Fred Lynn Middle School

FRED M. LYNN MIDDLE SCHOOL

SCHOOL UNIFORM AND DRESS CODE POLICY

I. Purpose.

The administration, faculty, staff and school community of Fred M. Lynn Middle School believe a safe and disciplined learning environment is a critical component of a high performing school, and that implementation of this school uniform and dress code policy will provide an effective learning environment within which to achieve the educational objectives of the school. Specifically, the purpose of this policy is to promote school safety, improve discipline and minimize disruptive behaviors, and create a positive educational environment through the wearing of school uniforms, and adherence to a dress code, which will:

keep the focus of the classroom on learning and promote the idea that school is a place of order and work
foster self-confidence and promote respect for oneself and others
decrease tensions in the school by lessening the impact of socioeconomic differences
help students resist peer pressure which negatively affects their self-image, emotional well-being and learning ability

encourage students to concentrate on learning, rather than on what they are wearing
build a sense of community among students, faculty, and staff and promote school spirit
decrease or eliminate violence and theft – even life-threatening situations – among students, involving student attire and related items, such as gang-related apparel, designer clothing or expensive sneakers
reduce gang-related activities and violence at school, by preventing students from associating themselves with gangs, or communicating with others as gang members while at school
promote safety by reducing the ability of students to hide prohibited substances, such as weapons, drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
instill students with a sense of self-discipline, and help students concentrate on their school work
assist school officials in recognizing intruders in school or on school property
simplify daily school preparation and maintenance
increase attendance and decrease disciplinary referrals

II. Authority.

This policy, which is implemented pursuant to Virginia Code § 22.1-79.2 and Prince William County School Board Policy 734, Student Dress Code, and Regulation 734-1, Students, Dress, is consistent with The Guidelines For The Wearing of Uniforms in Public Schools developed by the Virginia Department of Education, and is intended to supplement the provisions of the Prince William County Public Schools’ Code of Behavior relating to student dress and appearance.

III. History.

This policy was developed with the involvement of parents and the Fred M. Lynn Middle School community, which strongly favored implementation of this uniform policy for the reasons set forth in Section I, Purpose. During the 2007-2008 school year the idea to implement a school uniform policy was introduced and passed by the School Advisory Council. The entire 2008-2009 school year was dedicated to promoting the vision of implementing a school uniform and dress code policy by soliciting support from parents and community via town hall meetings, mail, email, website, monthly P.T.A. voting opportunities, Q & A sessions, and a school wide auto-dialer initiative. These efforts afforded us the opportunity to gain unanimous support in implementing a school wide uniform and dress code policy for the 2009-2010 school year.

IV. Implementation.

Fred M. Lynn Middle School students will be required to wear uniforms at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year. While school starts on Tuesday, September 8, 2009, the final implementation date shall be Monday, September 14, 2009, in order to allow all families new to Fred M. Lynn Middle School adequate time to prepare for the transition. Existing students of Fred M. Lynn Middle School should be in uniform as of Tuesday, September 8, 2009.

V. Information Dissemination.

School officials will continue to communicate with students/parents/guardians concerning the uniform policy, including general guidelines for implementation, by using one or more of the following materials: distribution of this policy, newsletters, school webpage, PTA meetings, School Advisory Council meetings, town hall meetings, mail, email, personal telephone calls, audio dialer, student handbook, announcements, flyers and posters.

VI. School Uniform Requirements.

All Fred M. Lynn Middle School students shall wear the school uniform described herein during school hours or at school-approved activities. The principal and/or principal’s designee shall implement this policy in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate. All students, parents, and guardians are expected to use good judgment and consider issues such as age, developmental stages, and body type in the manner in which school uniforms are worn. School uniforms shall be neat, clean, properly fitted, age-appropriate and suitable for the learning environment.

A. Shirts:

1. Colors: solid white or light blue as designated.

2. Students must wear plain-collared, polo shirt, dress shirt, long or short sleeve shirts or blouses. No spaghetti straps or sleeveless shirts. Shirts must be tucked into the pants. Absolutely NO logos, labels, insignias, pictures, words or messages, with the exception of the Fred M. Lynn Middle School name or logo..

3. Shirts and blouses must be appropriately sized and tucked in, unless the shirt is designed for outside wear and is no longer than 3 inches below the natural waist.

4. Shirts and blouses shall be long enough to cover the midriff when sitting or standing. Furthermore, shirts and blouses must cover the chest and back so the chest and the back of the body are not exposed.

5. Undergarments may not be visible at any time. However, students may wear plain white T-shirts under shirts or blouses.

6. No see-through or mesh clothing, that will reveal the body or will reveal undergarments, shall be allowed.

7. Clothing shall be worn appropriately (i.e., not inside-out or backwards, no rolled-up shirt or blouse sleeves, etc.).

B. Pants, Skirts, Skorts, Jumpers, Capri Pants, Shorts:

1. Colors: solid khaki or navy blue.

2. Pants must be worn with belts at the waist and belts must be through the loops.

3. NO studded belt(s) , large belt buckles, or belts or buckles bearing any insignia, logo, labels, words, pictures, graphics or other messages. Belts should be plain black or brown and not oversized, and must be buckled at all times.

4. Absolutely NO cargo pants, jeans, sweat suit pants, pajamas.

5. All such apparel must be free of graphics and embroidery. With the exception of small manufacturer’s labels and the Fred M. Lynn Middle School logo, apparel must not have insignias, logos, words, pictures, graphics or other messages.

6. Shorts, skirts, skorts and jumpers shall be modest and be fingertip length or longer.

7. No pants or shorts with pockets hanging down the legs.

8. Clothing must be appropriately sized. No baggy or sagging pants or shorts are allowed. No “low rise” (i.e., hip huggers) clothing is allowed. Pants must notbe worn with the waistband below the hipbone. Clothing shall not be so tight as to reveal the outlines of a student’s underwear, nor reveal parts of the student’s body required to be clothed under this policy.

9. Clothing shall be worn appropriately and as intended (not inside-out or backwards; no rolled-up pants legs, no rolled-up skirts or skorts, etc.).

10. No see-through or mesh clothing, that will reveal the body or will reveal undergarments, shall be allowed.

11. Blouse or polo must be worn under jumpers.

C. Coats, Jackets, Sweatshirts, Other Outer Garments:

1. Students may wear plain, unhooded sweaters or sweatshirts over school uniforms, which sweaters or sweatshirts shall be solid white, navy blue or the school color (gold or black). With the exception of the FLMS name and logo, such sweaters and sweatshirts may not have logos, insignias, labels, words, pictures, graphics or messages of any kind.

2. COATS, JACKETS, HOODED SWEATSHIRTS, OR OTHER OUTER GARMENTS MAY NOT BE WORN IN THE SCHOOLBUILDING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.

3. Coats or other outerwear may be worn during a class change if the student is required to exit the building.

4. Coats or other outerwear worn to school shall be placed in the student’s locker upon arrival.

5. The principal and/or the principal’s designee may make an exception, if the building/classroom is unusually cold.

D. Shoes and Other Footwear:

1. Colors: solid black, brown, navy blue, or white.

2. Shoes/appropriate footwear shall be worn at all times.

3. As needed, shoes shall conform to special requirements (such as physical education classes, science labs, etc.).

4. Shoes/sneakers must fit securely on the foot.

5. Shoes with open toes, or backless shoes, (including flip flops, sandals, mules, and slides) will not be allowed.

6. NO heelies or rollers, footwear which lights up, or is similarly distracting.

7. Shoes that have laces shall be laced and tied.

8. Laces must be the color of the shoes

9. No bedroom shoes/slippers are allowed.

E. Headgear and Other Clothing Items or Accessories:

1. Students shall not wear over-sized pendants or medallions, i.e., larger than a quarter.

2. Students shall wear socks or tights in black, navy blue, or white. Sheer hosiery may also be worn.

2. No adornment (i.e. earrings, necklaces, rings, etc.) is allowed that reasonably could be used as a weapon (such as, chains, spikes, etc.).

3. No gang-related clothing, accessories, symbols or intimidating manner of dress, as identified by local law enforcement agencies, or as contained in the PWCS Code of Behavior, shall be allowed.

4. No headwear (other than religious headwear) and no sunglasses shall be worn inside school buildings.

5. No bandanas shall be allowed.

6. No wristbands.

7. No elastic bands around the bottom of the pants.

F. Other Uniform Requirements:

1. Students are expected to be dressed according to the uniform standards set forth in this policy at all times school is in session.

2. Students who take a class at another school must wear the uniform of their home school.

3. Principal/ principal designee may make school-wide exceptions to the uniform policy for special events such as picture day and or other school events or activities. When this policy is lifted, the dress code provisions of the PWCS Code of Behavior shall remain in effect.

4. Clothing designed for school athletic events (i.e. cheerleader outfits, etc.) that does not meet the above guidelines will not be worn during the instructional day, unless appropriate additional garments are worn with the outfit.

VII. Uniform Sources.

As indicated above, the standard Fred M. Lynn Middle School uniform is a white or light blue shirt or blouse, and khaki or navy blue skirt or pants, which are generic items that may be purchased at many department and discount stores, such as Wal-Mart, JC Penney, Target, Ross, etc., or from online sources, such as Lands End, French Toast. Fred M. Lynn Middle School does not endorse any particular clothing line, manufacturer, or retailer.

VIII. Bona Fide Religious or Medical Exemptions.

Students who have a bona fide medical or religious reason which prevents them from wearing a school uniform, may apply for an exemption under the following procedures:

1. Medical Exemptions. The student/parent/guardian shall fill out a written, signed Application for Exemption, setting forth the reasons the student cannot comply with this uniform policy and submit the same to the principal/designee. Upon review, the principal/designee may request documentation from the student’s doctor or other medical professional setting forth the exact medical or health issue which prevents the student from wearing the uniform and the anticipated duration of the condition. The student/parent/guardian may be requested to meet with the principal/ designee to discuss the reasons for the requested exemption.

2. Religious Exemptions. The student/parent/guardian shall fill out a written, signed Application for Exemption, identifying the religious belief(s), and how it is adversely affected by complying with this policy. The student/parent/guardian shall meet with the school principal or designee to discuss the policy and the nature of the objections to the policy. The purposes of this meeting shall include (a) ensuring that the parent or guardians understand the reasons for, and goals of, the School Uniform and Dress Code Policy; (b) verifying the information on the written Application for Exemption; (c) preventing fraud or misrepresentations; and (d) determining whether the Application is bona fide.

3. Appeal of Denial of Exemptions. In the event that the principal/designee denies a request for a religious or medical exemption, the student/parent/ guardian may appeal to the Associate Superintendent for Middle Schools by submitting such appeal, in writing, within five days of denial of the exemption request, to:

Dr. Catherine Puttre

Associate Superintendent for Middle Schools

Kelly Leadership Center, Room

P.O. Box 389

Manassas, Virginia 20108

If the decision is upheld by the Associate Superintendent for Middle Schools, the parent/ guardian may appeal the decision to the Deputy Superintendent, in writing, within five (5) school days. The decision of the Deputy Superintendent shall be final.

During the pendency of the appeal, the student shall be exempt from the FLMS School Uniform and Dress Code Policy, but shall adhere to the dress code provisions of the PWCS Code of Behavior.

IX. Financial Considerations.

Parents and/or guardians who have concerns about the affordability of a school uniform should contact the school principal or social worker, to identify school-basedand/or community resources which will assist in providing needy students with uniforms. Students/parents/guardians must demonstrate genuine financial need under one or more of the following criteria:

Eligibility for free and reduced lunch under the National School Lunch Program

Public assistance in the form of Aid to Dependent Children
Foster care
Homelessness
Other evidence of financial need, demonstrating the student/parent/ guardian is unable to afford all or part of the school uniform.

Virginia law prohibits the use of state funds for the purchase of school uniforms. However, FLMS will work with staff, the local school community, and business partners to identify resources for assisting families. Fred M. Lynn Middle School will also work with parents/guardians to overcome financial obstacles through the use of a “uniform closet,” uniform exchanges or swaps, and other methods as they become available.

X. Enforcement.

In order to encourage voluntary compliance with this Uniform and Dress Policy, the goal of the principal and/or principal’s designee is to work with our students/parents/guardians to address violations in a friendly collaborative manner. Copies of the FLMS School Uniform and Dress Policy shall be made available to students and parents.

The principal and/or principal’s designee shall ensure that the policy is enforced with consistency and require the student and the student’s parent or guardian to take appropriate action to remedy situations determined to be in conflict with this policy. This may include asking the student to immediately change his/her clothes and substitute appropriate dress, having the parent/guardian bring appropriate dress to the school while the student is removed from class or other interactions with the student body, sending the student home from school to change clothing and return to class, or disciplinary action, if necessary. Any disciplinary action shall follow the regular procedures set forth in the Prince William Public Schools Code of Conduct and School Board Regulations 744-1, Student Expulsions, Readmissions, and Suspensions, and 745-1, Student Expulsions, Readmissions, and Exclusions.

Students who do not comply with the School Uniform and Dress Policy may also be excluded from participating in certain school programs or enjoying other privileges.

Students new to Fred M. Lynn Middle School will be given a grace period of five school days from enrollment to obtain and wear the proper school uniforms.

XI. Evaluation of Policy.

During the course of the school year, the staff of Fred M. Lynn Middle School will work with students, parents and guardians, and the school community to evaluate the effectiveness of this policy, and to modify the policy as needed to ensure uniform application and address any implementation issues that might arise.

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