Sto-Rox School District implementing updated dress code this school year

STOWE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Inside Sto-Rox School District, changes are underway.

“It started initially with having a security company having a director of security, last year as you know we took every child’s cell phone at the beginning of the day and returned at the end of the day kindergarten through 12th grade,” said Megan Van Fossan who’s the Superintendent at Sto-Rox School District.

It’s all part of a long-range plan to address safety and security concerns as we’ve seen more community violence involving teens. The latest change starts in less than two weeks with a new dress code.

“Every single pair of pants, every single type of shirt we want the kids to buy can be bought at a Target, Walmart, Kohl’s, places where you can find reasonable prices,” Van Fossan said.

The new policy eliminates jeans, open-toed shoes, and large logos. Van Fossan believes it creates a level playing field for students to focus on academics.

“When we take away these distractions, they have more time to focus on what is really important and focus on their individual goals,” Van Fossan said.

Outside the building, safety and security is also top of mind. Soon these windows will be wrapped so no one outside can see in, but inside they can still see out. Plus, grant funding will add bulletproof film too. Van Fossan said these steps of change are really working.

“If there was any type of drama or fight and you had 600 kids with a cell phone that information travels quickly and when 600 kids don’t have a phone, we can isolate and deal with the issue at hand rather than everyone coming to take videos and put it out on social media. It was a game changer,” van Fossan said.

The hope is the dress code works the same way. For those who can’t afford the changes, the district does have extra clothing on hand at each building and will be monitoring as kids head back to school.

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