Parents are upset after a school-wide broadcast by Palo Verde High School administration in Nevada.
In the video given to Las Vegas-based KTNV, a female faculty member says, "We don't want to show skin ladies. We want the boys to respect us."
High schoolers heard this message Friday morning. The reaction is immediate. When the woman says "We want the boys to respect us," you can hear a loud gasp from the students who are watching.
The school's principal sent a note to parents quickly after the announcement. He said the school was trying to deal with dress code issues. He apologized because the message "may have come across as sexist."
Some parents don't think the apology went far enough.
"I gasped myself, but when I went back and watched it, then I was like... even the kids know, teenagers aren't stupid," said Hannah Brook, a parent.
Some parents and students said it's the girls who are more often singled out for violating the school's dress code. In their eyes, these remarks are just a symptom of a bigger problem.
"I honestly don't know. I don't know if they were trying to be funny. I honestly could not tell you, but I think it shines a light on a much bigger problem," said Brook.
Some parents hope the school will have a conversation about why this statement upsets them.
Below you'll find the statement released by Palo Verde High School after parents voiced their complaints.
Parents and Students,
This is Mr. Sweikert, Principal of Palo Verde High School. It was brought to my attention that an announcement went out Friday morning in an attempt to address some of the dress code issues that we have been seeing. Within that message, it appears that it may have come across as sexist.
While I am confident that it was not intended to come across that way, I do want to apologize for the message that was given. Palo Verde High School is committed to providing an atmosphere conducive to safety as well as a positive learning environment. Therefore, will be enforcing the CCSD dress code that was adopted by the board of trustees. This can be found on our website within the student handbook.
Thank you for supporting us in this endeavor.
