Moms patrol school for immodesty

PLEASANT GROVE — Britney Spears would find herself in the principal's office if she attended Pleasant Grove High School.

Spears' belly-baring wardrobe would earn her a red slip from the "PTA Police" — volunteer mothers who monitor the hallways for girls with exposed midriffs and cleavage.

The long arm of mom also pulls aside boys in low-riding pants with too much backside on display.

The effort appears to be working. Most students heed the cover-up admonishments, according to the women involved with the dress-code enforcement program.

"Really, after the first five days, we no longer had reason to be here," said mom LeAnn Clementson.

Clementson urged the PTA to help the administration curb dress code violations after her son came home and complained about "sitting in physics and getting a lot of biology."

PTA President Christine Donaldson said four mothers take turns watching the halls and handing out violation slips. They also hand out treats to those who stay within the dress code.

"Overall the kids have been pretty supportive. Once in a while we get a couple of attitudes," Donaldson said. "That's mainly because that's where the styles are right now."

"We aren't seeing the 3 and 4 inches of belly anymore," said Judy Runolfson, the assistant principal who evaluates the apparel and either sends the student home to change or provides a T-shirt to wear instead.

Runolfson, who helps oversee the education of 1,564 students, said she usually lets the student do a self-evaluation on what is wrong with his or her outfit.

Students are allowed to go home and change or they can put on a jacket or other clothing selected from a half-dozen tops and pants she keeps on hand.

"When we first started this, some of the kids were pretty shocked," Runolfson said. "But we talk and I usually deal with them with humor and we part friends."

Runolfson said the dress code outlined by the Alpine School District is actually less strict than many others being enforced across the nation.

Not surprisingly, some students are upset at the dress code.

"I think we should be able to choose what we wear," said student Shawn Carson.

"It kinda makes me mad," said Lindsay Larsen, who was pulled aside for a too-low top. "I've worn this before a million times and sometimes it's hard to find things that are up high enough for me."

Clementson and Runolfson say students take care to dress more modestly.

Runolfson said other schools are looking at the program and considering instituting something similar. But some students don't think it's made much difference.

"It's just because it's winter and it's cold," said Glen Gagon. "I think there will be more problems with spring coming."

Will it work elsewhere?

"I'd be mad if they did that at our school," said Bethany Crabb, a Timpview High student.

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E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com