Parents urged to speak out on WMS dress code proposal How many parents knew that the principal of Woodbridge Middle School, Mr. James Sullivan, was diligently working this past year on implementing a new standardized dress code policy for WMS? OnMarch 13,Mr. Sullivan quietly presented the first reading of his standardized dress code proposal to the Board of Education. On April 24, Mr. Sullivan gave the second reading to the Board of Education, who subsequently approved his proposal for WMS effective 2008/2009. How many WMS parents knew this was seriously being considered? On Åpril 29, the new dress code was posted on the Woodbridge School District Web site, yet no parents were notified regarding Mr. Sullivan's intent, nor were we notified as to the dates of the BOE meetings when this proposal was scheduled to be read. Why has Mr. Sullivan been so secretive about his proposal? Is it because there is no data available yet to support the goals listed in Mr. Sullivan's proposal? Per Mr. Sullivan, data regarding the outcome of Fords Middle School, which is the pilot school, having implemented a standardized dress code during the current school year, will not be available until the end of June. The only information that WMS parents were provided was in the November school newsletter. This newsletter stated, "Parents and guardians are asked to complete the Parent Standardized School Dress Code Survey. If the WMS community of parents and guardians, students, and faculty can reach a consensus on this subject, the standardized dress code would be implemented at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year." Per Mr. Sullivan, 18 parents are on the school committee regarding standardizing the dress code. Themajority of students, and two teachers, have signed a petition against the dress code.Howdo 18 parents and Mr. Sullivan constitute a consensus? WMS is a public school. Woodbridge parents and students should have a voice in all policy changes, especially changes that are going to cost us money. We were not adequately informed prior to the Board of Education decision. In the current state of the economy, who has extra money lying around to buy clothing that our children are going to change out of the minute they get home from school? How can a standardized dress code be approved for a Woodbridge public school without being implemented across the board for allWoodbridge public schools? By the way, there is already a "dress code" in place for WMS students. Why is the current dress code not sufficient? The next Board of Education meeting is May 15, 7 p.m. at Avenel Middle School. Parents, please come to the meeting to express your concerns and/or disproval of this new policy and the way it was secretly implemented. Richele Donelan Woodbridge