The Palmetto High School dress code is a set of rules and limitations, set by Manatee County, that students are expected to follow. The dress code has caused controversy among the students in the form of sharing unfair stories or ranting about how they feel. 

Amanda Rojas, a senior PHS student in AICE, thinks the dress code is an issue. Amanda is “not entirely against” the dress code, but feels it goes a bit too far, “I mean yeah, don’t wear booty shorts but your butt having to be covered when you wear leggings is a little much, so is a small portion of skin above the knee.”  

Rojas recalled a point in time where she wore a bandana as a headband and an unknown teacher told her teacher that she needed to take it off because she looked as though she were in a gang. She was particularly upset about the unnecessary treatment from administration, “I go to school to learn, not to be harassed by deans and teachers wanting me to cover up.” 

Chris Moore, a sophomore at PHS, feels as though the dress code is a burden, as well. Chris feels as though the rules are “over-bearing”. He was dress coded twice last year and three times this year. Mr. Moore understands that the dress code is to “to protect people from creeps” but “should be more laid back”. 

Chris referred to the whole dress-coding process as annoying, which is a common opinion amongst the students at PHS. Sometimes, dress code can cause a rift between students and administration. 

When referring to the dress code, Mrs. Dohme, an administrator at Palmetto High, said “There’s and intended purpose for it.” She said that the dress code was for students to not be distracted, and to dress for success. Dohme also commented on some of the widely accepted opinions of the dress code including the idea that the rules are unfair. “We attempt to be as fair as possible,” Dohme commented, “It’s not that we gear the dress code towards the females, it’s just that’s what the females end up wearing.”  

Mrs. Dohme also mentioned not showing any favoritism, some students just tend to cover up when walking past administration. She feels as though a lot of students try to fight the dress code by wearing inappropriate outfits or talking to her about it. “If you really want the rule changed, go to a school board meeting, I encourage it,” Dohme declared.