STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- On one of the hottest days of the year, Tottenville High School students were left steaming over a dress code crackdown Friday that forced at least 100 students -- most of them girls -- to either cover up, or wait in the hot school auditorium until a parent arrived with appropriate attire.

The dress code prohibits "tank tops, low-cut blouses, tubes/halter and midriff tops" as well as "short-shorts " and "mini-skirts," and mandates that "all shorts/skirts must be at relaxed hand-level" and also prohibits "visible undergarments."

According to students and angry parents, the school staff and administrators were pulling students from the hallways who they deemed were dressed inappropriately. Some of the girls were handed grey Tottenville athletic T-shirts or gym shorts to put on, before they could return to class. Others were forced to wait while a parent was called.

STUDENTS 'SWELTERING'

"It's not fair," complained sophomore Olivia Buonomo, who displayed the heavy grey T-shirt she was forced to wear, which she discarded at dismissal.

Her classmate, Tiffani Cropley, avoided being caught by carrying her bookbag in front of her as she walked to classes.

Freshman Gianna Savattiere said she wouldn't mind the dress code if the school was air-conditioned. "The whole building is sweltering today," she said.

PARENT CALLS IT 'OUTRAGEOUS'

Vincent Candellieri of Annadale, said he had to pick up his three daughters, Joanna, a senior; Christina, a junior, and Laura, a freshman, who are honor students -- after they were detained for wearing shorts.

"I can understand where they're coming from, but this is outrageous," he said, adding he is considering filing a class action lawsuit.

Linda Ferraro said her daughter, a sophomore, escaped punishment because she hid behind a friend. "If I wanted a dress code, I'd send her to a Catholic school, or let the school buy her a whole new wardrobe," she fumed.

Students also took to Twitter and Facebook to express their displeasure.

@AlyssaMariee99 but they can spend money putting a pointless banner outside the school lol #smart — alyssa (@alyssatorres16) September 5, 2014

Tottenville can tell me what to wear when they buy my clothes #Tottenville #tville — Nick Gitto (@gitto1999) September 5, 2014

DRESS CODE CRACKDOWN

"All clothing and accessories must not be disruptive to teaching and learning," the dress code reads. Other prohibited items include hooded sweatshirts and sweatpants, leggings and "skinny jeans" as well as headbands, hats, bandanas and sunglasses.

The move is part of an overall enforcement of existing school rules and discipline code by acting interim principal Joseph Scarmato, whose daughter is also a Tottenville student.

Scarmato unleashed parent anger by sending home a six-page "contract" spelling out rules and regulations. The document had to be signed by the student as well as a parent or guardian and returned to the school.

In it, Scarmato explains that the regulations are necessary to prepare students for college and the workforce.

Scarmuto did not return phone calls.

District high school superintendent Aimee Horowitz issued the following statement late Friday: "Some schools have uniform requirements governing student dress. In schools that don't, students have the right to determine their own dress except where such dress creates a distraction, is dangerous or interferes with the learning and teaching process."

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