In August 2017, Tony Alarcon’s phone rang unexpectedly.
Like many parents, he thought it might be a telemarketer. But this time, he answered the call.
Hearing from the school can be nerve-wracking for any parent. Tony immediately started worrying—was his daughter, Demetra, okay? Had something happened?
What he found out left him surprised.
It was a hot summer day in Northern California, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees. Tony had dropped off his 13-year-old daughter, Demetra, at school that morning. She wore a blue romper to stay cool in the heat, and neither of them thought the outfit would cause any issues.
Demetra, a student at Raymond J. Fisher Middle School in Los Gatos, California, had simply dressed for the weather.
Not everyone agreed with Demetra’s outfit. A teacher at her school said her romper was “too distracting” for the boys.
When the teacher told Demetra that her outfit was too short, her dad, Tony, rushed back to the school with a change of clothes—jean shorts and a tank top. But the school said those clothes were also inappropriate.
Tony was shocked. He asked Demetra to bend over and touch her toes in front of the school administrator. “Nothing is hanging out. There’s nothing inappropriate. I don’t understand this dress code rule,” he told TODAY.
Still, the school said her clothes were “distracting.” Since it was 90 degrees outside, Tony had no choice but to go to his car and grab a pair of leggings for Demetra to wear.
Demetra felt embarrassed.
Tony expressed his frustration, saying, “She’s just a kid. She’s only 13. She’s not trying to be a sex symbol. She just wants to be comfortable and attend class, but we’re not giving her that chance.”
This wasn’t the first time Demetra had been in trouble for her clothes. Just a week before, she was called out for a visible bra strap. “When I got dress coded last week, they said my bra strap was showing,” Demetra told the *San Jose Mercury News*. “Like, I’m wearing a bra—what’s the big deal?”
Tony, a successful investment advisor and father of two, didn’t let it go. Angry at what he saw as an unfair rule that mostly targeted girls, he took his complaint to social media. Parents from all over the country showed their support, agreeing that the school’s dress code was outdated and unfair to girls.
“Demetra’s not the only one. If you sit in the school parking lot, you’ll see that,” Tony said. “Lots of girls just want to be comfortable, but they feel forced to wear leggings even when it’s 100 degrees outside.”
Tony believed that parents, not schools, should decide if their children’s clothes are appropriate. He was also worried about how being told their clothing is a “distraction” to boys could affect young girls emotionally in the long run.
The story quickly got attention from the media, with major news outlets reporting on Tony’s efforts to change the dress code. While the school didn’t speak on camera, they did release a statement:
“The Los Gatos Union School District believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment,” the district said. “Students are expected to wear clothes that reflect the core values of our learning community.”
Tony’s efforts made an impact. His push for change led the Los Gatos Union School District to reevaluate its dress code to make it fairer and less strict for all students.
Lisa Fraser, the school’s principal, explained that the dress code rules, called “Fashion Faux Pas,” apply to both girls and boys. Some of the rules include no hats or hoods indoors, no visible underwear, no inappropriate logos or words, and shorts must have at least 4-inch inseams.
“There has always been a dress code,” Fraser told a newspaper. “These are basic rules for appropriate behavior. I can set guidelines for the school, but I want them to reflect the community’s values.”
In the end, Tony Alarcon’s persistence started an important discussion about how school dress codes affect young girls — showing that one parent’s voice can truly make a difference.
What do you think about the school’s dress code? Have you or your children faced a similar situation? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
Keanu Reeves reveals serious injury he suffered recently while filming latest movie….
Among the most adored stars of his generation is Keanu Reeves. Maybe nobody who has ever met him would say anything negative about him. Thus, many were worried when the well-liked actor disclosed something bad that had happened to him.
To learn more, continue reading.
The 59-year-old actor talked about how he suffered a broken kneecap during production.Renowned for his action-packed career that includes hits like The Matrix and the John Wick series, Reeves disclosed how something relatively harmless killed him.
Colbert inquired of Reeves, “What took place? How did they get to you?
In a lighthearted yet tough man voice, the actor retorted, “No one got to me,” then added, “Accident got to me.”
“Did you jump from one building to another? Were you rolling over sharp objects like razor blades? How did you spend the time? Stephen enquired more.
“No, Stephen, I was entering a room that served as the dressing room. I’ll tell you right away,” Keanu said.
Keanu revealed that it occurred during the filming of a segment with Aziz Ansari and Seth Rogen for the upcoming comedy Good Fortune. Keanu was having fun in the frigid plunge that the three of them were in. He began performing the “cold shuffle” in a room with protected carpeting after they were done. Sadly, while he was doing so, his foot got caught in a pocket.
Keanu got up to stroll in front of Stephen’s desk and illustrate what had happened by demonstrating the weakness in his knee. “I also spiked.” Like, spiked,” he murmured, imitating his own experience. “Just rammed it into the earth.”
“My kneecap, or patella, broke like a chipped potato. But I was unaware of that. However, once my knee burst, Keanu continued.
Keanu joked, “Comedy is hard, man.”
Stephen reiterated, “Aziz and Rogen were not in an action movie.”
No, Keanu said, “It was comedy.”
“Greetings from my life,” Stephen said.
In January of this year, Keanu was seen filming with an ice pack applied to his knee while using crutches.
In addition to starring, Good Fortune marks Aziz Ansari’s directing debut. Alongside Sandra Oh and Keke Palmer, the actor co-wrote and co-produced the film.
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