The Chambers County School District’s new dress code for the 2022-2023 school year has drawn mixed reactions from parents. But according to Deputy Superintendent David Owen, it will give students great flexibility in what they can wear. For that reason, he said it might be better to say “dress code revisions” instead of “uniforms.”
“The Pep Boys car shop, they’re all in uniforms,” he said. “The Alabama Power Company, they’re all in uniform. The police department, they’re all in uniform. But the dress code provisions that have been adopted by the council are very flexible. Children can wear five different color polo shirts, five different color long sleeve shirts. They can wear sweaters of different colors. Pants or shorts of different colors.
Owen said the dress code revisions will hopefully help students focus more on learning. He argued that they could save parents a lot of money. Many parents might otherwise spend large sums of money on clothes to help their children fit in with their peers, he said.
He said it has not yet been determined where parents will be able to purchase the clothes.
“There was no sort of contract or supplier established,” he said. “If parents want to buy them at Walmart, they can buy them at Walmart. If they want to buy them from Old Navy, they can buy them from Old Navy. If they want to buy them from Amazon, they can buy them from Amazon.
Owen said the school system is working on a way to help needy families buy clothes for their children.
“I know the director of federal programs and some of the other people, the director of elementary… Different people have networked to establish this pool of resources. he said.
Owen said schools will try to create closets of clothing resources.
The CCSD Uniform Guidelines state that the purpose of its new dress code is to maintain a safe and disciplined learning environment, minimizing bullying and disruptive behavior.
“Instead, school respect, unity and pride will be maximized,” they state. “We are convinced that the wearing of uniforms by students will help to mitigate the impact of socio-economic differences. The focus, in turn, will shift more to achieving competence rather than what peers are wearing.
As for shirts, the guidelines state that students may wear plain polo shirts, golf shirts, button-up oxford shirts, or blouses with collars and sleeves (long or short sleeves are permitted) in plain white, black, navy blue, red or grey. A small logo on the chest is allowed as long as it is smaller than a quarter. All shirts and blouses must be long enough to be tucked in.
“Underwear must be solid black, white or gray with no text or imagery (T-shirts are considered undergarments) or use school-approved spirit clothing,” the guidelines state.
A plain white, black, navy or gray crewneck or v-neck sweater or sweater vest will be permitted in cold weather with a suitable shirt underneath.
Hoodies will not be permitted.
“Short-sleeve or long-sleeve t-shirts that are school-approved uniforms may be worn on designated days,” the guidelines state.
Pants, skirts, capri pants and shorts can be plain khaki, black or navy blue. Blue or denim jeans, leggings and jeggings will not be permitted. Pants cannot have graphics or embroidery. Small labels or logos that can be covered by a quarter will be permitted. Skinny pants with elastic ankles will be prohibited.
Shorts, skirts and capris cannot be shorter than the width of a $1 bill from the knee when standing.
No baggy or falling pants or shorts will be allowed. Neither do “low waist” clothes. Pants cannot be worn with the belt below the hip.
Clothing should be worn appropriately. For example, it cannot be upside down or upside down, and the pants cannot be rolled up.
Sheer or mesh clothing that exposes the body or undergarments will not be permitted.
Pants or shorts with belt loops will require a belt. Belts should be solid black, brown, navy, or clear with a plain belt buckle that is not oversized. All seat belts must be buckled.
Shoes must be closed with closed heels. Crocs will not be allowed. Shoes must be black, white, grey, navy or brown. They may have a brand such as Nike, Adidas, etc. Shoes that have laces must be laced and tied as they were designed.
“No intimidating gang-related clothing, accessories, symbols or attire is permitted,” the guidelines state.
In addition, no headgear will be allowed. Girls can wear headbands and bows, but hair accessories should be modest.
Students will be allowed to dress up for certain occasions such as Homecoming Week and Spirit Week. Those who are undressed should follow the standard dress code.
In general, students may not wear: windproof pants or sweatpants, except in PE; velvet pants and tops; clothes that are too big or torn; too tight clothes; overalls; Elephant feet ; sleeveless tops or overcoat; unhemmed clothing; hooded sweatshirts; trench coats; bicycle shorts; stretch knit leggings, jeggings, tights or pants; denim jeans or jeans fabric pants; clothing with nicks, rips or tears; flip flops, flip flops, sandals or Crocs; team-sponsored hoodies to wear during the school day; transparent or see-through clothing; leggings (except with appropriate skirts such as in cold weather; money chains; or other clothing deemed inappropriate by the school principal.
Also, students may not wear clothes that show their bellies.
When a student violates the dress code for the first time, they will receive a written warning. On their second violation, they will receive detention. If they violate the dress code a third time, they will have to go to Saturday school or detention. The fourth offense and additional offenses will result in students being enrolled in Saturday School, in-school suspension, or out-of-school suspension.
“Any student who violates the Uniform Policy must change to meet the Uniform Requirements in a timely manner,” the guidelines state. “If necessary, the parent will be contacted to pick up the student or bring a change of clothes. Any absence from class is unjustified. If the student does not change to meet the uniform requirements within a time frame deemed appropriate by the principal, an additional violation will be issued. Excessive absences due to dress code violations will result in truancy hearings and referrals to juvenile court.
The guidelines state that reasonable consideration will be given to students with religious beliefs or medical reasons that conflict with dress code revisions.
“In such cases, additional documentation will be requested by the director in order to meet the exempt status of this policy,” they say. “If approved, this documentation must be provided each school year, including medical records, letters, or clergy letterhead.”
