In August 2017, Tony Alarcon’s phone rang unexpectedly.
Like many parents, he thought it might be a telemarketer. But this time, he answered the call.
Hearing from the school can be nerve-wracking for any parent. Tony immediately started worrying—was his daughter, Demetra, okay? Had something happened?
What he found out left him surprised.
It was a hot summer day in Northern California, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees. Tony had dropped off his 13-year-old daughter, Demetra, at school that morning. She wore a blue romper to stay cool in the heat, and neither of them thought the outfit would cause any issues.
Demetra, a student at Raymond J. Fisher Middle School in Los Gatos, California, had simply dressed for the weather.
Not everyone agreed with Demetra’s outfit. A teacher at her school said her romper was “too distracting” for the boys.
When the teacher told Demetra that her outfit was too short, her dad, Tony, rushed back to the school with a change of clothes—jean shorts and a tank top. But the school said those clothes were also inappropriate.
Tony was shocked. He asked Demetra to bend over and touch her toes in front of the school administrator. “Nothing is hanging out. There’s nothing inappropriate. I don’t understand this dress code rule,” he told TODAY.
Still, the school said her clothes were “distracting.” Since it was 90 degrees outside, Tony had no choice but to go to his car and grab a pair of leggings for Demetra to wear.
Demetra felt embarrassed.
Tony expressed his frustration, saying, “She’s just a kid. She’s only 13. She’s not trying to be a sex symbol. She just wants to be comfortable and attend class, but we’re not giving her that chance.”
This wasn’t the first time Demetra had been in trouble for her clothes. Just a week before, she was called out for a visible bra strap. “When I got dress coded last week, they said my bra strap was showing,” Demetra told the *San Jose Mercury News*. “Like, I’m wearing a bra—what’s the big deal?”
Tony, a successful investment advisor and father of two, didn’t let it go. Angry at what he saw as an unfair rule that mostly targeted girls, he took his complaint to social media. Parents from all over the country showed their support, agreeing that the school’s dress code was outdated and unfair to girls.
“Demetra’s not the only one. If you sit in the school parking lot, you’ll see that,” Tony said. “Lots of girls just want to be comfortable, but they feel forced to wear leggings even when it’s 100 degrees outside.”
Tony believed that parents, not schools, should decide if their children’s clothes are appropriate. He was also worried about how being told their clothing is a “distraction” to boys could affect young girls emotionally in the long run.
The story quickly got attention from the media, with major news outlets reporting on Tony’s efforts to change the dress code. While the school didn’t speak on camera, they did release a statement:
“The Los Gatos Union School District believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment,” the district said. “Students are expected to wear clothes that reflect the core values of our learning community.”
Tony’s efforts made an impact. His push for change led the Los Gatos Union School District to reevaluate its dress code to make it fairer and less strict for all students.
Lisa Fraser, the school’s principal, explained that the dress code rules, called “Fashion Faux Pas,” apply to both girls and boys. Some of the rules include no hats or hoods indoors, no visible underwear, no inappropriate logos or words, and shorts must have at least 4-inch inseams.
“There has always been a dress code,” Fraser told a newspaper. “These are basic rules for appropriate behavior. I can set guidelines for the school, but I want them to reflect the community’s values.”
In the end, Tony Alarcon’s persistence started an important discussion about how school dress codes affect young girls — showing that one parent’s voice can truly make a difference.
What do you think about the school’s dress code? Have you or your children faced a similar situation? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
Catherine Zeta-Jones’ daughter is growing up fast, and she looks just like her famous mom
It can’t be easy growing up under the bright spotlight that comes with having two famous Hollywood actors for parents.
To put it mildly, Dylan Michael and Carys Zeta Douglas, the daughters of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, will probably never lack anything, even though there are undoubtedly worse places to be born.
The media has been keenly observing Dylan and Carys’s growth, with many speculating about whether they will emulate their well-known parents and achieve fame of their own.
At least it appears that we finally have a solution for Carys.
Zeta-Jones has been open about her expectations that her two children would try to follow her into the big screen.
“You want to look at them when they’re on stage,” the 49-year-old said in an interview with Hello! Magazine. They’re interested in the craft as well. My son wants to study theater for his bachelor’s degree. My daughter thought that being an actress would be a better career than being a pediatrician until she was five years old.
Since both of the kids wish to follow in their parents’ footsteps, a lot of people are interested in seeing how the two kids grow. For those who require further proof, the recent excitement around Carys—who has been receiving a lot of attention due to the fact that she is starting to resemble her mother more and more every day—is adequate.
When the teenage girl made her runway debut at New York Fashion Week the previous year, she generated a lot of attention.
She has been under the radar ever since, which makes sense considering that she is only 15 years old. But when she and her mother attended another fashion event this week, the radio quiet was broken.
Carys and Catherine stole the show at the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda women’s couture event held at the New York Metropolitan Opera House. When the mother and daughter showed up dressed same, they posed for multiple pictures that highlighted their similarity.
Like her mother, Carys is definitely becoming into a lovely woman. Moreover, according on all accounts, her disposition is equally benevolent!
Please share this post if you enjoy Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Leave a Reply