Ban on cheerleader uniforms in class draws boos

Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) ^ | 10/7/2003 | Associated Press

[Born Conservative]

Ban on cheerleader uniforms in class draws boos
Associated Press

BERWICK, Pa. - Cheerleaders in the Berwick Area School District have been barred from wearing their uniforms to class, prompting protests from the squad and student leaders.

Superintendent David Force said the cheerleader skirts are much shorter than is allowed by the school dress code. But student leaders came to a school board work session Monday night to plead for an exception.

Class of 2004 president Travis Petty said "distraught" cheerleaders had come to him seeking help. He said cheerleaders have worn uniforms to class on the days of football games for the last three decades.

The school dress code requires that the hems of skirts come down to the girls' fingertips when they hold their arms at their sides, and the cheerleader uniforms do not necessarily pass that test, Petty said. And, he said some students had complained about the cheerleaders being allowed to wear the short skirts.

Petty said, however, that teachers and administrators he has spoken with are in favor of an exception. "This is your chance to prove to all of us that student government does matter," he said.

Directors agreed to vote on the issue at their regular Oct. 13 meeting.

Force said the district has been cracking down on dress code violations. The board turned down a proposal to require school uniforms last year, and people told administrators that they should enforce the existing dress code instead, he said.

"We have students we're sending home to change clothes because of the length of their attire," Force said. "But then we'd be saying another group of students is allowed to wear that length."

Director Maryann Kovalewski asked if tights or leggings could be worn under the uniforms. Force said the squad's adviser had told him that the only acceptable way to cover the girls' legs would be to buy them pants at the cost of $110 to $112 each.

"With 30 cheerleaders, that's not an option," Force said.

Director Wayne Strausser said he thought the uniforms were conservative compared to what other girls at the high school are wearing.

"When I see some young ladies, I have to turn my head or I might be accused of groping," he said.

[LurkedLongEnough]

The solution is to require that cheerleaders be males only.

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[Born Conservative]

But they would have to make sure they shave their legs :)

[Imal]

The football team doesn't get to wear their uniforms in class, either.

Grow up, girls.

[nevergore]

Duh...
This is an easy one.....exempt school approved team uniforms on Spirit days with coach's approval....
NeverGore

[AppyPappy]

Buy more appropriate uniforms or skirts.

[ColdSteelTalon]

I think that the cheerleader uniform is obscene. I should be banned from use.

[JoeSixPack1]

Has any thoughs been cast towards making the cheerleader's skirts "longer"?

[cajungirl]

Distraught cheerleaders?. For some reason that has me giggling.

[Snake65]

Oh! how I loved game days when I was a high schooler...they had the greatest little red, white, and black uniforms that looked attractive whether the gal was blonde, brunette, or redhead.

[SwinneySwitch]

"When I see some young ladies, I have to turn my head or I might be accused of groping,"

LOL An Arnold fan perhaps?

[ColdSteelTalon]

That is "It" should be banned from use.

HEHEHEHE

[sarasota]

Same here. Of all the things to be "distraught" about...

[Skip Ripley]

We can still get their pictures on the internet though, right?

[freedomcrusader]

Class of 2004 president Travis Petty said "distraught" cheerleaders had come to him seeking help.

If it's true that some cheerleaders are "distraught" over this issue, then they need to get a life.

Of course, this is a student speaking, so methinks he's exaggerating the situation to generate sympathy. Pretty lame attempt, at that.

[RonF]

At my son's high school, all members of school-sponsored uniformed activities wear that uniform the day of a competition, or the day before if the competition is on a weekend. Players whose uniform can't be properly worn without equipment (e.g., football players) wear their pad-less practice jerseys. Even the math team has had T-shirts printed up (my son's on it).

[Charles Henrickson]

Distraught cheerleader:

[E Rocc]

The football team doesn't get to wear their uniforms in class, either.

We'd wear our jerseys and sometimes our game pants on game days.

-Eric

[vin-one]

no but the football players would normally wear the game jersey

Get over it, Cheerleaders deserve to wear their uniforms,

what ever happened to school pride, and spirit.