Twelve Bridges Middle school students, parent bring up dress code

One parent and four students from Twelve Bridges Middle School spoke during public comment about the dress code at the Western Placer Unified School District Board Meeting Tuesday night. "Girls shouldn't have the fear of being written up for something they want to wear," student Olivia Higden said. Eighth-grader Ella Lane said that everyone should be able to "equally express themselves" through their clothing without the implication that girls are trying to make a sexual statement through weather-appropriate clothing such as tank tops and shorts. Student Luna Kirby said that tank tops are more comfortable than wearing T-shirts, especially in the 100-plus degree weather. The dress code, Lane said, has too much focus on girls when enforcing the dress code as opposed to boys. Seventh-grader Elliot Armstrong also agreed, saying there are "far fewer rules for boys to break in the first place." Student Luna Kirby said, "us girls get dress coded very frequently… why are only girls getting dress-coded?" After public comment, the student advisory council shared that so far, 32 students have been disciplined for their attire at Twelve Bridges, 26 of which were girls. Also, they sent a dress code survey to students and discovered that most students did not have a problem with the dress code language but rather had issues with the way it is enforced in school. Kirby also said that she has witnessed boys breaking their dress codes who haven't been coded or even warned about their clothing. Parent Francesca Lane spoke in support of these students. She brought her daughter up with her, who was wearing the black pair of jean shorts she had been dress coded for last year. Francesca Lane explained that it can be difficult to go clothing shopping, as many clothes do not fit the current dress code. The mother also said that it is hard to find clothing in her daughter's closet that fits the dress code, so having to buy a complete new wardrobe is difficult from a financial standpoint. School Board President Damian Armitage acknowledged the "young ladies," who spoke during public comment, is "our population who is affected most by the dress code." Board member April Nistos said the students were "eloquent and well spoken" in sharing their thoughts on the Twelve Bridges dress code. The board did not say if they would discuss the dress code at a later board meeting. In other news A presentation was given by Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) at Tuesday's school board meeting. AVID is a school program for college and career readiness through schoolwide and elective classes. Two Lincoln High School students benefiting from the program shared their experiences. Senior Diane Ngyuen said that the program helps students looking into the logistics of college such as creating a list of potential colleges, how to apply, and calculating tuition and other expenses. Senior Sukhdeep Singh Hayer was in the program while attending Twelve Bridges Middle School and while attending Lincoln High School. "AVID is not just a program, it is a movement," Hayer said. Many of the Advancement via Individual Determination staff have encouraged him to pursue his future goals and have given him more confidence for the future, Hayer said. A Career Technical Education (CTE) presentation was also made. Like the program before, the Career Technical Education program gives students "the tools to pursue a career path of their own choosing and a plan to achieve their goals after graduation." The program offers career-based pathways and classes and internship opportunities. Its comprehensive, five-year-plan sets goals for implementing this program from the high school level all the way to the transitional kindergarten level in 2026-2027. The California School Employee Association, experiencing a food service, bus driver and special education position shortage, asked for Western Placer Unified School District support by getting temporary positions filled until qualified applicants for the positions are found. Both memorandums of understanding between the California School Employee Association and the Western Placer Unified School District regarding this issue were approved.