Student Outlook -- Lea Alfi

“Pajamas and bedroom slippers are not appropriate attire for school,”

sounded an announcement from the Costa Mesa High School administration

over the public announcement system.

The announcement was met with the complementary student declaration of

Pajama Day on Nov. 28 (two days later). And as students rambled into

school in clothes of comfort, I decided to follow suit (literally), and

discovered the most practical clothing ever.

The ease and calm with which I navigated the halls, the ultimate

willingness to participate in class, sprung from the comfort that

transcended wooden seats and winter cold. I confess: I love the

practicality of (appropriate) sleepwear.

Slippers were singled out because of safety issues, namely slipping

down flights of stairs. To this I answer, what about the hundreds

(literally) of girls and boys that wear platforms and/or flip-flops

without consequence. Surely there exists more traction in a slipper lined

with synthetic fur than a foam-flop.

I cannot understand why pajamas were deemed inappropriate (yes, at the

discretion of the administration as warned in the student handbook, but

without a staff vote).

Costa Mesa High teacher Allen Harrison said “I’ve worn sweats to

college because they’re comfortable. I see something wrong with pajamas

if they’re too provocative for high school. But the flannel type? No

worries.”

Pajamas are not gang-related, cover more of both girls and boys than

typical teenage clothing, and are not offensive or provocative. On the

Nov. 27, I noted fluffy sheep, plaid, stars and clouds on pajamas. Also,

that same day, I noted questionable slogans and pictorials on “normal”

clothing. Moreover, sleepwear is not drastically different from, but

drastically similar to, warmups that athletes wear during their seasons.

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District correctly contends that

“appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning

environment.”

Comfort is surely the first barrier to learning and, as high school is

meant to prepare us for learning in a college environment, we should take

a cue from college campuses around the nation.

During an interview with a Harvard alumnus (Now, if we can’t trust

some of the world’s most brilliant students, who can we trust?) weeks

ago, I specifically asked if students typically wore sweats or pajamas.

And the answer? “Of course, we all went to GAP to buy our sweats because

back then (1985), that was their primary merchandise. Plus, it was

comfortable and didn’t make us late in the morning.”

And 15 years later, such clothing is still desired by students. It’s

not a fad like Gecko pants or Vanilla Ice, it’s quality clothing, classic

clothing, that contributes to punctuality.

“Now, I don’t see how wearing your pajamas or slippers to school could

do any harm. Do administrators think it’s gang related? Silly old

people,” said Jeff Collett, a Costa Mesa High senior.

Students and adults alike tend to agree.

* LEA ALFI is a senior at Costa Mesa High School where she is

editor-in-chief of the Hitching Post. Her columns will appear on an

occasional basis in the Community Forum section.