For several months last school year, MLWGS students made recommendations to improve their dress code. The core of the school’s dress code can be traced to its founding in 1991 and like most others has been updated over the years based on changes in law, policy and/or regulation. According to the school’s director, Dr. Jeff McGee, unlike other updates the current one originated after students felt that “we were enforcing the code in an uneven manner.” “The boys were concerned that while females couldn’t wear short shorts, the code was silent on such male attire.” This prompted “many young men to come to school last spring wearing their sister’s shorts”, said McGee. Noting that “Tinker Standard” (Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503), which gives public schools the legal status to set student dress standards, is grounded in Freedom of Expression “we thought it made sense to provide opportunities for students to express their points of view and include those views in an updated dress code”. The school’s new dress code not only conforms to relevant law, policy, and/or regulation but also includes space for “yoga pants” and other types of contemporary fashion/expression. “Student voice is an important aspect of the MLWGS school culture”, said McGee.
MLWGS DRESS CODE
- This dress code applies to all Maggie Walker students and personnel.
- All students are expected to dress appropriately for the high school environment. Any clothing that interferes with or disrupts the educational environment is unacceptable. Clothing with language or images that are vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene, or clothing that promotes illegal or violent conduct, such as the unlawful use of weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or drug paraphernalia, or clothing that contains threats such as gang symbols is prohibited.
- Clothing should fit, be neat and clean, and conform to standards of safety, good taste, and decency. Clothing that exposes the midriff, or undergarments, or that is otherwise provocative, is prohibited. Examples of prohibited clothing include, but are not limited to: sleeveless shirts for males, sagging or low-cut pants, low-cut necklines, tube tops, halter tops, backless blouses or blouses with only ties in the back, clothing constructed of see-through materials, and head coverings unless required for religious or medical purposes. Shorts must be at least the length of the thumb when hands are at one’s side. Skirts, dresses and jumpers must be at least the length of the longest finger when hands are at one’s side. Tights, leggings and yoga pants may be worn with a thumb length top. Jeans or other pants with slits, tears or worn through areas above finger-tip length are not acceptable attire.
- Additionally, disciplinary action will be taken against any student taking part in gang-related activities that are disruptive to the school environment, which include the display of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, tattoo, or manner of grooming that, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, or any other attribute, denotes membership in a gang that advocates illegal or disruptive behavior.
- Dresses or skirts for girls and coats and ties for boys are required at certain functions to be designated by the administration.
- Shoes must be worn at all times. Closed toe shoes are required in science lab classes.
- The dress code is in effect from when a student arrives at school until he or she departs from school. The dress code is still in effect when they attend co-curricular functions after school hours and at school dances with the exception of appropriate, approved athletic activities.
- Hats are not to be worn in classrooms, or the auditorium though teachers may exert their discretion in their classrooms.
- Sunglasses are not to be worn indoors.
- Parents of students requiring accommodation for religious beliefs, disabilities, or other good causes should contact the Director.
- Students not complying with this code will be asked to cover the non-complying clothing, change clothes, or go home. Repeated infractions will result in disciplinary action.
Updated for 2015-2016
