EL PASO, Texas — An El Paso middle school is banning students from wearing all black due to its purported association with “depression and mental health issues and/or criminality.”
Charles Middle School Principal Nick DeSantis sent a letter to parents informing them about the change in the dress code for the new school year, Yahoo reports.
“We have put a great deal of time and effort into adjusting our dress code policies based on feedback from families, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders. Our goal with dress code, as well as everything else we do, is to provide a safe environment that inspires and empowers all Chargers to thrive,” he wrote. “We are eliminating a look that has taken over on campus with students wearing black tops with black bottoms, which has become more associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality than with happy and healthy kids ready to learn.”
Norma De La Rosa, the president of the El Paso Teachers Association, said teachers have noted that if a student goes from wearing colorful clothes to dressing in all black, it can be a red flag that the student is experiencing mental health problems.
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“Colors are not so much to prevent or stop mental health issues. You can have the most colorful dress on and still be suffering through depression,” she told KTUL. “What they are not allowing for students to wear clothing that is black from top to bottom. They can wear black shorts to go to PE. And they can wear it on free dress day, but they just cannot wear it from top to bottom.”
The El Paso Independent School District also issued a statement about the dress code change.
“Charles Middle School is updating its uniform policy to enhance students’ well-being and sense of pride. This decision, carefully considered and approved by the Campus Improvement Team—comprising parents, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders—aims to foster a positive self-image among students and more effectively showcase the school’s colors and pride,” the district wrote. “The dress code changes were a response to concerns and recommendations brought forward by the stakeholders of Charles Middle School. The school appreciates the community’s feedback and collaboration in making these changes.”
El Paso Schools Can Create Own Dress Codes
Schools in the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) are allowed to create their own dress codes. Charles Middle School’s dress code restricts most outfits to the school’s colors, which are dark green and black. Approved uniform options include black polos, sweatshirts, and socks. Acceptable gym clothes also include black T-shirts, shorts and pants.
However, schools must get dress code changes approved by the district, which Lonestar Live reports Charles Middle School did not do. An EPISD spokesperson told Lonestar that the changes came out of “a dialogue with the community in April” but that the middle school “prematurely” communicated the dress code changes before the required district-level approval.
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“We regret the miscommunication, particularly the intent behind the changes,” the spokesperson continued.
In an Aug. 9 statement, EPISD Superintendent Diana Sayavedra said she had been made aware of “recent discussions about the uniform policy at some of our schools.”
“These events have underscored the importance of open communication between the district, our schools, and the broader community,” she wrote.
El Paso Parents Push Back Against Dress Code Change
The policy has received pushback from parents, students, and community members.
“Making students wear a different color isn’t going to magically make them a completely different person,” one person commented on an online poll.
“Banning the color they feel comfortable to wear will make them more depressed,” another person commented on Facebook. “The color you wear does not reflect your mental illness or lack thereof.”
