Have your say on dress codes at Chilliwack public schools
Posted April 11, 2019 6:25 pm.
Last Updated April 11, 2019 6:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CHILLIWACK (NEWS 1130) — Parents in Chilliwack are being asked to give their two cents on possible school dress code changes.
It follows a motion from a school trustee, that would allow students to wear essentially what they want, as long as it doesn’t have swear words, violence, or drugs or alcohol.
RELATED: Chilliwack school trustees stand by controversial dress code comments
Willow Reichelt proposed the changes, saying the dress codes unfairly target young women. She says she’s hoping to see a district-wide dress codes that are not discriminatory.
“It’s not just our district, it’s across the province, across the country — actually all across North America,” she says. “In different places, young women often spearheading a campaign to allow them to wear what they want and not police their bodies.
“I agree with that, and now that I’m a trustee, I thought hey, now I can actually do something about this.”
Her motion in March was met with controversial comments from some trustees, including one who said inappropriate clothing is a “form of harassment for a teacher.”
RELATED: ‘Form of harassment for a teacher’: Chilliwack trustee defends school dress code
An advisory committee is now considering the motion and looking for public feedback until the end of the month. Parents can weigh in on the district’s website.
“I would be pleasantly surprised if it comes back pretty much unchanged — that would make me extra happy — but I’m really, honestly I’m just so happy to have started this conversation,” she says.
“If it comes back with some changes, I would be happy, even if it comes back with a lot of changes I would still be happy, as long as we eliminate some of the sexist aspects.”
