IPS dress code starts Tuesday
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Cat Andersen/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - Tomorrow may not be the first day of the school year, but it will be a first for many students.
Tuesday is the first day that Indianapolis Public Schools will be enforcing its new dress code. Any IPS high school student who fails to follow the new code will be left at the bus stop, according to the district's policy.
"Left to their own devices, I have seen them walk in pretty appalling," said parent Mary Johnson. "A lot of the girls are dressed with very risque outfits, and the boys, they don't seem to have a lot of limitation on where exactly their waistband was."
Most parents are grateful for the policy.
"Probably eliminate some of the jealousies because some have more money than others, so I think it's a good idea," parent Pam Chelf said.
However, some students feel the uniform policy is too restricting.
"I think if uniforms looked better than just like a white polo and a skirt, people might actually want to wear them a bit more," former student Katie Epps said.
In the end, it means a big boost for retailers.
"We're expecting a big show for today," said Meijer's Renee Isenbarger.
Meijer employees are prepping for the second wave of the back to school rush, stocking up on their French Toast clothing line, the label that has been school-approved.
"French Toast is a really popular brand for the school districts that they've come up with so everybody stays in uniform within the guidelines of their school," Isenbarger said.
That's why they're expecting a last-minute scramble for the clothing racks.
"A lot of the stores have sold out of the French Toast and primarily most schools are going to the school uniforms," she added.
Other vendors offering clothing lines that meet the new IPS guidelines include A.J. Wright, Body Gear, Davis Apparel, Family Dollar, My Friend's Closet Resale Shop, Park Avenue Fashions, Schoolbelles, Shoe Carnival, Wal-Mart, and Wild Child Children's Store.
