Waxahachie Independent School District

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Dress Code Exemption Form

View Dress Code

View a Powerpoint Presentation with examples of what students can and cannot wear to school

411 North Gibson Waxahachie, Texas 75165

Excellence in Education

June2, 2008

RE: Waxahachie ISD 2008-09 Secondary Dress Code Revisions (Grades 6-12).

Dear Parents of WISD Secondary Students,

On Monday May 19, 2008, the Waxahachie Board of Trustees voted to adopt several changes to the 2007-08 Secondary Dress Code (Grades 6-12). These recommendations were presented to the Board by the secondary principals and the Deputy Superintendent based on feedback from a committee of WISD staff menbers and community representatives. Each recommendation was data driven through extensive research and review of student dress disciplinary office referrals for past school year, as well as input gathered throughout the school year from administrator, teachers, parents, and students. Once again, the committee reviewed dress codes from various Region X school districts and consulted with the district's legal representatives.

In an effort to maintain an orderly and safe learning environment, increase the focus on instruction, promote safety and life-long learning, and encourage professional and responsible dress for all students, all secondary WISD students must meet the new expectations outlined in the 2008-09 WISD Student Code of Conduct: Dress Code. This letter is intended to assist parent in shopping for school clothes which meet the revised dress standards. Letters will be mailed to Waxahachie community clothing vendors to ensure that everyone os aware of these changes. The main changes to the 2007-08 Dress Code center on the t-shirt and outerwear guidelines, as well as new clarifications regarding logos, slogans, words or symbols on clothing.

The outline of information below is not the entire 2008-09 WISD Secondary Dress Code. This letter is simply our attempt to provide each family with a list of key changes to our dress menu. For the entire list, please review the 2008-09 Secondary Dress Code at the following Internet Link: http://www.wisd.org/.

The following items are outlined in the new 2008-09 WISD Secondary Dress Code:

 

General Information:

  • Students should be neatly dressed and may not wear torn or frayed clothing or clothing with holes. All apparel must be appropriately hemmed.
  • The secondary campuses are a closed forum for student expression through student attire. This means that during the school day, student clothing should be free of any slogans, words, or symbols, except those that promote the school district and its instructional programs.
  • Students should come to school prepared to learn. Any aspect of a student's appearance or attire that is likely to distract or disrupt the learning environment, including images or messages that are lewd, vulgar, sexually suggestive, containing profanity, or promoting violation of school rules (such as promoting drug or alcohol use) are prohibited.

 

Shirt, Tops and Blouses:

 

  • Students may wear polo-style (knit) shirts, collared shirts, or blouses. Any manufacturer's logo must be 2" x 2" or smaller. Low-cut necklines , tank tops, spaghetti straps, and off-the-shoulder shirts, blouses, or sweaters are prohibited.
  • Students may wear campus principal-approved WISD aponsored curricular clubs and organizations, athletic team, or school "spirit" collared shirts or t-shirts. Approved t-shirts must have rounded necklines.
  • Any shirts or tops that show the torso when arms are raised above the head are prohibited.
  • For female students, all untucked shirts, tops, and blouses may not extend below the middle of the thigh.
  • For male students, all shirts must be tucked into the pants or shorts.

 

Dresses, Skirts, Shorts and Pants:

 

  • Students may wear shorts, pants, jeans, skirts, or dresses. Any manufacture's logo must be 2" x 2" or smaller.
  • Skirts, shorts, and dresses must be longer than fingertip length whem the arms are held at the student's side.
  • Dresses with low-cut necklines, spaghetti straps, or off-the-shouder sleeves are prohibited.
  • Pants and shorts should fit properly and must be worn aroud the normal waist area; sagging pants or shorts are not allowed. For male students, a belt must be worn inside the belt loops and be visible at all times.

Outwear:

 

  • Students may wear only solid-colored sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, windbreakers, jackets, sweaters, turtlenecks, vests, or coats. Any manufacturer's logo must be 2" x 2" or smaller. Hoods may not be worn indoors.
  • Oversized outerwear is prohibited.
  • Students may wear WISD letter jackets or campus principal approved WISD sponsored curricular clubs and organization, athletic team, or spirit sweatshirts, or hooded sweatshirts.
  • Oversized outerwear is prohibited .
  • Professional/Collegiate athletic team coats or jackets, trench coats, dusters, and one-piece jump suits are prohibited.
  • Atheletic clothing, such as warm-up suits, swear suits, sweat pants, athletic shorts, biker shorts, spandex, overalls, coveralls, soccer or boxer style shorts, and cotton pants with drawstring or elastic waistbands are prohibited in the academic classroom.

Other headers on the 2008-09 WISD Secondary Dress Code include: "Accessories," "Footwear," "Grooming," and "Exemptions." Please remember to review the entire dress code on our district website. All students, parents, teachers, and administrators must work together to assure responsibility for complying and enforcing this new dress code. It is our goal to have a great fisrt day to the 2008-09 school year.

Sincerely,

2008-09 WISD Secondary Dress Code Committee

David Truitt, Deputy Superintendent

David Nix, Waxahachie High School, principal; Portia Butler, Waxahachie Global High, principal; John Aune, Waxahachie Ninth Grade Academy, principal; Robert Woodhouse, Howard 8th Grade Center, principal; Ryder Appleton, Finley 7th Grade Center, principal; and Ruth Sutton, Clift Middle School, principal.