As a Community School, School Site Council, parent community, and staff we are committed to having a uniform dress code. We choose to continue with uniforms for all students for 4 very important reasons:

1. Academic Reason:

We believe that our dress policy supports the learning environment and academic achievement by decreasing distractions that other attire can create.

2. Safety Reason:

We believe our dress policy creates a safer environment for our students by making it easy to identify those who belong on the Taft campus.

3. Social Reason:

We believe our dress policy breaks down the “status” of clothing that can be a distraction to the learning environment.

4. Community:

We believe our dress policy creates a stronger sense of community within our school thus increasing the pride our students take in our school.

All Taft students are to wear clothing as outlined below:

· Clothing should be neat and in good repair.

· Shoulders must be covered at all times.

· Dress/Skirt/Shorts must be at most 2 inches above the knee.

· Clothing is not to be baggy or oversized.

· Make- up is not permitted.

Students may wear any of the following in different combinations on different days. Acceptable clothing is:

*Pants/skirts - pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, and jumpers in navy blue.

*Shirts/Blouses - any style white shirt or blouse with no writing or pictures OR a school t-shirt in the school color(s) with only the school name and/or logo imprinted.

*Sweaters/Sweatshirts/Hoodies: any navy blue or white sweater or sweatshirt with no writing or pictures OR a school sweatshirt in the school color(s) with only the school name and/or logo imprinted.

*Coats/Jackets: any style or color (except red) coat or jacket (no sports jerseys).

*Shoes: all students must wear closed toed, rubber-soled shoes with no heel.

We do not allow any red to be work to school. This includes clothing, shoes, socks, backpacks, hair accessories, or jewelry. This rule is for the safety of the children. We look forward to everyone’s cooperation in our efforts to enforce this policy. It becomes a hardship and time is wasted when we have to deal with students that do not come dressed in uniform or have a waiver.

If anyone is in need of assistance to purchase or replenish uniforms, please come to the office or the Family Center at any time. Also, if families are not in need of old uniforms and the uniforms are in good, clean condition, please bring them to our office so that we can use them for other students.

If a child arrives to school out of uniform, he/she will be brought to the office at recess or before school to phone home and/or change their clothing. A note will then be sent home to the parent. After the third notice home, the student will be assigned detention. Uniforms can be purchased in the children’s department of most department stores including K-Mart, JCPenney, and Target.

If parents still wish to request a waiver, you must first make an appointment with the Principal.