The Fairfax County School Board has recently reviewed the student dress code policy and regulation. These reviews led to several changes that may affect your choice of school clothing for your children. The FCPS policy may be found at http://www.fcps.edu/Directives/P2613.pdf.

Because it has been observed that students demonstrate better behavior and show more attention to school work when they are neatly dressed, our school dress policy is that:

• Clothing must be safe, comfortable and not restrictive to learning activities.
• Extremely short or tight shorts, including spandex outfits, are inappropriate school attire.
• Pants worn below the normal belt line are a potential safety hazard and considered inappropriate.
• Halter tops or shirts that bare the abdomen or chest, including boys' fishnet shirts, are inappropriate.
• Messages, logos, and other visual images on tee shirts should convey an age-appropriate message to students. Images must not depict drug, alcohol, sexual, violence-type, or demeaning racial/ethnic messages.
• Rubber-soled athletic shoes or "sneakers", secured with laces or Velcro, should be worn during physical education and at any time children are using playground equipment. Slip-on shoes, sandals, and boots are not permitted during these activities to ensure adequate student mobility and safety. Children will be allowed to change shoes prior to participating.
• Hair styles must not interfere with vision or the learning atmosphere.
• Hats and caps, except those worn for religious/medical reasons, should be removed prior to entering the building.

Parents, teachers, and principal will continue to work together to help children learn to dress appropriately. Parents will be notified if their child is dressed inappropriately and asked to provide the necessary change of clothing before the child is returned to class.