Warren Township High School Student Dress Standards

1. Warren Township High SchoolStudent Dress Standards 2014-2015

2. Our Rationale • “District 121 has determined the primary purpose of the school to be education, and that matters of personal dress and grooming should be appropriate for the situation. Students should come to school dressed in clothing appropriate for instruction. WTHS accepts and fully recognizes that the basic responsibility for dress rests with the students and their parents, but experience has demonstrated the need for certain restrictions in this area.” –WTHS Parent-Student Handbook • Our school community prides itself on our academic success. The fashion industry may dictate what is “in style” for social settings, however, we believe more conservative choices will allow for greater success in our school setting. • The dress regulations highlighted in this presentation are general guidelines. The administration reserves the right to make final decisions on appropriate dress. On judgments of appropriateness, WTHS will error on the side of modesty.

3. Unacceptable Clothing • Clothing that contains messages that are vulgar, offensive, obscene, or libelousis NOT permitted! • Clothing that denigrates others on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability is NOT permitted! • Clothing that promotes tobacco, alcohol, drug use, or violence is NOT permitted! • Clothing or jewelry associated with gangs or cults is NOT permitted! • Clothing that is otherwise contrary to the school’s educational mission is NOT permitted!

4. Head Wear • Hats, Bandanas, Hoods, Sweatbands, & Sunglasses are NOT permitted in the building at any time. • Garments that are a necessary part of a recognized religious organization will, of course, be permitted.

5. Outdoor Wear • Jackets and coats which are designed for outdoor temperatures must be stored in lockers and not worn to class.

6. Nightwear • Nightwear and items normally worn as undergarments, but displayed as outerwear are NOT permitted.

7. Unacceptable Shirts • Unacceptable shirts include, but are not limited to: • Halter tops, strapless, backless, spaghetti straps, revealing midriffs, low-cut styles, sleeveless tops with less than a 2 inch diameter on the shoulder, racerback tanks, undershirts.

8. Unacceptable Shirts • Avoid items that are sheer or revealing. • Undergarment exposure is always inappropriate. Low-cut & Revealing Sheer; Bra exposure Straps < 2 in. Bra exposure Backless

9. Shorts & Pants • Pants may not be worn to sag! • Allpants must fit around the waist and be properly fastened. These pants are too low and underwear is exposed.

10. Shorts • Shorts that are excessively tight or revealing are NOT permitted in school. • These styles are NOT appropriate for school!

11. Shorts • The shorts must be fingertip length or longer. • Unacceptable Acceptable

12. Leggings • When wearing leggings, you must wear a top long enough to cover you – finger tip length. • Unacceptable Acceptable

13. Skirts & Dresses • Skirts and dresses that are excessively short, tight, or revealing are NOT permitted in school. • Just because you can pull your skirt down it does NOT mean that it will retain that length when walking up the stairs or sitting in class.

14. Unacceptable Dance Dresses • No backless dresses lower than the natural waistline. • No dresses cut below the bust line. • No cut outs that expose skin from the bust line down Cut below bust line Cut below waistline No cut outs that expose any skin from the bust line down.

15. Unacceptable Dresses • These dresses are very short!

16. Appropriate Dresses for Dances

17. Appropriate Dresses for School

18. Important Notes • The WTHS dress standards are intended to create an environment where learning is the primary focus, with as little distraction as possible for our students. • We hope to maximize the effectiveness of each student’s educational experience by maintaining a culture of hard work and integrity, which includes appropriate dress. • Should a student make an error in judgment with regard to dress, they will be asked to remedy the situation immediately through the following process: • If the student has a substitute clothing item available, they will be asked to change immediately and return to class. • If the student does not have alternate clothing, they will be required to change into a PE uniform for the rest of the day, or until a parent drops off an appropriate change of clothes. • Repeat disregard of the dress expectations will result in consequences defined by the parent-student handbook.

19. Helpful Tips for Students & Parents… • We certainly do not want students to miss class time for any reason, especially inappropriate dress. If a clothing item is in question, opt for another choice! The deans are always available to answer questions about dress expectations. • Keep a sweater, sweatshirt, sweatpants or jeans in your locker. The easiest way to fix an inappropriate or revealing outfit is to cover it up! • Be prepared: this presentation was designed to clarify the unavoidable ambiguity that exists in most dress codes. Inappropriate dress issues are not up for debate. Refusal to remedy a dress situation will result in your choice to miss class; these absences will be unexcused.

20. Warren Township High SchoolStudent Dress Standards Presented by the Deans of WTHS