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Implementation of a new dress code at McKeesport Area School District has mostly gone smoothly, students told the school board last week.

"I thought that people would wear the wrong clothes out of defiance, or there would be a debate over interpretation of things like, 'below the knee,'" said high school senior Theresa Kulasa of Coulter, a member of the dress code committee. "The first day, I was really skeptical about how it was going to go. But there was a calmness. Everyone just did what they had to do."

About 50 students at the high school were out of compliance on the first day, she said. By the end of the second week, the number of apparent infractions had dropped to 10. There are about 1,100 students at the high school.

(MORE DETAILS of the new MASD dress code: Grades K-6 | Grades 7-12 | Quick facts)

School officials said the dress code is designed to enhance the image of students and the district and prevent classroom disruptions and distractions.

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Kulasa noted that district residents who have spoken to the Daily News about the change are almost uniformly positive. Other members of the high school dress code committee include Groichon Field and Teje Hairston of the city and Hannah Smart of White Oak.

"I think I can speak for all of the board when I say the feedback from students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive," said Board President Patricia Maksin, adding that credit for the drama-free transition goes to "the combined effort of students and staff working together."

School Director Trisha Gadson said she's been "quite impressed" with the improvement in students' appearance. "I've been noticing how well-dressed our students look as they go to the bus stops in the morning," she said.

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Under the new dress code, jeans and sweatshirts are prohibited at the high school. Hooded tops may be worn to school as outerwear, but must be placed in lockers upon arrival.

Clothing that's too loose --- such as oversized shirts that drape at or below the knee --- is banned, as are items judged "too tight." Also banned are "do-rags" and baseball caps. Clothes that expose underwear or show the waist, cleavage or belly button are likewise prohibited.

Students are not permitted to wear leggings or pajama bottoms as pants. Yoga pants and sweatpants are also banned from classrooms.

Exceptions on some dress code items may be permitted on religious or medical grounds if the student's family makes a request in writing.

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With the dress code now up and running, Kulasa and other members of the committee would like the board to authorize "dress down" days to raise money for charity.

"They don't want jeans, they want to wear sweats," Kulasa said. "Everyone wants to wear sweats."

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