Jenks Students, Parents Aggravated Over 'Confusing' Dress Code

Parents and students in the Jenks Public School District are speaking up about the school’s new dress code.

They say it’s not clear and unfairly targets girls. The district implemented the new dress code just days before school, saying it just wants students to dress modest and reasonable.

On Wednesday dozens of Jenks Middle and High School students used their clothing to take a stand against the district's new dress code policy which they say is confusing and unfair, and targets girls.

“It feels like they are trying to say we are distracting in the classroom to the other kids, the boys, maybe even the teachers,” Sierra Renz, a Jenks Middle School student said.

Some say they bought new clothes for the semester that now just sit with tags still on them.

“I got a ton of shorts and skirts that now I just can’t wear, apparently my legs are a distraction but they’re not,” Student Marley Sanderson said.

Four days into the new school year, a group of Jenks students says they have watched dozens of girls in their classes get called out in front of their peers over what they are wearing.

“You get called to the front and they check your shorts with a ruler in front of everyone, which is really embarrassing,” Student Chase Hurley said.

A few days before school began, the district announced the new policy that states students must wear upper to mid-thigh length shorts. Many parents tell us this caused them to panic, and with no clear length requirement, it has led to some girls being sent to the office the moment they walk in the door, while other students have been found dress code compliant for the first few classes, and then another staff member told them they have to change. 

“It made for a lot of confusion and very hectic for an already hectic back-to-school season and not much fun,” Parent Casey Wilkins said.

Jenks Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Lair said they are trying to make positive changes to the dress code.

“I would never want my own daughter or any student to feel humiliated, that’s not the intent by anyone, and if that happened or if things are said we regret that,” Lair said.

Lair said they admit the new guidelines should have been announced earlier in the summer to clear any confusion.

“In this situation, we are asking for short and skirt length to be modest and reasonable, I think our new policy should be less restrictive,” Lair said.

Many of the girls say they have been wearing leggings and sweatpants in 9o degree heat, to avoid getting in trouble, but today they say they are proud to take a stand and have a message for the school board.

“Stop looking at our bodies it’s embarrassing and it’s disturbing that you all are looking at us like that,” Renz said.

School leaders say they never meant for anyone to feel embarrassed and are encouraging any parents or students with questions about the dress code to reach out to them by phone or Email.