A Winnipeg school division says it's open to changing to its dress code policy after a grade eight student wrote a lengthy letter.
Fourteen-year old Sydney Bear wants to wear sleeveless tops to school, saying it's more comfortable than covering up.
This spring Bear was told she couldn’t wear her halter-style shirt at her middle school, John W. Gunn Middle School in Transcona.
She says there is a dress code double standard for girls and boys.
“One of the boys in my school, he wore a picture of a girl in lingerie on it and we're not allowed to wear a skin coloured bra strap,” said Bear.
Bear says teenagers sweat a lot, and stains are embarrassing.
It wasn't the first time she says she was unfairly spoken to about her attire in the classroom, so she decided to take on the rules.
With her mother's support Bear wrote a four-page letter to her area's school trustees. Tabitha Bear says the school should be more understanding.
"To bring her out of her class and out of part of her education over a tank top … it should be addressed differently, so I'm a little disappointed," she said.
The dress code policy set out by the River East Transcona School Division states students should dress in an appropriate manner for a learning and work environment.
The division says the dress code can vary from school to school, and takes into consideration the grade and age of the student - but is open to making changes.
"We have to make sure that everybody is treated fairly and equally and there is respect and dignity for all students and I do believe are schools are doing that but these are fluid and the conversation has to continue," said division superintendent Kelly Barkman.
The division's dress code prohibits students from wearing halter tops, spaghetti straps, see-through shirts, and items with offensive language or pictures.
Barkman said rules are in place for the benefit of all students.
Bear says the school told her the dress code will be enforced more fairly from now on.
"I don't want to disrespect my teacher by dressing how they think is inappropriate or anything like that but I want to stand up for what I believe in," said Bear.