Yates Elementary School
Uniform Dress Code Policies and Procedures
Yates Elementary School has adopted a policy providing for a uniform dress code pertaining to all students in grades kindergarten through five. The school improvement team has worked diligently to provide the following procedures for implementation.
Research
In the past, student surveys have indicated a troubling trend. Students feel other students do not respect them. Forty-five percent of the students indicated a continuation of this trend. Student disrespect often emerges into class disruptions, lowering of students self esteem, and students not meeting their academic potential. We all have a need to belong and a right to be respected. Every child has the right to learn and every teacher has the right to be able to teach. When these rights are not valued, learning suffers. Research from two large school districts indicates that a uniform dress code could change this trend. Results of the research imply that a uniform dress code:
*focuses the student on the learning process
*provides a sense of pride and belonging
*emphasizes education, not fashion
*sets a tone of school family and school spirit
*saves time and money in buying school clothes
Statement of Policy
All students in kindergarten through grade five at Yates Elementary School will follow a uniform dress code, within the parameters set forth in this document.
Effective Date
This policy will continue through the 2006-2007 school year. All students are expected to comply with the policy.
Basic Uniform Clothing
The basic uniform clothing for boys and girls will consist of:
· a white, navy, or burgundy sleeved shirt or blouse with collar
· navy or khaki long pants, skirt, skort, long shorts, or jumper
· shoes may be student choice but must conform to the existing board policy
In addition to the shirts and blouses stated, students are permitted to wear a school sponsored T-shirt on Fridays with uniform shorts, pants, skirt, skort or jumper.
Financial Hardship
No student shall be denied attendance at school nor otherwise penalized for failure to wear clothing that complies with the uniform dress code if such failure is due to financial hardship. An application procedure has been established to identify and assist families in need. These applications may be obtained in the school office.
New Students
Students entering Yates during the school year will be granted a grace period of two weeks (ten school days) before being required to comply with the uniform dress code.
Exceptions
Exceptions to the dress code shall be permitted when:
· a student wears a uniform of a nationally recognized youth organization, such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, on regular meeting days.
· A student wears a costume or special clothing necessary for a school play or other school-sponsored activity as permitted by the principal.
· The wearing of clothing in compliance with the uniform dress code violates a students' sincerely held religious belief.
· A student's parent or guardian has secured an exemption from the uniform dress code by following the procedure set forth in the next section.
Exemptions and Procedures
A student's parent may apply for her/his child or children to be exempt from the uniform dress code by using the following procedure
· A request must be made by the parent for an Application for Exemption from the Uniform Dress Code, which must be obtained from the school principal.
· The Application must be completed in its entirety and submitted to the school principal.
· The principal or principal's designees will meet with the parent to discuss the uniform dress code and the nature of the objections to it, and to ensure that the parent understands the reasons for and the goals of the uniform dress code, to verify the accuracy of the information in the application, and to prevent fraud or misrepresentation.
· The principal and/or designees will determine the validity of the request. An objection to the dress code merely because the student does not like the uniform without any other reason to support such opposition will not be deemed a valid reason.
· The final decision as to whether the requested exemption should be granted will be left to the discretion of the principal.
Information Dissemination
It is the responsibility of the school staff and School Improvement Team to adequately communicate to parents information regarding the uniform dress code, including type and colors of garments, cost and availability of garments, availability of financial support and the procedures for applying for assistance and methods to facilitate recycling of uniform garments within the school community.
The means by which this information is communicated includes the following:
· DRESS CODE BROCHURE
· SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS
· PERSONAL TELEPHONE CALLS
· REGISTRATION MATERIALS
· PTA MEETINGS AND NEWSLETTERS
· FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PACKETS
Compliance Measures
Since the intent of the policy is not to inhibit or prohibit any student who is not following the uniform dress code from receiving the education to which he/she is entitled, no student shall be suspended from class or from school, expelled from school, or receive a lowered academic grade as a result of not complying with the policy.
The school will use positive reinforcement measures to encourage full compliance with the uniform policy and will communicate with parents so that expectations rationale and benefits are fully understood by the student and his/her family.
In the event that a student does not comply with the uniform dress code, the parent will receive a telephone call and/or letter. If necessary, a conference with the parent will be held to solicit parental cooperation and support.
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