The school has requested that all teachers review the uniform policy with their classes. I have done so and have made a permanent page on the website listing the School Uniform Rules. ANY and ALL questions about this, please refer to the School Office and Administration.
The school is asking that I do Uniform checks, which I will start to do tomorrow, since we reviewed what is appropriate (at length) today. I understand the squeeze we all are feeling financially. Please talk to office and administration if you are unable to make immediate changes.
Valley Academy Uniform Dress Code
(Revised and Approved by the Board on 5/15/2014)
Purpose:
Valley Academy has chosen to adopt a uniform dress code in order to create a positive atmosphere where students can feel safe and comfortable. Uniforms minimize visual socioeconomic differences between students and create an environment where clothing and fashion are not a distraction to the daily educational process.
Policy:
Students are required to wear the Valley Academy uniform daily while on school property during normal school hours, during after-school tutoring activities and on all field trips, unless otherwise specified. Dress code violations will be addressed with parents.
Procedure:
Uniforms will be plain, simple, and conservative. All clothing worn during school hours must be solid colors; no prints, patterns, or logos are allowed, except for the school logo clothing. Embellishments on the clothing, such as large buttons, buckles, zippers, ruffles, lace, or emblems are not allowed.
Clothing should fit properly, not baggy, saggy, or skin-tight. Clothes should be clean and in good repair, not washed out or worn out. Holes and patches are not allowed.
Tops:
Acceptable tops are polo shirts in any solid color and polo dresses in either short or long sleeves, No logos are allowed on tops except for the school-embroidered logo.
Layering of shirts under the polo is allowed, in short or long sleeves. Undershirts may only be white in color and must not have any logo showing.
Long-sleeved sweaters, cardigans, and jackets with a zipper are acceptable in any solid color with school-approved polo underneath. No logos, except the school- embroidered logo, are allowed on sweaters, cardigans, or jackets worn inside the
building. Sweatshirt hoodies and pull over sweatshirts may not be worn during the school day.
Coats, jackets, sweatshirts, gloves, and hats may be worn for outdoor activities.
For all tops worn during the school day, no florescent or neon colors will be allowed.
Bottoms:
All pants, shorts, skorts, skirts, and jumpers must be solid khaki (tan) or navy in color. These are the only two acceptable colors for uniform bottoms.
All bottoms must fit properly. The following are not allowed as a part of the normal daily uniform: athletic wear, jeans/denim, sweatpants, or stretch pants.
Shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers, and dresses must be within 1-3 inches above the knee in length.
Children will be active throughout the day, therefore, if skirts, jumpers, and dresses do not have built-in shorts, a pair of shorts must be worn underneath. White and Navy leggings and tights are allowed under skirts, skorts, and dresses, but cannot be worn alone as a uniform pant.
Shoes and socks:
Shoes must have a closed toe and back, be no taller than 2 inches above the ankle, and have a heel no higher than 1 inch. Acceptable colors for shoes are: blue, black, white, brown, and grey (or any configuration of those colors on the same shoe). Flashing lights, glitter, and wheels are not allowed on shoes worn during the school day. Flip-flops and sandals are not permitted.
Socks will be one solid color and may not extend any higher than 2 inches above the ankle. No florescent or neon colored socks will be allowed.
P.E., Dance, Movement and Performing Arts Attire:
During P.E. activities, t-shirts must be solid color with or without the Valley Academy logo. Shorts must be solid color with or without the Valley Academy logo. No prints, patterns or other logos are allowed. Sneakers must have non-marking soles and must be in good repair.
During performing art activities, uniforms will be according to the instructors’ specifications.
Footwear appropriate to the activity will be specified by the instructors.
Hair:
Hair shall be neatly combed or brushed. Bizarre or extreme hairstyles are not permitted. Hair must be kept trimmed so that the student’s eyes are always clearly visible. Hats and bandanas may not be worn during the school day.
Jewelry:
Students have the responsibility to avoid apparel or accessories that are such that they create a safety issue, interrupt school decorum, student concentration, or adversely affect the educational process.
Grooming and Hygiene:
Students shall maintain a clean and neat appearance, and exercise good grooming and personal hygiene habits.
Free Dress Days:
“Free Dress” days will be designated by school administration. Free Dress Day policy shall also include the following provisions:
- Tank tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps, bare midriff shirts and short shorts shall not be worn.
- Clothing may not contain vulgar, sexually explicit, or profane words or phrases, pictures or other representations that refer to drugs, tobacco, alcohol, weapons, or gangs.
Special Accommodations:
Accommodations regarding the dress code may be made for students and families who have the challenges listed below:
- Are financially unable to provide the uniform. They may meet with a school administrator to discuss the options available.
- Medical reasons. A doctor’s note to the school administrator explaining the necessary modifications to the Dress Code and the length of time the modification must be held will be necessary.
- Bona fide items of clothing or jewelry for religious reasons.
Valley Academy administration reserves the right to be the ultimate authority in deciding what constitutes appropriate school attire.