JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Stanton students launched a Twitter protest against school administrators after prom dress code signs were posted in the school.
The posters showed a modest prom dress and reads, "Going to Stanton prom? Yes, you are. Good girl." Other signs showed dresses that violated dress code and said, "Going to Stanton prom? No, you're not."
Recommended Videos
Students took issue with the term "good girl," speaking out against the school on Twitter, Instagram, other social media, and even on their clothes worn to school Tuesday.
Duval County Public Schools released a statement Tuesday about the sign:
The display of prom dress photos pertaining to recommended attire at Stanton College Preparatory School is not an approved policy by the school or Duval County Public Schools. The displayed images were immediately removed by school leadership on Monday. Both students and staff have been informed this was not acceptable or appropriate guidance for prom dress attire."
On Tuesday, Stanton's principal apologized to the students during the morning announcements:
Please do accept my apology for this poor delivery of information. Our intent is to make sure that Prom is enjoyable and memorable. We would never turn students away from Prom."
Christian Mortimer, a Stanton senior, is one of many who spoke out Twitter.
"We were angry that they were talking about women in this way and that they were perpetuating this stance that it's women's fault that they are sexually objectified from their clothing and stuff like that," Morimer said.
Cassidy Altman, a junior at Stanton, left from school Tuesday to shop for her prom dress. She saw the signs describing girls who wear modest dresses as "good girls" and showing photos of dresses with low necklines or bare midriffs as examples of what not to wear to prom.
"I thought they were kind of sexist, almost," Altman said. "Prom dresses are a lot of money, and there are certain styles that are out right now, so most of the styles are the midriff and low-cut."
Just to be safe, Altman planned to follow dress code.
"I don't want to get in trouble and be told to go home just because my sleeves aren't long enough or because it's too showy," Altman said.
Duval County schools' spokeswoman clarified that the district does have a dress code in the student code of conduct, but that no student would be turned away from prom for immodest clothing.