The pandemic caused many schools to relax their dress codes.

Now, Panther Valley administrators say that students are surprised that they have to go back to the pre-pandemic rules.

“I told them I will give them a voice, and bring their concerns to the school board,” said Patti Ebbert, high school principal.

On the first day of school Monday, Ebbert said there was an ‘ugly backlash’ when she announced that this year, students would be required to follow the dress code laid out in school board policies.

The policy as written requires students to wear casual dress pants and collared shirts. It also prohibits facial piercings.

“Piercings and sweats were the two items that caused a lot of distress,” she said.

Nose and lip piercings weren’t much of a concern in 2020-21 because students’ faces were covered with masks. And with the district requiring masks, they won’t be for the foreseeable future.

Ebbbert said that she wants students to feel like they are being heard and respected. The senior class adviser is making a list of their concerns, which she plans to bring to the school board.

She asked the school board to hold a policy meeting to look at the pre-pandemic dress code and see if changes can be made.

Some board members said that the dress code as written may no longer be needed.

“If you’re sending a child to the office, that’s something that’s taking your attention when there’s something more important. My feeling is I’m just glad that the kids are here,” said school board director Renee DeMelfi.

Director Keith Krapf said that even before the pandemic, there was a lot of confusion over what parts of the dress code are enforced.

Krapf said that some regulations are needed, but students shouldn’t worry about getting in trouble for wearing something that violates the dress code.

“They’re here to learn, that’s supposed to be number one. I hope that’s what we’re worried about, not nitpicking parts of the dress code,” Krapf said.