Texas School Bans All Black Clothing, Citing Concerns For Student Wellbeing

An El Paso middle school sparked debate after administrators issued a ban on all black clothing in a letter to families. The letter cited concerns that all-black clothing is often linked to depression and other mental health issues.

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Charles Middle School faced intense criticism from parents and the community after Principal Nick DeSantis issued the letter. The letter claims that students are allowed to wear black items, such as shorts for the gym or black clothing on free dress days, but wearing an all-black outfit is now against the school’s dress code. According to KTUL , Normal De La Rosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, explained that the policy change was due to observations by teachers who noticed that students who usually wear colorful clothing began wearing black entirely when experiencing stress or depression.

Many parents voiced their disagreement online and stated that clothing color does not reflect a person’s mental state. One parent said, “Wearing black is not a mental health issue; it’s a way of life.” Another parent stated that changing clothing color does not alter a student’s emotional or psychological state. In response to the backlash, the El Paso School District issued a statement explaining the reasoning behind the policy. They claim that the updated policy is intended to promote student well-being and enhance school pride.

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“The dress code changes were a response to concerns and recommendations brought forward by the stakeholders of Charles Middle School. The school appreciates the community’s feedback and collaboration in making these changes.”

The policy was developed and approved by the Campus Improvement Team, which includes parents, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders. The district emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration and community feedback.