I am writing to you, as a parent whose kids have been in the Fayette School System for 23 years, with some concerns in regards to the proposed dress code change and book bag issue.

I fear the proposed changes may be a knee jerk reaction to pacify some parent concerns due to events that have happened over the last year throughout the country and here in Georgia. These are probably parents that are much too busy to take the time to deal with the real issues so they look towards others to solve the problems for them.

Lets be truthful. This dress code proposal is in response to what happened at the schools in Colorado and Conyers. The July 22 article in the Atlanta Journal stated that parents at the task force meeting were eager to ensure a Columbine High killing doesn't happen in Fayette County.

Guess what. Wearing pants at the “natural waistline” will not stop this. Long shirttails or baggy clothing will not stop this. Not carrying a book bag will not stop this. The kids that did the recent school shootings did not try to hide the weapons. They came to their schools with one thing in mind and no metal detector, security camera or security guard could have stopped what happened.

If the two boys in Columbine had been wearing Khaki pants, polo shirts and deck shoes, would the board try to eliminate this type of dress? Believe me when I say that kids are starved for attention and they are going to get it one way or the other. If they can't get it through the love of their family or friends, quite often they are going to get it by doing things that get them in trouble.

Perhaps if we saw our children as individuals that have a lot to offer to society, treated them with kindness and disciplined them when needed, these policies would not be needed. Instead of the proposed code changes, perhaps we should adopt a new code requiring parents to attend PTA meetings, to meet their children's teachers, to at least see the school that their child attends and to daily tell their children that they love them.

I think this code would solve many more problems than requiring a belt on pants with belt loops. Parents missing a PTA meeting without a written excuse should be made to attend ISS. Then again, this would actually require parents getting involved in their kids' lives. We are much too busy for that. Let's just let the School Board decide what is best for our children.

John King
Fayette County

PS: After I wrote this I looked down and noticed my shirt was not tucked in, I was not wearing a belt and my “natural waistline” left me some years ago.

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