Homecoming week is celebrated yearly at Sierra Pacific High School and is meant to be a time for students to come together and celebrate their school spirit. But, when administrators decided to remove the highly anticipated Pajama Day, it began to raise the important question: Why was this a dress code violation?
Pajama pants are a staple for comfort and even a form of self-expression and should not be banned in schools. The dress code restricts clothing that might be offensive, gang-related or disruptive which pajama pants are not.
Admin’s decision to remove pajama day was completely unnecessary and was a missed opportunity to allow a safer environment where students can feel more at ease and relaxed.
The official reason for excluding pajama day from the list of dress-up days for homecoming week was that it violated the school dress code, which prohibits sleep/loungewear.
While it is important to maintain a certain level of professionalism surrounding an educational setting, pajama day is not about coming to school in actual sleepwear. The day is meant to create a fun atmosphere for students to enjoy even while they are learning.
Pajama pants have become widely mainstream and are worn much more casually than before. They are comfortable, practical and in some cases, are just as if not more appropriate than a pair of sweatpants, joggers or leggings.
Pajama Day is one of the few days where students can express themselves in a more relaxed, stress-free way. It’s a nice break from having to sit in class for eight hours a day in more uncomfortable clothing, which many students find restricting.
For many, the day becomes a bonding experience with friends to laugh about silly patterned pants and show off their individuality and their personalities. Banning it sends the wrong message that a student’s choices for comfort and expression are much less important than the dress code enforced by superiors.
It’s also important to consider the context of pajamas in the modern day. The idea that pajamas are unprofessional and lazy is completely outdated. Society embraces comfort, and many young people wear pajama pants daily, adding a sense of relief and ease throughout the day.
Some students might even argue that wearing pajamas shows a sense of school pride. After all, it is a dress-up day and showing participation is required. Dress-up days easily become the most anticipated events of the week.