Skimpy outfits prompt middle school to seek parents' help

ANDOVER -- Administrators at West Middle School are asking parents to more closely monitor their children's clothing at school after a group of girls wore what the principal thought were inappropriate outfits on Valentine's Day.

The girls wore matching clothes that included short denim skirts, and one girl's skirt was so short that you could tell what color underwear she was wearing, the principal, Denise Holmes, said.

The problem is not just with girls. The waistbands on boys' pants have dropped as hemlines on girls' skirts have risen, and the Valentine's Day incident was the last straw, Holmes said.

Holmes sent an e-mail to parents telling them that students should not wear miniskirts, low-riding pants, and other inappropriate clothing to school.

''We don't want to be the 'fashion police,' " she wrote. ''Nor do we want to start 'clothing wars' with kids or with their parents. We just want to be sure that we have a positive school environment."

She encouraged firm limits on clothing. She said she received one negative response from a parent.