A Texas middle school will have new restrictions on what to wear on the first day of class on Monday, with changes to its dress code banning head-to-toe black clothing.
The change will be implemented at HE Charles Middle School, which is part of the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD). In a letter to parents reported by local media, the school’s principal, Nick DeSantis, argued that black is associated with “depression and mental health issues” and even “crime.”
According to last year’s dress code, published in the student handbook on the school’s website, students are allowed to wear plain polo shirts in the school colors of green, gray or black and approved bottoms in black or khaki, with blue jeans allowed on certain days.
“I already bought black pants, so I have to buy more pants,” parent Fabiola Flores said. Local KFOX“They should ask. [should] “Just say, ‘Hey, what do you think?’ or ‘I’m considering it!'”
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A black uniform is on display at what appears to be the front of the school. (KFOX)
The school district acknowledged to local officials that the announcement could have been made differently, but said it was the result of concerns raised by parents and teachers who are part of campus improvement teams.
EPISD schools are allowed to set their own dress codes, but parents across the country may have a hard time obtaining them and end up paying for them out of pocket. SmartAsset Financial Advisors says:
Charles Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 and has approximately 600 students. US news. Of these, 87% are considered to be “economically disadvantaged.”
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The new school year at Charles Middle School begins on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, but students will not be allowed to wear all black. (KFOX)
At least one parent says the color change could be beneficial.
“I think if it was just black people, it would create a bad atmosphere in the school,” parent Nancy Rangel Gomez told KVIA-TV.
Students at Charles Middle School are allowed to wear black shorts in gym class and the color can also be worn on “free dress days,” El Paso Teachers Association President Norma De La Rosa told KFOX, and she encouraged parents to read the school’s dress code in its entirety to avoid any confusion.
A letter was sent to parents from Charles Middle School Principal Nick DeSantis. (KFOX)
Mental health experts told KFOX that depression has no “color” or “outfit.” Rather, there are other signs students should look out for.
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EPISD Executive Superintendent Sarah Venegas told KFOX that the district wants to include mental health professionals on decision-making committees.
EPISD has not yet responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, but Community Message The district’s superintendent, Diana Sayavedra, acknowledged that “dress code policies have recently come to the attention of the community at several schools.”
“We see this as a valuable opportunity to foster healthy engagement with the community as part of our efforts to establish our shared values around safety and student success,” Sayavedra continued. “We are committed to continuing this dialogue to strengthen our collaboration.”
