All-black clothing is prohibited at Texas middle schools for students.
Texas middle school principal warns parents about the negative association of black with depression and mental health issues.
From Monday, students at a Texas middle school will have new dress restrictions, prohibiting them from wearing black clothing from head to toe on the first day of classes.
At H.E. Charles Middle School, part of the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD), the principal, Nick DeSantis, stated in a letter to parents, as reported by local media outlets, that the color black is linked to depression and mental health problems, as well as criminality.
The school's dress code for the current academic year, as stated in the student handbook on the website, permits students to wear solid-colored polo shirts in the school colors of green, gray, and black, and approved bottoms in black or khaki, with blue jeans allowed on specific days.
"Fabiola Flores, the parent, informed KFOX that they already purchased black pants, so they must buy again. She suggested that they should ask for the customer's opinion, like, 'What do you think?' or 'We're thinking about it!'"
The district acknowledged that the announcement could have been communicated differently, but attributed it to the input of parents and teachers on the campus improvement team.
Parents across the U.S. may struggle with availability and pay out of pocket for dress codes at EPISD schools, according to SmartAsset Financial Advisors.
Nearly 600 students attend Charles Middle School, with 87% of them being economically disadvantaged, according to U.S. News.
At least one parent says the color change may be beneficial.
Nancy Rangel-Gomez, a parent, believes that the mood of the school can be negatively affected if it is just black.
The El Paso Teachers Association President Norma De La Rosa informed KFOX that students at Charles Middle School will be permitted to wear black shorts for physical education and the color can be worn on "free dress day." She advises parents to read the school's dress code in its entirety to avoid any misunderstandings.
A mental health professional advised KFOX that depression does not manifest in terms of colors or outfits. Instead, she emphasized the importance of recognizing other indicators in students.
Sarah Venegas, EPISD Executive Principal, stated that the district would welcome mental health professionals to join decision-making committees, as reported by KFOX.
The district's superintendent, Diana Sayavedra, acknowledged in a recent community message that dress code policies have been a topic of discussion at some schools in EPISD.
"We view this as a valuable chance to cultivate a healthy relationship with the community in order to align on our shared values of safety and student achievement," Sayavedra stated. "We are dedicated to maintaining this conversation to enhance our partnership."
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