Policies & Procedures

DRESS CODE

Students are expected to wear the TSMS uniform at all times and to dress and groom themselves in such a way as to reflect neatness, cleanliness, and safety. All students should dress appropriately so as not to disrupt or interfere with the educational program or the orderly operation of the school. The principal or other duly authorized school official shall determine whether any particular mode of dress, grooming, and accessories is in violation of the spirit and/or the intent of the school’s dress code policy. Students and parents are expected to honor the uniform code in order that valuable school time is not spent examining student attire to determine appropriateness. Students are not permitted to change out of their uniforms during or after school unless participating in P.E. or an after-school activity that requires non-uniform clothing.

Students who violate the uniform code will be allowed to call home for an appropriate change of clothing after obtaining administrator approval. Otherwise, a violation of the dress code will be treated as insubordination and the student will be removed from the classroom to continue academic studies. The student’s parents will be notified of this violation. Inappropriate attire jeopardizes the instructional climate and therefore, will not be tolerated.

Tallahassee School of Math and Science, standard student attire policy, “Students Attired for Education (SAFE) Act.” For TSMS.

PURPOSE—The purpose of a standard student attire policy is to provide a safe environment for students which fosters learning and improves school safety and discipline by:

(a) Encouraging students to express their individuality through personality and academic achievements, rather than outward appearance.

(b) Enabling students to focus on academics, rather than fashion, because they are able to convey a neat, serious, and studious image.
(c) Minimizing disciplinary problems because students are not distracted by clothing.

(d) Reducing the time needed to correct dress code violations through a readily available inventory of compliant attire.
(e) Minimizing visible differences between students and eliminating social pressures to wear brand-name clothing or colors to show gang affiliation, thereby easing financial pressures on parents and enhancing school safety.

(f) Creating a sense of school pride and belonging.
The schools shall implement this standard attire policy that:
(a) Applies to all students in kindergarten through grade 8 in the school regardless of individual school grade configurations.

(b) Prohibits certain types or styles of clothing and requires solid-colored clothing and fabrics for pants, skirts, shorts, or similar clothing and short- or long-sleeved shirts with collars.
(c) Allows reasonable accommodations based on a student’s religion, disability, or medical condition.

Guidelines for clarification are as follows:
Uniforms must be always worn properly while at the TSMS campus. All parents are responsible for assuring that as the student grows through the year, the uniform fits appropriately. The final decision of what is appropriate at TSMS is made by the principal or designee.

a. Students must be in complete uniform when they arrive at TSMS. All shirts must be tucked into shorts, pants, or skirts. Belts must be worn with all pants and shorts. Uniforms are expected to remain intact and appropriately worn throughout the entire day at school.

b. Students must remain in full uniform until after they leave TSMS. Shirts must remain tucked in – even after school until they leave the school campus.

c. Students who ride the bus must be in complete uniform when they get on the bus at the bus stop. Since students must be in complete uniform when they arrive, and they are not allowed to change clothes on the bus, they must already be in complete uniform as they get on the bus.

Shoes:

a. Shoes must be closed-toed dress shoes, only solid black or solid brown in color, or plain athletic shoes such as black, brown, gray, white, or navy. Birkenstock Clogs (no covered heel) in the brown or black color are also not acceptable. No special designs or patterns (checkered plaid, camouflage, etc.) or wild colors (red, yellow, pink, etc.) are permitted. Shoes must be worn at all times.
b. The emphasis regarding shoes is safety – for that reason, all shoelaces must be tied properly, all buckles fastened, and all straps must be secured or velcroed – nothing may dangle or drag from the shoe. Slippers or thin-soled shoes, thin plastic shoes, flip-flops, or open-toed shoes are not permitted.

c. Boots, Uggs, and high-heeled shoes are not permitted – Heels on shoes may not be higher than one (1) inch. Roller shoes, “wheelies” or shoes with wheels are not permitted.

Pants or Shorts:

a. Pants or shorts must be either khaki or navy blue in color with the TSMS logo embroidered. All pants and shorts must have belt loops, and a belt must be worn through all the loops and fastened appropriately. Front pockets must be side seam pockets and back pockets must be sewn inside the pant or shorts – no outside pockets, patch pockets, or additional pockets are permitted. Pants or shorts may not have rivets or brads, split seams at the bottom of the legs, or flaps on the pockets. Material may not be suede or corduroy – it must be 100% cotton or a cotton/polyester blend that is wrinkle resistant.
b. Pants or shorts must be worn properly at the waist and not sag below the top of the hips. Pants or shorts may not be rolled up or folded up. Shorts must be at least fingertip length and not longer than the top of the knee when standing. Calf-length, Capri-style or Knee-Knocker pants are not acceptable. Skintight and close-fitting clothing (pants, shorts) are not permitted Students wearing the top of their pants or shorts below their buttocks will be given a Disciplinary Referral Form for improper exposure (see 2.25)

c. Athletic shorts are not permitted. Athletic-type shorts, such as those used for biking, are not permitted. Shorts must align with the tip of your middle finger when your arms are at your side and cannot be longer than the top of your knee when standing – no “long shorts” are permitted.

Skirts or Skorts:

a. Skirts or skorts must be either khaki or navy blue in color with the TSMS logo embroidered. All skirts and skorts must not be made of jeans, suede, or corduroy material. No splits are permitted in the skirt at all. Skirts must be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee. Skirts and skorts must not be rolled or folded at the waistband – students wearing their skirts or skorts too short will be given and Disciplinary Referral Form for improper exposure (see 2.25).

b. Pants, jeans, pajama bottoms, or other apparel must not be worn under the skirt or skort. For modesty purposes, shorts may be worn under the skirts or skorts, however, long pants, jeans, pajama bottoms, or other apparel that shows below the skirt or skort must not be worn at any time.

Top Options:

a. Dress Shirts and blouses must be oxford cloth in white or light blue with button-down collars. Dress shirts and blouses may either be short sleeve or long sleeve and requires TSMS school initials/logo on the pocket. All shirts and blouses must be tucked in (able to see the belt/waistband) at all times to the shorts, pants, skirt, or skort the student is wearing.

b. Knit shirts must be pique fabric in red, white and navy blue, and the school logo is required. These knit shirts can be either short sleeve or long sleeve. All knit shirts must be tucked in (able to see the belt/waistband) at all times to the shorts, pants, skirt, or skort the student is wearing.
c. Sweatshirts must be navy blue and the school logo is required. The sweatshirt is an economical alternative when students need to have additional warmth. When wearing a sweatshirt, the student must still be wearing another TSMS shirt underneath the sweatshirt – the sweatshirt cannot be worn alone. A sweatshirt may not be worn (tied) around the waist. No long sleeve undershirts are allowed to show beneath Uniform Top.

d. Jackets must be navy blue, fleece-lined Jersey jackets – the embroidered school logo is required. These jackets may be worn to school, but they are not permitted to be worn in the school building – once in the building the jacket must be taken off and placed in their locker.

Accessories:

a. Belts must be leather, braided leather, or fabric in the solid colors of black or brown. Grommets, brads, or excessive ornamentation on the belt is not permitted. Belts are required to be worn properly with all pants or shorts – this means that the belt must go through all the belt loops on the pants, be properly fastened or buckled, and the “end” of the belt must not be allowed to hang down (it must also go through the loops if there is excess). The belt must also be tightened enough to prohibit the student’s pants or shorts from sagging below the hips.
b. Socks, stockings, tights, or hoses may only be in solid school colors. Clear or skin-colored hose are also acceptable. Fishnet or other patterned stockings or hoses are not permitted. Stockings, tights, or hoses must cover the full length of the student’s legs and feet – leg warmers/leggings are not permitted.

Miscellaneous Guidelines:

a. Clothing should be neat and clean.
b. Clothing may not be worn inside out or backward.

c. Undergarments must not be exposed.
d. Hair, face, body paint, stickers, and tattoos are inappropriate for school and not permitted.

e. Athletic outfits are not permitted in the school building, except in P. E. classes and Dress Down Days
f. Cosmetics and/or make-up should be age-appropriate, appropriate for school, and not attract undue attention.

g. Clothing with rips, tears, holes, or frayed edges is considered inappropriate for school.
h. Jewelry and accessories including but not limited to necklaces, chokers, bracelets, rings, earrings, etc. should be appropriate for school, not excessive, and should not attract undue attention or pose a safety risk. The final decision will be made by the principal or designee on the appropriateness of the accessories. Piercing other than earrings are prohibited. Earrings must be school appropriate and not pose a safety risk. Jewelry that may be considered a danger to the student (large hoop or long in length) will be at the discretion of the principal or designee.

i. Extreme hairstyles and hair colors are not permitted (examples: Mohawk haircuts; designs, words, or names cut into the hair, blue, purple, pink, green, red, burgundy, etc.). Hair coloring other than standard frosting or natural highlighting is not permitted. Hair should not attract undue attention. The hair in question will be left to the discretion of the principal or designee.
j. The only hair accessories authorized for use for students at TSMS are plain, solid in color navy, red, or white hairbands, 3 inches or less in width. Examples of not permitted accessories: Hats, caps, curlers, headscarves, bandanas, doo-rags, pick combs, combs, brushes, sweatbands, flower crowns, embellished hairbands, knitted hairbands, bowknot hairbands, turban hairbands, ear hairbands, Alice hairbands, polka dots hairbands, glittered hairbands, scarfs hairbands, ponytail hairbands, floral hairbands, chains, sunglasses, tennis skirts, gloves, arm warmers, and coats are not to be worn during school hours. Students may be allowed to wear sunglasses, hats, or other sun-protective wear while outdoors during school hours, such as when students are at recess. Hair accessories in question will be left to the discretion of the principal or the designee.

k. Reasonable accommodations will be in place based on a student’s religion, disability, or medical condition.
l. Clothing that is revealing, such as short mini-skirts, short-shorts, tank tops, loosely fitting, low-cut blouses or halter tops, mesh shirts, or shirts exposing the midriff are not to be worn to school. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed. (Mainly applies to non-uniform days at school). Shirts must be worn buttoned up to second from the top.

m. All t-shirts must be in good taste (no suggestive wording/illustration or lettering/pictures glorifying death/ violence, camouflage, or anything offensive or advertisements for items which are illegal for elementary and middle school students – i.e., alcohol and tobacco products, etc.). (Mainly applies to non-uniform days at school). Administration-approved school spirit t-shirts may be worn in lieu of a school uniform polo shirt.

n. All outside coats and jackets or hooded apparel may not be worn on campus. –All outside coats and jackets or hooded apparel must be put in the student’s locker or backpack immediately upon entering the school building. The TSMS uniform includes an optional sweatshirt or zippered fleece for those students who need to have additional layers to remain warm.
o. Silly Bandz, Crazy Bandz, rubber bands, colorful bracelets, and Jelly bracelets are not permitted.

p. Gold/silver mouthpieces or “Grillz” are not permitted.
q. Unnatural colored contact lenses are not permitted unless medically prescribed.

r. Camouflage uniforms are only permitted for the Civil Air Patrol Cadets. Boots are only allowed on the days established per the squadron. Wearing non-uniform items any other day will be a violation of the dress code.
s. Leggings may not be worn as pants.

PURCHASING THE SCHOOL UNIFORMS

All uniform pieces require the school logo or initials and must be purchased through the school’s vendor. Currently, the available stores are landsend.com and frenchtoast.com, (subject to change) Contact the school for more information.
Should a student’s uniform not comply with the uniform dress code, they will be considered in violation. Students who violate the uniform code will be allowed to call home for an appropriate change of clothing after obtaining administrator approval. The student will be isolated in the Intervention Room until an appropriate change of uniform clothing is brought to school by the parent/guardian. The student will also receive conduct points for a uniform violation.