Video: Lee Co. Teachers Dress in Denim For School Fundraiser

[syndicaster id=’5551743′]

SALTILLO, MISS. (WCBI) – Many workplaces and schools allow employees to dress casual on Fridays, but at Lee County schools, teachers are able to wear jeans on Tuesdays in January, if they pay up.

You can find Saltillo High School students wearing jeans almost every day of the week, but Tuesday is jean day for some teachers.

“We don’t normally wear blue jeans on Tuesdays,” said Counselor Susan Dillard.

Administrators relaxed the dress code, so teachers can help raise money for education.

“Here’s how it works; teachers who want to participate, pay $10 dollars. Then, every Tuesday this month, they can wear blue jeans to school.

“The money will go to Exceptional Progress in Education through Curriculum and Technology, or ExPECT. The organization raises money to support Lee County School District teachers and classroom improvements.”

Educators say the money has helped buy technology, such as iPads, that would not have been possible with the district’s budget.

“With the changing of curriculum, Common Core, we are incorporating new curriculum, more updated, more non fiction and with that comes more material and we’re able to write grants that go along with the books that go along with the curriculum we’ve written,” said Senior English Teacher Janice Fleming.

Suzanne Bingham’s classroom of juniors continue to see the impact new technology is making in the learning process.

“With the iPads we’re able to write online, we’re able to research within class, and we are able to utilize tools we wouldn’t have otherwise,” Bingham said.

“Teachers say it’s also nice to have a change of pace in their wardrobe, for a good cause,” Fleming said.Every teacher in the Lee County School District can participate in the voluntary program.