In August 2017, Tony Alarcon’s phone rang unexpectedly.
Like many parents, he thought it might be a telemarketer. But this time, he answered the call.
Hearing from the school can be nerve-wracking for any parent. Tony immediately started worrying—was his daughter, Demetra, okay? Had something happened?
What he found out left him surprised.
It was a hot summer day in Northern California, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees. Tony had dropped off his 13-year-old daughter, Demetra, at school that morning. She wore a blue romper to stay cool in the heat, and neither of them thought the outfit would cause any issues.
Demetra, a student at Raymond J. Fisher Middle School in Los Gatos, California, had simply dressed for the weather.
Not everyone agreed with Demetra’s outfit. A teacher at her school said her romper was “too distracting” for the boys.
When the teacher told Demetra that her outfit was too short, her dad, Tony, rushed back to the school with a change of clothes—jean shorts and a tank top. But the school said those clothes were also inappropriate.
Tony was shocked. He asked Demetra to bend over and touch her toes in front of the school administrator. “Nothing is hanging out. There’s nothing inappropriate. I don’t understand this dress code rule,” he told TODAY.
Still, the school said her clothes were “distracting.” Since it was 90 degrees outside, Tony had no choice but to go to his car and grab a pair of leggings for Demetra to wear.
Demetra felt embarrassed.
Tony expressed his frustration, saying, “She’s just a kid. She’s only 13. She’s not trying to be a sex symbol. She just wants to be comfortable and attend class, but we’re not giving her that chance.”
This wasn’t the first time Demetra had been in trouble for her clothes. Just a week before, she was called out for a visible bra strap. “When I got dress coded last week, they said my bra strap was showing,” Demetra told the *San Jose Mercury News*. “Like, I’m wearing a bra—what’s the big deal?”
Tony, a successful investment advisor and father of two, didn’t let it go. Angry at what he saw as an unfair rule that mostly targeted girls, he took his complaint to social media. Parents from all over the country showed their support, agreeing that the school’s dress code was outdated and unfair to girls.
“Demetra’s not the only one. If you sit in the school parking lot, you’ll see that,” Tony said. “Lots of girls just want to be comfortable, but they feel forced to wear leggings even when it’s 100 degrees outside.”
Tony believed that parents, not schools, should decide if their children’s clothes are appropriate. He was also worried about how being told their clothing is a “distraction” to boys could affect young girls emotionally in the long run.
The story quickly got attention from the media, with major news outlets reporting on Tony’s efforts to change the dress code. While the school didn’t speak on camera, they did release a statement:
“The Los Gatos Union School District believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment,” the district said. “Students are expected to wear clothes that reflect the core values of our learning community.”
Tony’s efforts made an impact. His push for change led the Los Gatos Union School District to reevaluate its dress code to make it fairer and less strict for all students.
Lisa Fraser, the school’s principal, explained that the dress code rules, called “Fashion Faux Pas,” apply to both girls and boys. Some of the rules include no hats or hoods indoors, no visible underwear, no inappropriate logos or words, and shorts must have at least 4-inch inseams.
“There has always been a dress code,” Fraser told a newspaper. “These are basic rules for appropriate behavior. I can set guidelines for the school, but I want them to reflect the community’s values.”
In the end, Tony Alarcon’s persistence started an important discussion about how school dress codes affect young girls — showing that one parent’s voice can truly make a difference.
What do you think about the school’s dress code? Have you or your children faced a similar situation? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
76-year-old Susan Sarandon criticized for her clothing – has the perfect response for haters
The actress has always been a proponent of body positivity and always likes to express herself with her fashion choices. She has quite an unapologetic personality and is vocal about the causes she supports.
It was during a red carpet event that the actress was wearing a white jacket with a black bra which raised some eyebrows. A journalist went as far as to say her outfit was “totally inappropriate.”
But instead of trying to defend herself with words, the actress decided to use a picture. She posted an old picture of herself in her underwear, proudly displaying her figure. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and Sarandon shut up anyone who was questioning what was ‘appropriate’ for her and what wasn’t.
he actress is not bothered about aging and focuses on what feels important to her. She said in an interview, “When your sense of time has an ending and isn’t finite, like how it feels when you’re young.” She added, “When you have an understanding that time is precious—you have a tendency not to waste energy on the small stuff and only to surround yourself with people who are vital, curious, brave, and adventurous.”
As for what she does to maintain her beauty, she simply said, “If you want to age gracefully, probably laugh a lot, and get the normal amount of exercise, and eat well and stay out of the sun would be the main things,” Sarandon stated. But the actress added, as is having an amazing makeup and hair team to help you keep looking good.
Susan Sarandon is surely one of a kind! The actress marches to the beat of her own drum and does not pay attention to anyone who has something negative to say about her. What do you think of her response to haters? Let us know in the comments.
Make sure to share this piece with your friends and family so that next time they face criticism, they can adopt a strategy similar to Susan!
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