1. Dress Code Policy:
“Campus / School” Wear

2. What are School Uniforms?
Most common in elementary and secondary schools.
A form of student uniform. (Real world experience. Jobs require dress codes or uniforms.)
To represent positions of professionalism.
Clothes that are form fitting and limited to certain types of clothing.

3. Form Fitting Clothes that require shirts to be tucked in.
A belt for boys slacks. (Not baggy at the shoes, or saggy at the waist.)
Keeps weapons, cigarettes, cell phones, I-Pods, and drugs from being smuggled in.
Most smuggle in underwear, socks, shoes.
Form fitting clothes helps reduce this scenario.

4. Uniform Policy
Why?

5. Why Implement a Uniform Policy?
Schools are a places where students should feel safe and feel they belong.
Articles of clothing help students create an identity but it can also foster “subgroups” which may be threatening to some.
Clothing can be an issue when dealing with school discipline as administrators constantly have to decide what is appropriate.

6. When the Policy will be Enforced.
The school hours: 8:03 - 3:01
Also, off - campus trips.

7. Standard Rules of
School Uniforms

8. Standard Rules.
All Campus / School wear must be purchased through designated suppliers.
Land’s End or French Toast or Local businesses
Shirts and blouses must be buttoned with the exception of the top button.
All shirts and blouses must be tucked in, including the shirt under a sweater.
Skirts/skorts/ jumpers - No shorter than 2 inches above the knees (Standing)

9. Standard Rules cont…
Pants, capris, shorts, skorts, and skirts must be form fitting - not baggy.
Belts must be worn at the waistline * Exception - Kindergarten.
Socks or hose must be worn..
No clothing is allowed to be frayed, torn or patched.
No side / cargo pockets are permitted
May include pleated and A-line for skorts and skirts.

10. Standard Rules Cont. Top Wear: Bottom Wear:
Colors: Solid - red, white, black, gray, and navy blue.
Bottom Wear:
Khaki, black or navy blue.

11. Standard Rules Cont. Top Wear: Bottom Wear:
Polos, blouses, mock neck and oxfords - long or short sleeve.
Sweaters, vests, and crew neck sweatshirts are permitted.
Collard or mock neck shirts must be worn under sweatshirts, sweater, and vests.
No Zippers are permitted on tops.
Optional school logo is permitted.
Bottom Wear:
Pants, capris, shorts, skorts, and skirts.

12. Standard Rules Cont. Footwear:
Only closed toe and heel shoes are permitted. This includes tennis shoes.
Socks or hose must be worn.

13. Personal Grooming Hair must be combed neatly. No visible tattoos.
No visible body piercing. Earrings are permitted.
No extreme: hair colors, hairstyles, makeup, or jewelry.
Mustaches and beards must be trimmed at all times.

14. Dress Down Days Prefer to call casual days.
At the discretion of the administration.
Approved school organization uniforms are permitted.

15. Campus Wear /
School Wear

16. What to call the uniform policy?
Campus Wear or School Wear Policy.
Why? -- Marketing ploy.
The term “uniform” has a negative connotation among students and parents.
Perception is worse than reality.

17. Why go to a “Campus / School” Wear Policy
It is less expensive for parents to clothe the students for school. On the average, parents will spend $ a year on clothes. (Reader’s Digest, 2005)
A Uniform Policy “Campus/School” Wear average: $100.00
Uniform policies limit choices.
School Wear allows for more choices.

18. Why cont..
Removes “competitive” dressing, especially among junior an senior high girls. (Have and have nots)
Students in many studies have performed on a higher academic level.
Law enforcement and emergency personnel can readily identify who belongs on school grounds should an incident arise. (Intruders)
Local police, fire, and EMS will endorse this policy.

19. Why cont.. 40%-50% of the day is dealing with dress code violations.
If there is a uniform policy, you can spend more time on academics and curriculum.
Prepares the students for the “real world” work force.

20. Why cont.. Helps parents and students resist peer pressure.
Helps students concentrate on their school work.

21. Why cont..
Decreasing life threatening situations among students for designer clothes./ (Mostly inner-city schools) = Only takes one time.
Helps prevent gang members from wearing insignia or color of their gang. (Inner City, but could happen anywhere)
Installs discipline in students. (Discipline is what you do for someone, not what you do to someone.)

22. Why cont..
Creates a positive interaction between different students due to income revealing symbols.
Less time preparing for school in the morning.
Increased pride in each student about appearance.
Improved school climate.

23. How to make “Campus / School” wear successful
Success = Proper Implementation
Term “Buy-In” or “Ownership” from key players: teachers, administrators, and parents. (Any reform effort)
Hear all sides before acting.
Assess the situation and why a new policy needs to be in place.

24. Adopting a Campus / School Wear Program
Guide to
Adopting a Campus / School Wear Program

25. Guide to adopting a Campus/School Wear Policy.
Get parents involved.
Protect students’ religious expression.
Protect students’ other rights of expression.
Determine whether to have a voluntary or mandatory school uniform policy.

26. Guide cont… Do not require students to wear a message.
Assist families that need financial help. Aid is available.
Treat school uniforms as part of an overall program.

27. Parent involvement
Successful schools have surveyed parents first and then received input from them.
Parent support is essential for encouraging students to wear the uniform.

28. Protect students’ religious expression.
The Religious Freedom Act protects the student’s religion of wearing yarmulkes and head scarves for example.

29. Protect students’ other rights of expression
Littlefield v Forney in Texas
Court decided that “free-speech and expression” are not absolute.
Must be in balance with school board’s stated interest in adopting a dress code or uniform policy.

30. Voluntary or Mandatory Policy
A voluntary policy opens the door for division, just like not having one.
This is why we recommend a mandatory policy.

31. Students’ to wear a message
Schools should never impose a student to wear a message.

32. Families that need the financial help.
Assistance for those
Families that need the financial help.

33. Assistance to families that need financial help
School district provides a uniform to those who can not afford it.
Community and business leaders provide uniforms or contribute support. Family Services will provide grants.
School parents work together to raise funds.
Have a yard sale at the end of the year to sell to the next year.

34. Assistance help..
The “campus / school” wear programs offers a % return to the district to allow those who qualify so they may use that money to purchase the uniform.
Land’s End offers a 2-3% credit back to the school for every order.
French Toast offers a 5% credit for every $2,000 ordered.

35. Overall Safety of School.
Uniforms by themselves cannot solve all the problems, but they can be one positive contributing factor to discipline and safety.
It lays the foundation for the other changes to take place.

36. When to implement???
We feel it is an immediate plan that needs to take place next school year.

37. How Campus / School Wear works.

38. How the “Campus / School” Wear works
Certain local businesses will carry the clothing needed for campus wear.
There are catalogs such and Land’s End and French Toast that carry the proper clothing as well.

39. How it works cont.. Simple rule of thumb is to limit the choices.
Too many options opens the door to “student interpretation.”

40. Opponents
What they say

41. What the Opponents say.. Opponents argue two main sources:
Violation of individual’s rights.
Lack of evidence connecting uniforms and improved academic achievement.

42. Other arguments.. Uniforms are an abuse of administrative power.
Uniforms cause economic hardship.
Social classes will still be there.
Courses that rely heavily on creativity will be ruined.
Uniforms will mask subtle indicators of student problems at early stages.

43. Supreme Court
Cases

44. Key Supreme Court Cases
Freedom of Speech
Dress Code School Uniform Cases.

45. Court Cases.. Freedom of Speech
Tinker v Des Moines School District, 1969
Bethel School District v Frasier, 1986
Hazelwood v Kuhlmeier, 1987

46. Court Cases… Dress Code School Uniforms
Littlefield v Forney Independent School District, 2001
Castorina v Madison County School Board, 2001
Canady v Bossier Parish School Board, 2001

47. Conclusion

48. In conclusion
When considering a uniform policy make sure there is a plan of action.
Parents and students must understand the “why” it needs to be implemented.

49. Conclusion cont..
Opponents have plenty of arguments against a uniform policy but none have any quantitative support to back their opinions.
Supreme Court cases have been decided about students’ freedoms and rights in the schools.
Above all: It just looks nice.