Pursuant to Governing Board Policy JICA entitled, “Student Dress”, a dress code that includes mandatory uniforms has been adopted for the District. Based upon careful and extensive research and community input, the Governing Board believes the dress code is in the best interests of the District’s students for the following reasons:

• Climate for learning.   Uniforms help students focus on learning at the school. They set the tone for the proper work attitude in the classroom, reducing behavior problems and improving performance.

• Campus Safety and Security.   Uniforms will help make the campus safer and more secure by eliminating the wearing of gang clothing, which can also be used to intimidate or conceal contraband. Moreover, outsiders or non-students can be easily recognized on campus.

• School Unity and Pride.   Attractive student uniforms promote school spirit, good self-image, and school unity. Just as an athletic team’s uniforms promote unity and spirit, so can school uniforms.

• Label Competition.   Uniforms eliminate “label competition” and the peer pressure to wear expensive clothing. They allow the students’ attention to be directed to learning at school.

• Economy.   Uniforms are economical. Comparisons show that uniforms cost significantly less than what most parents pay for unregulated school clothing. Durability, reusability, and the year-to-year consistency all cut costs for parents.

• Homogeneity and opportunities for self-expression.   Uniforms remove the status that clothing labels give to some children and serve to externally equalize all students. This provides impetus for students to find more productive outlets for expressions of individualism, such as with intelligence and creativity.

• Upholding of modesty standards.   Uniforms meet widely accepted standards of modesty, thus eliminating the conflicting interpretations of dress codes and the embarrassment that often is associated with “violations” of dress codes.

• Simplification of dressing.   Parents cite simplifications of selection as an important advance, even though several selections are available within the uniforms, each of which meets the standards of the school and approval in the home. Parents of students attending schools with uniform programs report that they have saved hundreds of dollars and eliminated the morning tug-of-war with children over what to wear.

No students will be denied an education for inability to afford a uniform. In situations of economic need, the District will work with parents and students to resolve any family’s financial inability to purchase a student uniform.

For students who do not wish to follow the dress code, the District will provide information on alternative enrollment in a neighboring District. Transportation for such students will not be provided by the district.

All students in kindergarten through eighth grade who attend the District schools are expected to dress in the proper school attire. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure compliance with the dress code. All students who attend the district must dress in accordance with this dress code. Students not dressed in accordance with the District’s dress code as of this date will be offered use of standard school clothing for the day, if available, from the Nurse’s Office and their parents will be contacted. Students who repeatedly fail to dress in accordance with the dress code may be subject to disciplinary actions as set forth in the District policy manual. Students who refuse to dress in accordance with the dress code may be assigned to another school outside the District, in accordance with the administrative placement procedures set forth in the District policy manual.

For boys:

• All ash gray or hunter green shirts with a collar. No logos on the shirt. This may include, but not be limited to, a “polo” shirt and dress shirt.

• Solid navy blue slacks or shorts. No logos on pants. No blue jeans or blue-jean shorts. No sweatpants are allowed at school.

For girls:

• All ash gray or hunter green shirts with a collar. No logos on the top. This may include, but not limited to, a blouse and “polo” shirt. Mock turtlenecks are also permitted.

• Solid navy blue slacks, shorts, skorts, skirts or jumpers. No blue jeans or blue-jean shorts. No sweatpants are allowed at school.

For Boys and Girls:

• Baggy or oversized clothing is not acceptable and thus is prohibited at school. Clothing may not be more than one size too large, to allow for one year’s growth. No sagging of clothes is allowed.

• Belts (if worn) must be black or navy blue, and may not be more than one size larger than the waist. Belts must be worn at the waist.

• Shirts and blouses must be worn tucked in at all times.

• No short shorts, short skirts, or short jumpers are allowed at school.

• No Spandex or similarly tight–fitting clothing.

• No undergarments may show. Girls may wear shorts under their skirts, provided they do not show.

• No headgear is permitted. Hats may be allowed only on special occasion days as determined by the principal.

• For safety reasons, students are encouraged to wear covered shoes. Thongs, slippers or bare feet are not acceptable.

• Any color socks may be worn. Full–length tights and knee high socks - tights are acceptable for girls.

• Any buttons, jewelry, or other accessories that contain vulgar, lewd, obscene, or plainly offensive messages or that may lead to substantial interference with school activities, including accessories that advocate the use of alcohol or drugs and accessories that make reference to or identify gangs, are not allowed on school campus.