How Long Should Students' Outfits Be?

A policy requiring student apparel to no shorter than their armspan prompted some discussion at the Monday night School Committee meeting.

The policy states that outfits should no shorter than students' fingertips when they stand with their hands by their side.

Committee member Daryl Rynning wholeheartedly supported the policy. "I'm all for that,'' she said. "I've seen stuff that's like, Wow.''

Fellow committee member Donna Stock said the policy "might be within reason,'' but said it is difficult to find clothing for teens that fits the stipulations.

On nice-weather days, she said, "75 percent of girls are not going to adhere to that policy.''

Grafton High School principal James Pignataro was asked to clarify a statement prohibiting body piercings that could be "harmful.''

Pignataro said there have beeen cases where students wear chains, which could then be tugged on, which could cause injury.

Students have also worn spikes, which could hurt them should they fall, he said.

These requirements were crafted with input from the Student Council, Grafton High School assistant principal Maureen Cohen said.

The discussion was sparked by a routine reading of school policies prior to their being accepted and placed in the official student handbook.