Items not allowed to be worn as slacks include non-traditional pants (including, but not limited to satin, pleather, jeans or jean material, jogging pants, leggings, warm-ups, parachute pants or windbreakers). No contrast stitching is allowed.
Shorts and skirts must be knee-length or longer. Slits in skirts may not be above the knee.
All clothing is to be appropriately sized with pants not covering the shoes and no wider than the shoe.
Pants and shorts must be worn with the waistline at the waist level. No sagging.
No undergarments can be visible.
All hats are removed upon entering the building and are not to be replaced until after leaving the building.
Other items such as bandannas, scarves, sweatbands, combs, picks, rakes and rollers are not to be worn as clothing.
All outerwear such as hats, coats, jackets, oversized shirts, shawls/ponchos, and wind shirts (including polar-tech, fleece or quilted) are to be stored in the locker during the school day.
Book bags, backpacks, pouches, backpack purses and fanny packs are to be stored in the locker during the school day. Per school board policy, backpacks must be made of mesh or clear material. Regular-sized purses are allowed in the classroom.
Non-jewelry chains, including chains attached to wallets or purses, spiked bracelets and spiked necklaces may not be worn.
No visible body piercing is allowed. Earrings in the ear are allowed. Hair color must be natural shades.
All footwear must have a back strap or an enclosed heel. Heels must be of reasonable height. No flip-flops or wheels.
ID badge must be with the student at all times but does not need to be displayed.
Any clothing, or lack thereof, other items that are inappropriate, dress that is disruptive to the educational process or potentially dangerous as deemed by school authorities, are not permitted.
Exemptions may be permitted if a teacher is conducting a special class activity that requires special attire, the staff member will seek prior approval from the administration and contact the parents in writing in advance about the event and type of clothing required.
It will be the responsibility of each Startime teacher to determine whether a student is dressed appropriately before the day begins.
Students will be expected to be dressed according to code on the first day of school.
Students will be expected to be dressed according to code for the entire school day.
New students will be expected to be in compliance on their second day of school.
On the student's first infraction, parents are called to bring appropriate clothing or pick up their child, or students may be given "loaner clothing;" on the second infraction, a letter is sent home to parents; with the third infraction, detention and/or other consequences as school authorities see fit.
If a student has no dress code infractions during a grading period, the student will earn the privilege of participating in a school-wide reward.
School principal Pam Whiteside said she hopes the new dress code will create a more friendly environment in the school.
"It seems like we start out the day at a negative manner with students when we discuss dress code with them. We had talked about that with the Kids' Kommittee. We did a survey of the staff about what they could consistently enforce across the building," she said.
Students were involved in the process and Whiteside said the code is less strict than it has been in years past.
"We're going to allow stripes, plaid, any color shirts and any kind of T-shirts. ... It has to be appropriate. It cannot be offensive," Whiteside said. "The teachers are responsible for monitoring the dress code."
Copies of the dress code regulations are available at local businesses, the board of education, Clark Middle and online at www.clark.kyschools.us/clarkmiddle/.
