: 315-332-3240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nhsreds
Twitter: @Newark_HS