5511.01 - SCHOOL-BASED UNIFORM DRESS CODE POLICY

School Board of Charlotte County

Bylaws & Policies

5511.01 - SCHOOL-BASED UNIFORM DRESS CODE POLICY

The School Board believes that, when supported by individual school communities, a school-wide uniform dress code policy can improve the educational process for students. The Board recognizes that such a policy can improve the educational process for several reasons including the following:

	A.	Enhances the safety and welfare of the students;
	B.	Places students of varying socio-economic levels on an even footing reducing peer-pressure regarding clothing;
	C.	Minimizes clothing distractions;
	D.	Increases school pride, unity, and spirit;
	E.	Minimizes clothing costs.

Any school desiring to implement a uniform dress code policy shall submit to the Superintendent for approval the proposed uniform dress requirements that must meet the following criteria:

	A.	Must comply with all applicable provisions of the Code of Student Conduct;
	B.	Prohibits printing or logos on clothing, with the exception of those specific to the school (e.g., school t-shirts);
	C.	Prohibits clothing that is significantly larger than the student's body size.

After the Superintendent's approval, the principal and the School Advisory Committee shall provide families with a copy of the proposed policy and shall conduct a poll of families of students enrolled in all grades in the school except the current outgoing class to determine the support of the proposed policy. The principal must submit the voting results to the Superintendent. If the results show that at least two-thirds (2/3) of the families favor a uniform dress code policy, the Superintendent shall present the proposed policy to the Board for approval or disapproval.

Any right, duty, or obligation of the Superintendent under this policy may be assigned to another administrator in the sole discretion of the Superintendent.

As used in this policy, the term "families" shall include legal guardians of students.

Every proposed uniform dress code policy shall include the following required provisions:

	A.	Provision 1: Financial Hardship
		Students who, by reason of financial hardship, cannot comply with the policy will be provided with the required clothing or financial assistance to acquire such clothing. No student shall be subject to discipline for failure to wear proper attire because of financial hardship;
	B.	Provision 2: Exemptions
		A student may be exempt from all or part of the policy if wearing the required clothing violates a student's sincerely held religious belief or poses a health concern. A family must submit a request for exemption in writing to the principal, including the reason for the exemption. The principal may require a meeting with the family to discuss an accommodation of the religious or health concern. The principal may also require evidence of the concern such as a note from a clergyman or physician. If the principal denies an exemption or accommodation, the family may appeal the principal's decision to the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall make the final decision. If the exemption is denied, the student shall have the opportunity to transfer to a non-uniform school in the District with the family being responsible for transportation. Otherwise, the student shall be required to dress in accordance with the policy and any violation shall be subject to disciplinary actions described herein;
	C.	Provision 3: Transfers

		1.	First Year of Implementation
			Within the first thirty (30) days of the policy's initiation, a family may apply to have their child(ren) transferred to a non-uniform school in the District;
		2.	Subsequent Years of Implementation
			Within the first ten (10) days of a student's attendance, a family may apply to have their child(ren) transferred to a non-uniform school in the District;
		3.	In both cases, the application for transfer must be submitted to the principal. The family shall be responsible for transportation for the student to another school in the District. They may request that the student be transferred to a school of their choice provided the school can accommodate additional students, and further provided that the family transports the student;

	D.	Provision 4: Noncompliance
		Students not in compliance with the policy will be offered use of school-provided clothing for that day, and the family shall be notified that the student was not in proper dress. Students who repeatedly fail to dress in accordance with the policy shall be subject to disciplinary actions as set forth in Board policy and the Code of Student Conduct. No student shall be subject to out-of-school suspension or expulsion for failure to comply with the policy. In addition to these disciplinary actions, the Superintendent may reassign any student to a non-uniform school after repeated failure to dress in accordance with the policy. In such event, the family shall be responsible for transporting the student to a non-uniform school;
	E.	Provision 5: Special Clothing, Uniforms
		A student may wear a costume or special clothing necessary for participation in a school activity, play, or other school-sponsored program, as permitted by the principal. Uniforms of nationally recognized youth organizations, such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, may be worn on scheduled meeting days;
		The principal may declare non-uniform dress days at his/her discretion;
	F.	Provision 6: Accessories
		Students may wear buttons, armbands, or other accessories to exercise the right of freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment. However, all accessories must be in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct (i.e., buttons, jewelry, or other accessories that are dangerous or contain vulgar, lewd, obscene, or offensive messages, or interfere with school activities, as determined by the principal, are prohibited);
	G.	Provision 7: New Students
		All registration packets for new students shall include information pertaining to the policy. A grace period of ten (10) days shall be allowed for new students before s/he is obligated to comply with the policy.

Any approved school-wide uniform dress code policy shall expire at the end of the third full year following its implementation. However, the Board shall grant a school's request to extend the policy an additional three (3) years upon a showing that the families of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the school's families support the continuance of the policy.

Sallie Jones Elementary School is hereby approved for the following uniform dress code policy.

Teachers and administrators at the Sallie Jones Elementary School have conveyed to the Board their desire to have a uniform dress code policy. The families of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the kindergarten through fourth grade students have voted in favor of the policy. The Board recognizes that such a policy can improve the educational process at the school for several reasons including the following:

	A.	Improves Safety and Welfare of Students:
		Trespassers can more easily be identified when the students are in uniform clothing. Weapons can more easily be hidden in baggy clothing (prohibiting baggy clothing lessens this risk). Gang-related clothing is eliminated;
	B.	Eliminates "Label Competition":
		Students of varying socio-economic levels are placed on an even footing regarding their appearance. Peer pressure is reduced and clothing distractions are minimized allowing students to focus on learning;
	C.	Lowers Level of Subjectivity:
		Teachers and administrators spend less time determining if students are appropriately dressed thereby allowing the school community to focus on learning;
	D.	Improves Pride:
		Students in uniform dress have an improved sense of pride, unity, and school spirit. Uniform dress serves to instill self-confidence, self-respect, and respect for others;
	E.	Savings:
		The cost of school clothes is minimized.

Based on the above findings, Sallie Jones Elementary students shall wear the following:

	A.	Pants, etc.:
		Neat fitting navy blue or khaki pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, sweat pants, or capri pants. Clothing may not contain visible printing or logos. No jeans of any color are allowed;
	B.	Shirts:
		Collared knit button or snap polo shirts in red, hunter green, white, or navy blue with no visible printing or logo (except the school's logo). Shirts may be long-sleeved or short-sleeved;
	C.	Footwear:
		Closed-toe, rubber soled shoes (e.g., tennis shoes) and socks;
	D.	Cool Weather Clothing:
		Windbreakers, fleece, sweater, or sweatshirt-type jackets or pullovers in red, hunter green, white, or navy blue with no visible printing or logo (except the school's logo), if worn in the classroom. Neat fitting sweat pants in appropriate colors are acceptable. All other jackets or coats brought into the classroom must be placed in the area designated by the teacher.

The required provisions as defined above are hereby incorporated by reference into the Sallie Jones Elementary School Uniform Dress Code Policy.

The Sallie Jones Elementary School Uniform Dress Code Policy shall become effective on the commencement of the 2006-2007 school year and shall expire at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. The Board shall grant a request to extend the policy for an additional period of three (3) school years upon a showing that at least two-thirds (2/3) of the families of kindergarten through fourth grade students at the school support the continuance of the policy.

F.S. 1001.43

Adopted 6/20/06
Revised 9/23/08
Revised 4/24/12