Page 2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers, It has come to the attention of the publications staff that a large portion of the student body is displeased with the St. Albert dress code. Many stated in a Google poll conducted by The Accipiter that they find the uniforms outdated and the rules unfair or unfairly enforced. Be- cause of this ongoing issue, the St. Albert journalism department decided to thoroughly analyze the school’s dress code. Inside this edition there will be multiple articles going into depth over certain aspects of the uniform. Each article will provide comments from both the administration and the student body to get different points of view. The publications staff has also researched the dress codes of several other schools, but specifically Dowling of West Des Moines, Kuem- per of Carroll, and Skutt from Omaha. The information found on these schools was put into a spreadsheet for the SA student body to compare. While a majority of this edition is covering the dress code, I thought it was also impor- tant to recognize our cross-country team and Emma Gardner for making it to state. In this edi- tion there will also be a couple winter sport previews to get you excited for the upcoming sea- son. Both basketball teams seem to be looking good and the wrestling team seems to have a huge increase in numbers, which excites me for an all-around great winter sports season. I believe it’s important for you, the readers, to understand that the publication staff is student-run, and because of that the students like to write about what interests them the most. The goal of this Accipiter is not to bash the administration or complain. The goal of this edition is to get students involved in an issue that they care about and to write and investigate it. Whether this Accipiter causes change or not, the student body will be better informed and have been taught that we do have a voice. Sincerely, Drew Gronstal St. Peter’s Catholic Church PublicationsHy-Vee SponsorsSynder and Associates SA Middle School Drama Club Sommerville Resources Cutler O’Neill Funeral Home Savage Law Elizabeth & Scott Doll Frontier Bag Company Todd Archer Hyundai Kouri Management Gabriel’s Corner 712 eat + drink Real Value Auto Greg Duncan-State Farm Kim Kouri, Lisa Dunning, Liz Doll Great Outdoors Joseph Faust Enterprises LLC Hutcheson Engineering Products Inc. EPCO Bill’s Drywall Doll Distributing Kelly’s Carpet Council Bluffs Berger & O’Toole, CPAs Merlin and Edith Doll Harmony Court Big Brain Productions Omni Dental Oskies Peter Ziegler DDS Orthodontics Pizza King Availa Bank Gorilla Carwash Stuntz Family Dentistry Hilderbrand Construction Edward Jones, Financial Advisor: McGinn, McGinn, Springer & Noethe Beardmore Chevrolet Gable Andrews Southwest Ortho, Wendell R. Stuntz Dean T. Jennings, Attorney at Law and Michelle Wulf Heartland Wood Floors Page 3 Poll: Dress Code Too Restrictive By Maggie King Staff Writer It might not come as a surprise that quite a few St. Albert High School students have ideas for changing what they can wear to school. A Google poll was sent to St. Albert’s high school students in early November to gather opin- ions about the dress code. About 52 percent, or 84 students, responded. Of those who participated, 63 students said they think the uniform dress code is too strict, while another 21 said it is just right. Same with the grub day dress code. Sixty- nine students said they think the grub day rules are too strict, while 15 think it’s just right. When it came to suggestions about what they would change, the ideas that received 50 per- cent or more support from among the 84 students were the ability to wear: to see, other students think the dress code is just Other jackets during school (such as North Face fine. According to the poll, 12 people felt the rules or Columbia) for girls don’t need any changes, while eight liked Different colored/patterned sweaters the boys’ rules. Pants that have outside back pockets When it comes to following the rules, 12 Any shoe style, including boots (with pants people felt students should “suck it up” and stop tucked inside the boot). complaining. But 60 students disagreed with this In addition, 48 students, or 57 percent, said advice. Another 12 students were neutral or just boys should be allowed to grow their hair to touch didn’t care. the shirt collar. When it comes to enforcement, 63 of the Under the St. Albert dress code, hair length students, or 75 percent, said Principal David is not addressed. The code says students cannot Schweitzer and Vice Principal Ken Schreiber are have “extreme hair” and it should not cover the strict. eyes. However, administration can require a hair However, in the comment section of the cut if it is not well-groomed or causes a disruption. survey, more than a dozen students mentioned that For grub days, the majority of the students enforcement is inconsistent throughout the school. polled supported wearing leggings or yoga pants, “Some people get away with stuff that oth- ripped jeans and athletic shorts that don’t go to the ers don’t so if it’s going to be strict, then enforce it knee. for everyone.” According to the dress code rules in the “Some teachers just go straight to a demerit Student/Parent Handbook & Code of Conduct on when you’re out of dress code. You should be able the St. Albert website, girls already have a shorter to get a warning.” shorts option. The rules state: “Bermuda shorts “There seems to only be problems with (whose length falls within the range of the finger- what the girls wear on grub days, so I feel like tips when the student is standing with their arms they’re really only enforcing the girls grub day resting at their sides) may be worn from the begin- dress code.” ning of the school year through October and during But another student mentioned, “I think a the months of April and May.” lot of people don’t realize how relaxed it is other Despite changes some students would like than grub days.” Page 4 Dress Code Enforcement Proves Challenging By Cody Athay everyone is following the rules. Staff Writer … The dress code helps estab- Ken Schreiber routinely lish guidelines for a fitting envi- stands in the St. Albert lobby as ronment to have school,” he students arrive each morning. said, adding, “I don’t want The vice principal’s task teachers spending an inordinate is two-fold: to greet students at amount of time on that.” the start of the day and to make Schreiber said dress sure they are following rules, code violations are third on the including the dress code. Senior Reed Miller was told these list of largest infractions. More “Good morning.” shoes violated the dress code. students are reprimanded for “Hey, tuck in that shirt.” new pair of shoes for school that being tardy. And still more for “Do you have a tie?” were light brown with white soles. not being prepared for class, Walk into any high “But when I got to school I although those students are school classroom and, on most was told by a staff member that they mostly from the middle school. days, students’ clothes will look were not dress code,” he said. “I “I think I speak to stu- nearly the same as every other was so angry.” dents about dress code three or student of their gender. That is In another instance, senior four times a week,” Schreiber by design as Catholic schools are Maggie Wettengel said she was rep- said. “Is it demerit related? No, known for their uniforms. rimanded by a teacher on a grub day not necessarily.” To quote the SA Hand- because of the length of her shorts, Most students follow book, “Saint Albert Catholic although other girls were wearing the rules, Schweitzer said. Schools believe that performance similar clothing. Other students wear clothing in school is enhanced by setting “I think the regular dress that’s “on the edge of the dress high standards for personal ap- code is fine,” she said. “But the code.” Still others are defying pearance that reflect pride in grub day is kind of sketchy.” rules because they want to one’s self and in the school sys- Science teacher Devin Yeo- prove a point. tem. The uniform dress code is man said applying the dress code to “Some young people established to promote unity, what students are wearing in the don’t like to have guidelines on equity, self-discipline, and re- halls on any given day is “kind of their behavior,” he said. spect.” subjective.” While teachers and ad- “When everyone wears When it comes to shirts, ministrators try to enforce the the same style of clothing, every- boys are required to wear white or dress code rules fairly, one is equal,” said STEM direc- blue, with middle school students Schweitzer said it’s just like tor Jeremy Hulshizer. restricted to light blue. speeding down the interstate – “I think the purpose of “For some people, it might not everyone gets caught. But the dress code is that financially be a navy blue shirt or a bright blue that doesn’t mean students everyone is on the same playing shirt,” Yeoman said. “How do I po- should try to openly violate the field,” he said. lice dress code and teach?” dress code. Some students, however, Principal David Schweitzer “If you are speeding,” think the dress code is too strict said he shouldn’t have to.