Lake County School Board votes to implement uniform dress code for 2012-13 school year

TAVARES — At its regularly scheduled meeting on May 14, the Lake County School Board unanimously approved an amendment to the Code of Student Conduct & Policy Guide that could alter student dress code for the 2012-2013 school year.

“[This new uniform dress code] will make it easier to identify a student that is not dressed appropriately and it will make it easier to identify a student that needs attention as they walk in the building,” said School Board Member Kyleen Fischer, who proposed the dress code amendment. “There is less room to bring in contraband and there is less room to bring in any kind of weapons in because they are in a uniform that is tucked in and pulled up.”

A second reading of the 2012-2013 Code of Student Conduct & Policy Guide will be scheduled for a later date in June. To submit comments to Lake County Schools about the proposed change in dress code for the 2012-2013 school year, e-mail comments@lake.k12.fl.us.

THE PROPOSED UNIFORM DRESS CODE FOR THE 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR:

·         Plain solid-colored skirt (girls), pants, walking shorts, jumper, or skorts (girls) made of corduroy, cotton, twill, or denim fabric. Jeans need to be solid color. Dresses (girls) may be worn but must be solid color with short or long sleeves.

·         Long or short-sleeved, solid-colored, collared blouse or polo shirt

·         Schools have option of adding collared shirts with school logo; school-sponsored T-shirts with a crew neck; and more restrictive dress code requirements, if approved by the school’s SAC (School Advisory Committee).

·         Clothing must be appropriate size, not be oversized or undersized. The waist of the garment shall be worn so that the waistband is worn at the waist and not below the waist. No baggy/saggy pants.

·         Shirts/blouses/dresses must cover midriff, back, and sides at all times; should be fastened with no visible cleavage or undergarments; and may have a small manufacturer’s logo.

·         Shorts/skirts/jumpers/skorts/dresses shall be worn no shorter than mid-thigh.

·         Shoes must be safe and appropriate. No bedroom slippers or shoes with wheels. A manufacturer’s logo/image is acceptable.

·         Coats, jackets, sweaters, or other appropriate outer garments due to weather conditions or for other legitimate reasons can be worn. The outer garments must be of the appropriate size for you and shall not be overly baggy or violate any other provisions of the dress code.

·         No clothing not properly fastened or clothing that is torn, has hole, or pants that are frayed

·         No visible under garments, sleepwear or outer garments traditionally designed as undergarments such as boxer shorts or bras

·         No clothing or accessories (such as backpacks, jewelry, and purses) which have slogans, signs, images, or symbols that promote drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gang identification, weapons, or lewd sexual behavior; or denigrate or promote discrimination for or against an individual or group on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, race, religion, or gender

·         No hats, headgear, or other head coverings, except when approved by the principal/designee

·         No body piercing, except for earrings on the ears. All other body piercing jewelry must be removed or concealed

·         No jewelry or accessories that may be used as weapons, such as chains, spiked jewelry or arm bands

·         No combs, curlers, or hair picks

·         No sunglasses inside the school building (students may wear sunglasses, while outdoors during school hours)

·         No clothing and accessories that are dangerous to the health or safety and are distracting or disruptive

·         Cannot dress in a way that reveals private body area(s) or undergarments

Exceptions

·         New students have grace period up to 10 school days

·         Students may wear special clothing necessary for a school-sponsored activity, as permitted by the principal

·         Students enrolled in a career academy may wear the uniform of that program

·         Superintendent, in consultation with the principal, may waive the school uniform policy on a case-by-case basis for reasons such as, but not limited to, medical necessity or sincerely held religious belief