For many of the school rules, Mr. Teisl says he tries “to work within the concept of finding a fair and agreeable line.” Many students say the rules this year are “unfair.”
The main change from last year would be the dress code for both boys and girls. Apparently, in previous years, the lengths of the girls’ skirts or lack thereof has been a very big problem. Though Mr. Teisl does not believe wearing the tights will lengthen the skirts, he does want the girls to understand that short skirts are simply inappropriate, “especially at a Catholic school.”
Last year in Convocation, I happened to always catch Mr. Teisl’s lectures about the length and appearance of socks, and how they were not high enough or plain enough. I think students face strict enforcement of rules. We all could now agree that we regret ignoring his pleads about wearing the appropriate socks.
Mr. Teisl mentioned that there were many opportunities to have meetings so we could reach what he calls a “happy medium.” When the massive number of two or zero students show up to these meetings, that shows the lack of interest we have in our dress code. By no means do I agree with the tights rule, but did we ultimately put this upon ourselves?
I would next like to point out that the world is meant to change. I believe that the faculty is having a hard time adapting to new age lifestyles. Change is inevitable. Yes, we depend on our cell phones to live. Yes, we listen to provocative music. And yes, we like to dance in groups with our bodies right next to each other. But this is who we are. These are behaviors of expression. If we didn’t do these things, we wouldn’t be the 21st century students we in fact want to be.
I think the enforcement of the rules could be called a “crack down.” I regret that this is all happening during my senior year. Where is the happy medium? When students are upset about some rules being strictly enforced, we all need to really think about what we want, what we think, what the school wants, and what the school thinks. Then we may be able to navigate these turbulent times together. The class of 2011 specifically was waiting for this year, but not for all these rules. It is honestly sad, upsetting, and very disappointing.
I will comply with the rules here, especially considering that it is a private Catholic school, but I feel as if there is an ongoing argument between the faculty and students, and we push each other’s limits daily. Of course the faculty gets the ultimate authority and the students are well aware of that, but this is our school too, and we need to make sure our voices are heard.
Maybe being at a private Catholic school means we are going to be asked to follow rules that may differ from those of a public school, but having a little fun and doing it in a smart way is what we are shooting for as Gilmour students. Reaching a happy medium this year is certainly a goal for the students and faculty here at Gilmour and hope-
fully sooner rather then later we can all get on the same path and achieve this goal. We need to keep talking. All of us.
