Archbishop Carroll´s administration and teachers were extra-strict this year regarding adherence to dress down day themes during Spirit Week, and that seemed to have worked, although not all the students were happy about it.
Mr. Christopher Fryberger, assistant principal for student life, said 57 demerits were issued during Spirit Week for dress code violations, which was fewer than during the same time last year. That may have been because he administration spread the word through social media and emails that the school would be cracking down on students who did not follow the rules on dress down days. Therefore, the students who received demerits earned them because they were aware of the rules and chose not to follow them, Fryberger said.
Tensions between the student body and faculty focused not only on the strict adherence to the themes but also on dress down day themes themselves. Some students asked their classmates to sign a petition to change last Thursday’s theme, which was senior citizens for juniors and seniors and babies for freshmen and sophomores. The petitioners wanted the theme to be sports jersey day. The petition effort failed to sway the administration.
“Students are always welcome to bring up new ideas to the student council representatives or to express interest in joining the student council the following year,” said Principal William Gennaro.
Student Council Vice President Sarah Barrera Cruz said she knew the senior citizens vs. babies theme wasn’t going to be changed.
“I don’t know how they thought they could change the theme the day before, when student council is in charge for the themes,” she said.
Some students said dress down days should be days when students choose what to wear.
“They have a right to wear what they feel like,” said Ruthie Kozak, a senior.
On Thursday, some of those who opposed the theme wore sports jerseys anyway, although they also wore apparel with Carroll’s logo, such as sweatpants, so they wouldn’t get written up for a dress code violation. Wearing clothing with the Carroll logo always is acceptable on dress down days, no matter the theme.
