The first bell of the new school year rang on Aug. 25, signaling to Middletown High School students that the time has come to get to their new classes for the first day. Once students found their classes and scrambled inside, they relaxed a little from the previous tension of the night before.

Some students were trying to get last-minute summer conversations in before the teachers began their 90-minute lecture on school procedures and class expectations. Others were observing all the differences of their friends that weren’t there on the last day of school three months ago.

Most likely, this change in appearance results from the major back-to-school sales that occurred two weeks prior that offered all sorts of new styles and trends coming in for the fall season.

When a new trend appears each season, there is a question as to what is appropriate to wear in the school building.

“There is usually more of an issue at the beginning of the year and in the springtime when it starts to get warmer,” said Brooke Hontz, MHS assistant principal.

During each season, students get a feel for what is acceptable to wear during the school day, especially during the first few weeks of school. If they aren’t sure, the Frederick County Public Schools’ dress code is listed in the school agenda and the school calendar.

However, students who follow the dress code feel that they have a limited use of self-expression.

“People who are more expressive through their clothing can’t wear most of the things they want because of the dress code and restricting them to express themselves,” said Kayla Armstrong, MHS senior.

On the other hand, some students agree with the code and don’t see any problems.

“I think that the dress code doesn’t limit self-expression very much. I believe that there are certain things that shouldn’t be allowed in schools,” said Caleb Rapp, also an MHS senior.

There are rarely ever any changes with the dress code, but MHS allows for some exceptions on “spirit days” and during medical situations.

When MHS has medical situations, students can violate the dress code to stay healthy. “If there is some sort of medical condition, the administration and guidance can tell teachers and give the exception to let them wear a hat,” said Hontz.

The policy on hats is one of the more popular complaints heard around the school.

“The dress code is fair enough, but I think it’s a little outrageous on the hats,” said Alex Gomes, MHS freshman.  Gomes added that he wants to be able to wear them in school throughout the whole day and doesn’t see why he can’t.

This year, administration has decided to be more lenient to wearing hats in school. Instead of no hats allowed at all, students are now able to wear them when walking to class in the mornings and as soon as school is dismissed. “Wearing no hats in the school building is a symbol of respect and traditional. It’s also a safety precaution because a hat can conceal someone’s identity,” said Hontz.

Not only are hats one of the bigger complaints, but the controversy over feminism has also created concerns with the code.

Girls believe that some of the reasons for not being able to dress a certain way is unfair to them. In the dress code, it says that students should not be wearing clothing that exposes the shoulders, midriff or back. Girls who are found to be in violation of the code may be asked to put on an item of clothing provided by the school or, in some  cases, are sent home to change.

“I think the dress code does have an effect on feminism because this [shows] that dressing inappropriately is more important than feminism,” said Emma Poletti, MHS freshman. Poletti also said that she never sees the code being enforced on boys.

Some of the MHS boys agree and think that girls should be represented more fairly. “I think that the rules should be 100 percent equal on each side; that way, it’s as fair as it can be,” said Rapp.

One references the use of feminism as being discriminating to girls only.

“You shouldn’t be able to send girls home due to what they’re wearing because it’s implying that if the boys can’t focus at the school because of how a girl looks, then she must leave,” said Kaleigh Waters, MHS sophomore.

So far, not many students have been violating the dress code this year.

Hontz says that there aren’t many issues with it. When there are, a faculty member will give a verbal request to change the problem outfit and then call home if it happens again. If the problem becomes continuous, then there will be after-school detentions assigned to the student.

If the problem were to ever get out of hand, then FCPS has the power to make schools issue a uniform policy.

When it comes to teachers dressing appropriately, there is no set dress code to follow, but there is an expectation.

“You are dressing in a manner where you stand out to look more professional than a student,” said Hontz.

The only days that they can dress down are on Fridays, or “Casual Fridays”. Many times teachers will opt to wear school colors or jeans and a less-formal top while still looking pulled together.

While some students don’t agree with some aspects of the dress code, administration stated that the dress code is represented fairly and doesn’t foresee any changes down the line.