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Admin

Uniform Policy

Dress Code and Uniform Policy

  1. Statement of Policy

    The New London Board of Education has determined that reasonable regulation of school attire can further important educational interests, including the following:

    Importance to School:

    1. Creating an atmosphere reflecting seriousness of purpose about education
    2. Creating a greater sense of community, school pride and respect amongst students
    3. Minimizing disruption from wearing inappropriate clothing or possessing inappropriate items at school
    4. Fostering a safer school environment with easy identification of students at school activities, group gatherings and walking to and from school

     

    Importance to Parent:

    1. Reducing parental cost of school clothing
    2. Offering time and energy savings for parents

    As a result, it is the policy of the New London Board of Education that uniforms are mandatory for all elementary schools (Grades K-5) commencing with the 2005-2006 school year and the Middle School (Grades 6-8) commencing with the 2007-2008 school year.

  2. Accommodations

    Where the bona fide religious beliefs or health needs of a student conflict with the Uniform Policy, the schools will provide reasonable accommodation. Any student or parent or guardian desiring accommodation shall notify the school principal in writing of the requested accommodation and the factual basis for the request. Approved coverings worn as part of a student’s bona fide religious practices or beliefs shall not be prohibited under this policy. It is the policy of the New London Board of Education that no student will be denied an education due to bona fide financial inability to obtain clothing that complies with the Uniform Policy. Any student or parent or guardian for whom compliance with the Uniform Policy poses a bona fide financial burden, may submit a written request for clothing assistance to the school principal specifying the clothing needed together with a statement of financial need. Where the request is bona fide, school principals or their designees shall try to connect parents and guardians with available community resources to locate adequate clothing, and until such clothing is obtained, the student shall be excused from complying with the Uniform Policy.

    Approved clothing may not contain any expressive messages, graphics or text, but students may wear wristbands, necklaces or pins or buttons that contain expressive messages, provided that the expressive message does not violate the Student Dress Code Policy.

  3. Parental Responsibility

    It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that their children’s dress conforms to the requirements of this policy.

  4. Staff Responsibility

    School personnel, including substitutes, should serve as role models for proper attire in the educational setting.

  5. Administrative Responsibility

    It is the responsibility of the Administration to inform all parents and guardians of the Uniform Policy, and information regarding the Uniform Policy shall be available in English and Spanish in the Student Handbook and on the New London Public School’s web site and in such other places as the Administration deems suitable to reach all parents and guardians.

  6. Compliance

    School administrators and teachers are encouraged to use positive reinforcement to obtain compliance with the requirements of the Uniform Policy. However, when a student fails to comply with the Uniform Policy, discipline is appropriate. The following disciplinary procedures shall apply at the discretion of the administration.

    Elementary Schools (K-5)

    1. First Offense – Verbal counseling with student and parent or guardian.
    2. Second Offense – Written warning and notification to parent or guardian.
    3. Third and Subsequent Offenses – Participation in recess to be withheld until the student comes to school in uniform.

     

    For every offense the student will be given the opportunity to call home for a change of clothing. A two-week grace period will be in place to allow new students time to acquire a school uniform. The administration will use their discretion when dealing with hardship cases.

VII. Elementary School Uniform

The following uniform is mandatory for the elementary schools (Grades K-5) commencing with the 2005-2006 school year.

  1. Girls shall wear the following during school hours:
    1. Navy blue jumpers, skirts, skorts, pants or knee length shorts. Shorts may be worn from April 1 to November 1 only. Pants and shorts must be “dress” or “docker” style. No blue jeans may be worn.
    2. Light blue, navy blue or white blouses. Blouses must have a collar and may be button down, polo or turtleneck. Blouses must be tucked in at all times. Hem must reach to waistline when arms raised. Sleeves may be long or short. No tee shirts may be worn.
    3. Navy blue or white socks or tights. No leggings may be worn.
    4. Sweaters or sweatshirts are optional but not a substitute for blouses as defined above. Sweaters and sweatshirts must be navy blue or white and must have no offensive text or graphics.
    5. Ties are optional but must have no offensive text or graphics.
  2. Boys shall wear the following during school hours:
    1. Navy blue pants or knee length shorts. Shorts may be worn from April 1 to November 1 only. Pants and shorts must be “dress” or “docker” style. No blue jeans may be worn.
    2. Light blue, navy blue or white shirts. Shirts must have a collar and may be button down, polo or turtleneck. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Hem must reach to waistline when arms raised. Sleeves may be long or short. No tee shirts may be worn.
    3. Navy blue or white socks.
    4. Sweaters or sweatshirts are optional but not a substitute for shirts as defined above. Sweaters and sweatshirts must be navy blue or white and must have no offensive text or graphics.
    5. Ties are optional but must have no offensive text or graphics.
  3. Heelies or wheelies are prohibited in school.

 
Reference: Connecticut General Statutes 10-221 concerning Dress Code
Legal Reference: PA 96101 An Act Concerning School Uniforms
Byars et. al. v. City of Waterbury et. al. (June 3, 1999)

Approved: June 23, 2005
Dress Code and Uniform Policies Revised, Adopted and Combined: 01/11/07

Revised (to include BDJMS Dress Code Language): February 8, 2007
Revised: March 11, 2010
June 14, 2012

NEW LONDON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
New London, Connecticut

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