Minnetonka High School Principal Asks For Modesty; Doesn't Ban Yoga Pants
Principal Dave Adney sent an email to parents this morning explaining that "Some of our girls have chosen to wear t-shirts with the leggings, thus exposing more leg and backside area" and asked parents to encourage modesty.
Facebook and Twitter were alive with pushback Monday afternoon after a supposed "yoga pants ban."
Tweets such as these were sent out by Minnetonka High School students: "They banned yoga pants at Minnetonka high school. Hahaha that's so ridculous," and "Can hear the cries of Minnetonka girls everywhere after adney banned yoga pants at the high school."
However, the school district explained there was no "ban" on tight-fitting pants, instead a call for modesty.
This email was sent to parents by Minnetonka High School Prinicipal Dave Adney on Monday at 9 a.m.:
Hello Parents of Minnetonka High School students,
This is Dave Adney with an update on high school fashion trends and a request.
As the weather gets colder we have noticed a fashion trend with our young women. Many of them choose to wear leggings usually made of spandex or another form of tight fitting material. In past years this has not been a major problem since fashion norms called for a long sweatshirt, jersey or sweater to be worn in conjunction with the leggings. This fall another pattern has emerged and we are requesting parent support.
Some of our girls have chosen to wear t-shirts with the leggings, thus exposing more leg and backside area. This can be highly distracting for other students and I am asking your assistance. If your daughters choose to wear leggings or other tight fitting clothing please support our goal of keeping things covered up. We encourage students to dress modestly and this trend is definitely a move away from our general expectations.
Thanks
Dave Adney
What do you think of this request? Is it necessary? Leave a comment below.
Allen Horner
7:20 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Teaching kids to respect themselves is a primary part of every teachers job and teaching girls to value themselves for something besides the shape of their bodies is critical in a country where Bulemia and Anorexia rival depression and suicide as the major teen maladies. Dress codes improve grades, classroom behavior and reduce clique formation, i favor them for every school.
Emily B
1:46 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
Allen, can you please provide something to backup your statement that "Dress codes improve grades, classroom behavior and reduce clique formation"? I might agree if you said uniforms do that, but I'm not convinced arbitrary dress codes do.
A R
7:55 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
While I completely agree MHS should have a dress code, also important is the need for males to be respectful and control themselves. This is not middle school anymore. I might add jeans are being worn just as form fitting as these controversial yoga pants. Are skinny jeans next?
M.H.
12:09 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Bravo to Principal Adney! The manner in which some young ladies are allowed to dress now days does not reflect modesty. School is to learn, including modesty and manners. It's not a fashion show.
georgia
9:05 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Must agree with AR--although I agree with the dress code the article said boys were told not to wear muscle shirts, but as a parent I never received such an email so it must have just been a message to the boys not an article in the Trib. I also find it funny this comes from a school that has photos of girls in bikinis at spring break in the year book! No wonder kids are confused!!
JMO
10:33 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
When all bullying is abolished in the Minnetonka School District, then let's talk. I cannot believe that people turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to bullying and spend all this time on leggings. Get your eyes and ears on the issues that affect our kids forever and always. I am aghast, ashamed and embarrassed.
Ryan Anderson
1:59 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
I am a former student who is familiar with the situation at hand. This school has so many issues--slipping grades (falling behind neighboring communities), drug use, etc. For this to be at the forefront of the principal's mind is almost irresponsible. Don't like how the girls dress? Don't look. What about the more important things I just mentioned? They're harder to ignore and should be his #1 priorities. Dave Adney needs to go.
Erin Black
9:54 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
As a current student, I can say that we do not have slipping grades (#1 in math and #2 in reading) and drug and alcohol use has gone down. 84% of Minnetonka students dont use in any given week. You said the school has so many issues, but only gave two. And it's not a matter of don't look if you don't like it, becuase it is a public school and kids have the right to feel safe in that setting. What many people don't realize is that women and girls were the ones complaining to him about the leggings. More female than male teachers complained about the leggings. The High Definition tights and spandex some of the girls are wearing is extremely distracting. Dave Adney is one of the best prinicipals in the state and has done wonderful things for Minnetonka. And he has many different priorities. I find myself doubting you were ever a student at this wonderful school. A graduate of Minnetonka High School wouldn't be as daft and dim-witted as you.
Kathleen Nelson
8:29 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
Yoga pants ≠ leggings! I understand the legging issue, but stop using YOGA PANTS in your headlines.
Barry
7:40 am on Sunday, November 18, 2012
Instead of Minnetonka cheer "Lets Go Tonka" will it be "Lets go Topless?".I can hear it now at the next hockey game the opposing school will be shouting it... Why are the parents letting their daughters be objects instead of letting the kids learn some thing important in school instead of a fashion statement..
Kathy Gleason
10:31 am on Sunday, November 18, 2012
Ok no, yoga pants are not the same as leggings. Leggings and tights can definitely look ridiculous and show off way too much of the female anatomy if not worn correctly. If these girls would follow the fashion trends they would know that wearing leggings (or tights for that matter) require a long tunic type top, sweater or dress. Cover that backside, and front for Pete's sake!
Sara F
5:01 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
welcome to real world. . .young working professional women are also not allowed to wear yoga pants to the real world office. Parents help your young woman in your house to know when and where to wear yoga pants, a slip under a skirt/dress..... As they get older may their boss or HR rep never have to tell them how to follow a dress code.
Sara F
5:04 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
leggings are also a no no in the corp business office world. Enjoy them outside of school :) Outside of school doors it is then the parents business to what their under 18 young woman wears while out and about.
David young
1:41 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Who cares
none of your business
10:28 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
i am a male student in the 8th grade and i support wearing yoga pants because i just like looking at butts
TheTruthHurts
9:09 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2013
Questioning this man's wisdom could be a symptom of a lack of social grace; sadly, poweful forces stunt young adults who have yet to learn to understand their identity, their emotions, and how their actions affect the world around them. They are highly self aware yet far from understanding selflessness which comes at a high price; rather, peers and media drive their identity. The harder you push against this the worse it will become. So we need to address the lack of identity and the absence of guidance.
Susan
9:24 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2013
Ironic. The guidance that this guy tried to provide was through the parents. Good luck with that! Get your kids into home school before the Godless mob sucks the "grace" out of them, too!