In just under a month, students across Monroe County will head back to school. This year, a few significant changes to the dress code for middle and high schoolers in the county schools strive to make the back-to-school shopping just a little easier for parents.

"It's meant to be a help, not a hindrance," said Mike Wiggins, the supervisor of instruction for grades 9-12 for the Monroe County School System.

The biggest change for the 2012-2013 dress code is no holes. All apparel must be the appropriate length (knee length for skirts and dresses) sized with no holes and free from rips, tears or cuts.

"They can't even be distressed or frayed," said Wiggins. "Our principals felt like holes were the biggest issue and the main thing they wanted to eliminate."

Not even wearing colored leggings underneath the "holey jeans" will be up to dress code, as the specific item is based on the pants alone.

But, the rumors are not true about jeans not be allowed.

"Jeans are OK," said Wiggins, noting he had received phone calls from parents who had heard rumors only khaki pants would be allowed.

In addition, students will be allowed to carry normal backpacks this year, instead of trying to find clear or mesh bags.

"The principals decided it was a burden on the parents trying to find mesh or clear backpacks," said Wiggins. "The clear and mesh ones weren't durable and making it through the entire year. They just wouldn't hold up. As long as it has no symbols, a normal backpack will be acceptable this year."

A change to the dress code addressing shirts can be confusing for some parents, however. This year, only school logos, manufacturer logos, solid or print shirts are permitted.

"It can have a Nike swish on it, for example, or it can be a plain shirt. School sponsored shirts, anything that is manufactured in bulk or sports logos (University of Tennessee, for example) are OK," said Wiggins.

If a student, however, designs a shirt it has to be approved by the administrator. As an example, if a students uses the school mascot on a T-shirt, but designs it to include their name and more, it has to be approved. If it is a shirt purchased through the school, it is acceptable. Air-brushed shirts with writing on them also would need to be approved.

"Anything that isn't manufactured in bulk will have to be looked at individually," said Wiggins.

As always, cargo pants will not be allowed and this year, neither will pajama attire.

Wiggins believes the new dress code may actually make school shopping easier and cheaper for parents.

"It's meant to be plainer so it may actually reduce the cost of clothing shopping, as you often pay more for items that appear distressed," he said.

Sweetwater City schools have maintained their dress code from last year.

"We did not make any changes to our dress code this year," said Sweetwater City Director of Schools Melanie Miller. "We are appointing a committee, however, to gather information and discuss possible changes for the following school year."

Wiggins feels the importance of a dress code is so that both students and the schools do not lose sight of the importance of an education.

"We don't want to forget what the purpose of school is," he said. "Our goal is to educate our students. We're not trying to make something that is a burden on the parents. We want the dress code to be something that is easy to do, where everyone has the opportunity to come and learn, and for everyone to have a good school year."

jessica.cross@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101