One Pennsylvania high school has ruffled a lot of feathers over its policy requiring all prom dresses to be pre-approved, according to KARE-TV.
Delone Catholic High School, in Adams County, implemented the controversial policy this month to make sure students' dresses aren't "extremely short, have an extremely low cut front or back...or be inappropriately revealing- giving the illusion of nudity," according to the school's dress code.
Female students are asked to produce pictures of their dresses to administrators at the Catholic school for approval before the prom, scheduled for May 1.
But parents and students slammed the school for the "unrealistic" demands and for forcing them to dish out more money to make alterations. A group of parents already started a Change.org petition criticizing the school for announcing the policy too late and demanding an end to the undue pressure on their daughters.
"Many parents have purchased non-refundable prom gowns," reads the petition to Principal Dr. Maureen Thiec.
"Our children will not undergo scrutiny of prom gowns based on outdated, unrealistic expectations and rules implemented at such short notice."
Over 250 people have signed the petition as of Wednesday. But the principle said the parents and students were notified about the change over a month before prom, giving them plenty of time to find a dress or alter the ones they have, KARE-TV reported.
After the petition began, the school also released a statement reaffirming its position, making clear that nothing changed about the dress code itself.
"The only change this year is the requirement of young women to submit photos for review by prom moderators," reads the March 19 statement.
The policy "was a proactive approach to prevent students' embarrassment and disappointment of being denied entrance to prom due to code infractions."
