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RESTRICTED STANDARDIZED DRESS CODE

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Dress Code Benefits

The Waterloo Community School District has a mandatory (restricted standardized)

dress code for all elementary, middle, and high school students. There are many
positive reasons for a school dress code, including:
to reinforce the District’s mission that each and every student graduate prepared for
college, career, and citizenship . A standardized dress code helps to prepare students
for their futures through:
 Professional/ career dress
 Modesty/decency
 A focus on instruction
 School security
 Personal safety
 Businesslike image

• A dress code encourages students to express their individuality through

personality and academic achievements, not outward appearances
• A dress code puts the focus on academics because they project a neat, serious,
businesslike image
• Schools with dress codes have fewer discipline problems because students
aren't distracted
• Dress codes can be less expensive
• Dress codes eliminate the visible differences between children
• Dress codes eliminate peer pressure
• Dress codes create A sense of school pride and belonging

Restricted Standardized Dress Code

The dress code does not allow for clothing with colored trim, stripes, check or plaids,
embroidery, decoration, etc. It also does not provide for jeans, overalls (overalls with
pants or shorts), sweat pants, knit pants/skirts, leggings, etc. A very small logo is
acceptable on otherwise approved clothing items.

Listing of Acceptable Clothing

Bottoms: Navy, Black or Khaki/Tan (solid)

• Knee-length shorts, Slacks, Skorts, Skirts, Skirted jumpers
• Must be plain, solid-color Twill, Corduroy or Denim fabric (not blue jeans)
• No cargo or carpenter style, patterns, rivets, large brand tags, or strings.

Tops: White, Navy, Light Blue, Burgundy (Any solid colors with collar
• Must have long or short sleeves; no sleeveless shirts allowed
• Must have a collar except on designated days
• Knit polo-type, Oxford or woven dress shirts, blouses, turtlenecks
• School t-shirts are allowed on designated days
• Every school may add another collared shirt color. specify acceptable colors.
Call schools for school colors.
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• No hoods

Other dress code rules:

• A belt may be required if the garment has belt loops. No decorative belt buckles
• Shirts must be tucked in.
• Shoes must be closed toe, safe, and appropriate. No flip flops, sandals,
wheelies, or Crocs.
• Clothes must be appropriate size, with waist of garment worn at student's waist.
• Clothing that is too tight or too loose is not appropriate for school.
• Undergarments must not be visible.
• School administrators will determine if clothing is appropriate for school
and complies with District rules. For more specific information on the student
dress code, please refer to the Code of Student Conduct.

Cold Weather

On very cold days, students may need to wear outer garments, etc. over their school
clothes on their way to/from school. However, any clothing that doesn’t meet dress
code requirements must be removed and stored before school begins.

Jackets, sweaters, etc.

A jacket or cardigan may be worn during the day if it meets regular dress code rules
• May not be disruptive, distracting, display offensive language/symbols, etc.
• School staff may ask students to remove jackets
• Any type of jacket or pullover garment that is worn all day (sweater, sweater
vest, sweatshirt) should:
o have a collar OR be worn with a collared uniform shirt
o must be Solid White, Solid Navy, Solid Light Blue, or Solid Burgundy
Color or the school’s additional solid shirt color (school sweatshirts with
no hoods are OK)
o must not have any colored trim, pattern, decoration, etc. (small logos are
OK)
This policy applies to all elementary, middle and high school students and will be
implemented District-wide beginning with the 2011-12 school year.*

Exceptions to the uniform will be made for students with Individualized Education Plans,
religious beliefs, JRTOC uniform requirements, or health conditions that require
accommodations.

*Option: Any school in the district may begin this policy in August 2010 if you believe
you have the necessary support, tools and time to have an effective implementation are
in place.

The Superintendent will develop regulations to implement this policy.

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