Rye Middle School Banning Cell Phones and Revealing Clothing After “Sexting” Incident

An incident involving a revealing web cam photo of a Rye Middle School student is causing the school to strengthen its cell phone policy and dress code, including prohibiting students from carrying their phones during school hours and ensuring that young girls don't wear "revealing neck lines," according to a letter the school's principal sent parents Friday.

Rye Middle School Principal Ann Edwards notified parents that since September 11, 2001 students have been allowed to bring cell phones in the building for emergency use. Edwards said students were allowed to carry the phones as long as they were turned off. However, she said the school "has not insisted that students keep the phones in their lockers."

Edwards said many students have abused the use of their cell phones and have sent texts to each other and even their parents during the school day. She said on Monday the school will force students to keep cell phones in their lockers and students will not be allowed to use them in the building. The school will confiscate cell phones if students are caught using them.

In the letter, which Rye Patch obtained Friday, Edwards recommended that parents not allow their children to have cell phones with a camera.

"I would also encourage you to take advantage of the parental controls offered by your telephone and internet service providers," she said.

Edwards also said the school would be amending its dress code, most of which appeared to be targeted at young girls in the school.

"Students have generally shown good judgment, but there are a few who continue to violate it, especially girls who wear revealing neck lines," Edwards said. "Parents of repeat offenders will be notified. Most parents are cooperative and work with the school; however, there is a minority who challenge the enforcement of the dress code especially with regard to low tops on their daughters."

Edwards outlined 11 rules that students must follow to abide by the school's dress code. She placed items number six and nine in bold, both of which specifically address female attire. The amended policy is as followed:

1. Any dress or appearance which is vulgar, lewd, obscene or exposes to sight the private parts of the body.

2. Any dress or appearance which encourages or advocates the use of illegal drugs, alcohol and/or tobacco.

3. Any dress or appearance which advocates discrimination or denigrates others based upon race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

4. Any dress or appearance which advocates or encourages illegal or violent activities.

5. The wearing of hats as they are a sign of disrespect, unless worn for religious or medical reasons.

6. Extremely brief garments such as tube tops, net tops, halter tops, cropped tops, tank tops, tops with spaghetti straps, plunging necklines and see-through garments.

7. Clothing that exposes the midriff section of the torso.

8. The wearing of clothing in such a way as to allow underwear to be exposed.

9. Pants or skirts shorter than 4 " above the knee.

10. Any dress or appearance which is unsafe, inappropriate or constitutes a disruption to the educational process.

11.  Footwear that is a safety hazard.  Footwear is to be worn at all times.

Edwards said any students who don't follow the dress code will be asked to change and will serve detention.

Edwards' letter was sent two days after Rye Patch wrote a story that said a half-naked photo of a 12-year-old student was being spread throughout Rye Middle and High School, as well as schools in neighboring areas.

The photo emerged in September, after the girl revealed both her breasts on a web cam to a 13-year-old boy on whom she had a crush. School officials told Rye Patch Thursday that they handled the incident in the fall and that "it went away," but Rye Patch learned Wednesday that the photo was still being distributed as recently as this weekend. Rye Police are now investigating the incident.

Rye Middle School officials were unreachable for comment Friday. Rye Patch will update this story as soon as more details become available.