Hootchy Momma!
Posted on 07/30/2002 7:02:25 AM PDT by Cagey
Want to wear those snazzy pajamas to school? Think again, say Hillsborough County school officials.
By MELANIE AVE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 30, 2002
The days of just rolling out of bed and rolling into class are coming to an end.
Pajamas, the preferred attire of some sleepy and study-weary students, are no longer allowed in Hillsborough County schools.
"I think as long as you don't look like a hootchy mama, you should be able to wear whatever," said Nevena Novakovic, 17, a junior at Robinson High School in Tampa.
The opening of Tampa Bay area schools this year will bring a variety of changes in the way students are supposed to look and act. Skate shoes, or athletic shoes with skates built inside, are strictly forbidden. Cell phones, on the other hand, are okay if turned off during school.
In Pinellas, the prohibition on "disruptive" hairstyles and colors has been dropped. And while pajamas are not specifically banned, they are not allowed.
"Pajamas are absolutely not acceptable, but at this point our principals didn't feel we needed to specify that," said Nancy Zambito, director of school operations.
In Hillsborough, the forbidden list includes flip-flop shoes, tube tops, miniskirts and clothes with sexual, violent or gang-related images. But the Hillsborough prohibition on pajamas is causing the greatest fuss.
"There's no need to wear pajamas to school," said James Ammirati, assistant principal at Stewart Middle School and a member of the student handbook revision committee that brought about the changes. "Pajamas are for at home."
Sleepwear is popular school attire during cold weather and on exam days, students say. Seniors often wear their bed clothes to school near the end of the school year as senioritis takes over.
"It's not inappropriate, just comfortable," said Nichole Clark, a Leto High School junior.
Some students said they believe the crackdown on pajamas will encourage the entire student body to look better and pay more attention to their appearance. Others called the new rule silly, since pajamas are typically just sloppy, not offensive.
Mallory Mooser, a 15-year-old Plant High student, said she doesn't think students should wear pajamas to school, but she's crossing her fingers that not all comfortable-looking clothing will be deemed out-of-line.
"You want to wear clothes you feel comfortable in,"t she said. "You don't want to get dressed up every day."
When asked whether she had ever worn pajamas to class, Mooser said: "No, I don't usually wear stuff I've slept in. But it is stuff I would wear to bed."
So what happens to students who stumble into school clad in their favorite jammies?
First-time offenders are required to call Mom and Dad and change clothes. The consequences for repeat offenders range from in-school detention to suspension.
-- Staff writer Monique Fields contributed to this report.
Hootchy Momma!
I could say Homeschoolers. Hahahaha
But, I have heard that this is a big thing now. It doesn't seem that long ago that girls were sent home for wearing skirts above their knees and boys for weaing pants "too tight".
Kramer: "Jerry! When I yell HOOTCHY MAMA, you turn on the hose."
 |
I think you may have answered your own question. |
The A$$man cometh.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.