5 Apr 2005
The district will not require specific brands of clothing to be worn by students
DALLAS—Dallas Independent School District Trustees on March 31, 2005 approved a policy change requiring all Pre-K through eighth-grade students to begin wearing school uniforms or standardized dress beginning in the fall of 2005.
High school principals, working in consultation with their Site-Based Decision Making Committee, Parent Teacher Association and administrative staff, are authorized to implement mandatory uniforms for their individual campuses provided they comply with the district's 90-day notification rule and the exemption guidelines outlined in district policy.
The district shall not require specific brands of clothing to be worn by students. The items listed in the "Appropriate Attire" category for Pre-K-8 call for general clothing items with a common color selection so that what is appropriate at one school also is appropriate at another.
All students Pre K-8 shall wear the approved school uniform unless the parent or guardian has filed an objection as provided in FNCA (LEGAL)(Regulation). As of the effective date of the policy, all schools that have previously obtained board approval for the wearing of mandatory uniforms may continue to wear the uniforms described in their board-approved plan.
As state law requires, the superintendent shall ensure funds are available for the clothing needs of financially disadvantaged students who cannot afford to purchase uniforms.
The following are the requirements approved by trustees:
Slacks and Pants:
Color: All slacks and pants must be a solid color: khaki, navy blue, or black
Style: Slacks and pants can be pleated or flat front, full length, appropriately fastened at the waist. Pants with loops require belts.
Material: Cotton, canvas, corduroy, linen, polyester, or twill.
Tops: Shirts and blouses must have button down collars or have straight collars. Turtlenecks and polo styles are permitted. All tops must be worn tucked inside pants, slacks or skirts.
Color: All students PreK-8 shall wear white shirts.
Style: Long or short sleeves with a collar required. Turtlenecks and polo styles are permitted.
Logos: Manufacture trademarks, if any, must be one inch or less. DISD school logos are permitted and are not limited in size.
Undershirts: Must be white or match the color of the top.
Skirts and Jumpers:
Color: Khaki, navy blue and black, in a solid, single color.
Style: Skirts must be at least knee length.
Shorts and Capris:
Color: Khaki, navy blue, or black, in a solid, single color
Style: Must be at least knee length
Jackets, Cardigans, and Sweaters:
Color: Should match an accepted uniform color
Style: All must be worn over a collared shirt, turtleneck or polo style top. Jackets for middle school and high school students cannot have hoods.
Logo: DISD school logos are permitted and are not limited in size.
(All DISD issued school jackets are permitted.)
Footwear:
Style: Athletic shoes, loafers, dress shoes, or other closed-toe/closed heel shoes. Mules described as
closed-toe and opened-heel are appropriate.
There are certain items that are prohibited in the district through the new policy. Those include: blue jeans, low cut pants, low rise pants, sagging slacks or pants, sweatpants, sweatshirts, hats, caps, bandanas, hair rollers, hair curlers, plastic hair bags, hair nets, sweat bands, skull caps, and other similar clothing or grooming items shall not be worn at school. Insignia on outerwear not related to the school or to the district is prohibited including but not limited to professional sports team, and college insignia.
The policy also requires all secondary students to wear student ID badges on campus and at other campus events.
The policy does offer exceptions, for instance, principals at Pre K-8 campuses are authorized to designate up to one day per week as a non-school uniform day in order to allow students to participate in activities such as "50s Day," and Spirit Day. All Pre K-8 schools may opt out of the district's "Appropriate Attire" provisions if they obtain a waiver from the Board of Trustees.
To assist new students and parents who move into the district, principals will be required to establish campus procedures and a minimum inventory of student uniform components to provide a basic uniform (shirt and pants) to new students who do not have a uniform.
In the coming weeks, the district will post photographic examples of appropriate attire on its Web site, www.dallasisd.org, and produce flyers and posters that will be made available to the public.