The Philadelphia School District's updated dress code protects student self-expression

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The new school year brought with it a new dress code for students in the Philadelphia School District.

It gives students more space to express themselves without fear of discrimination.

“It was in effect from the first day of school,” Rachel Holzman, who serves as assistant superintendent in the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for the School District of Philadelphia, said of the district’s new dress code.

“I think we’re one of the first major districts to have this explicitly written into a code,” she said.

It's not unusual for the district to make small adjustments to the dress code before each school year, but this year the changes are far more noticeable. The School District of Philadelphia has updated its code of conduct to explicitly state what is acceptable under the district's dress code.

One of these changes specifically states that students who wear cultural and protective hairstyles will not be discriminated against or penalized.

As stated in the updated dress code, these styles include: “braids, curls, puffs, afros, twists, wigs, including styles with elements such as headbands, headpieces, bonnets, barrettes or beads.”

The policy has received support from parents like Gina Campbell, who has three children in the school district.

“Even if I wear my hair in curls, braids or afro puffs, I still won't be judged or looked at any differently,” she said of the mindset the new dress code could give kids when it comes to confidence.

“It’s really very much about cultural competency and respect for everyone’s culture,” Holzman said.

The dress code also protects religious attire and the right of students to dress according to their gender identity.

“We have made it very clear that there can be no discipline for this,” Holzman said.

The clarifications were carried out with the involvement of students and parents.

“I think students should wear what they feel comfortable with. As long as they're learning, they should wear whatever they want, said Sharon Mayers, who has grandchildren in the school district.

While medical masks are permitted, the dress code still prohibits ski masks.

“The only thing we prohibit is full face coverings because that poses a safety risk,” Holzman said.

The updated dress code is already drawing attention from equal rights advocates.

“They're trying to promote this across the country,” Holzman said of advocates who spoke to a group that works with the school district.

The goal is for all students to be themselves.

“Everyone comes in as they are,” Campbell said, “and we accept them as they are.”

The school district is hosting forums at various schools to educate students and administrators about the new dress code. The Philadelphia School District's dress code and entire Code of Conduct can be found here: https://www.philasd.org/studentrights/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/2024/06/Code-of-Conduct-24 -25- 1.pdf