Kenston Forest School

2009-2010 Dress Code Requirements
Grades 6-12

Dress Code (General).   All students at Kenston Forest School are expected to dress in such a manner as to exhibit good taste, personal cleanliness, and respect for their appearance and reputation.  Students understand that tasteful clothes contribute to the creation of an environment conducive to academic achievement and excellence, good behavior patterns, safety and security, development of one’s self esteem, development of pride in the school, and esteem for fellow students by representing them with an image commanding the respect and admiration of the community.  Clothing and accessories must not contain inappropriate messages or endorsements, or images of sinister nature.  Student attire not specifically addressed in the dress code may be deemed inappropriate by school administrators.  In such cases, the student will be informed not to wear certain clothing again.  Parents and students with questions about specific clothes are encouraged to query school administrators; such queries are welcome.  Parents are expected to actively support the dress code by overseeing what their children wear to school. 

Boys’ Dress Code.

·        Boys must wear pants that are properly fitted.  Dress pants, khakis, corduroys, jeans, and shorts which are cuffed or hemmed are acceptable.  Sweatpants and pajamas are not permitted.  All pants must be designed for a belt and a belt must be worn and secured.  Shorts must be no shorter than the point halfway between the center of the knee and the fingertips when standing with shoulders relaxed and arms fully extended down the side.  All pants must be worn at the natural waistline.

·        Boys must wear a fold-over collared shirt or turtleneck.  Sleeveless shirts are not permitted.  T-shirts, undershirts and tank tops are not permitted as outer garments.  Shirts shall be buttoned up except for the top button or two buttons (or buttoned completely).  Boys may wear sweaters and sweatshirts of appropriate size.  Hooded sweatshirts will not be worn with the hood up.  Collared shirts must be worn underneath sweatshirts and sweaters.  Boys will have their shirts tucked in at all times.  (Exceptions: Sweatshirts and certain overshirts are not required to be tucked in.  All overshirts with “tails” shall be tucked in.)

·        Camouflage apparel and other clothing designed specifically for hunting is not permitted.

·        Dress shoes, tennis shoes or sneakers are preferred footwear.  Properly secured sandals are allowed.

·        Boys’ hair shall be neat, clean, and well groomed.  No unnatural hair colors are allowed. Hair shall not extend lower than the bottom of the shirt collar in back and shall not touch the eyebrows in front.  Hair on the side shall not extend lower than the line formed from the corner of the eye to the bottom of the ear.  Gentlemen shall be clean shaven below that line.

·        Hats, caps, and sunglasses shall not be worn during the standard academic day or at indoor school assemblies/sports events during or after the standard academic day.

·        Boys will not wear visible body piercings.  Visible tattoos are prohibited during school activities.

Girls’ Dress Code.

·        Girls must wear clothes that are properly fitted.  Dresses, skirts, slacks, pants, Capri pants, jeans and shorts which are cuffed or hemmed are acceptable.  Sweatpants and pajamas are not permitted.  If an ensemble is worn such that belt loops are exposed, a belt must be worn and secured.  Skirts and shorts must be no shorter than the point halfway between the center of the knee and the fingertips when standing with shoulders relaxed and arms fully extended down the side. 

·        Girls may wear collared or collarless blouses, knit shirts, and sweaters.  Sleeveless tops are not permitted.  In addition to long or short sleeves, flutter sleeves and cap sleeves are permitted.  T-shirts, undershirts and tank tops are not permitted as outer garments.  All blouses and shirts must be of relaxed fit with modest necklines.  If a blouse or other top with buttons are worn, they shall be buttoned up except for the top button or two buttons (or buttoned completely).  Girls may wear sweaters and sweatshirts of appropriate size.  Hooded sweatshirts will not be worn with the hood up.  Blouses and tops designed to be worn not-tucked-in are permitted; other shirts shall be tucked in. (Exceptions: Sweatshirts and certain overshirts are not required to be tucked in.  All overshirts with “tails” shall be tucked in.)  All blouses and shirts must fully cover one’s midriff at all times. 

·        Camouflage apparel and other clothing designed specifically for hunting is not permitted.

·        Dress shoes, tennis shoes or sneakers are preferred footwear.  Properly secured sandals are allowed.

·        Girls’ hair shall be neat, clean, and well groomed.  No unnatural hair colors are allowed.

·        Hats, caps, and sunglasses shall not be worn during the standard academic day or at indoor school assemblies/sports events during or after the standard academic day.

·        Ladies may wear conservative pierced or non-pierced earrings, but not more than two per ear.  Other visible body piercings are prohibited.  Visible tattoos are prohibited during school activities.

Corrective Action.  Students in violation of the Kenston Forest School dress code will correct the violation prior to continued participation in class (or other activity).  The homeroom teacher plays a major role in ensuring student compliance with the dress code.  A student found to be not in compliance must correct the issue before he/she will be admitted to academic classes.  On a standard morning, this means the student has from 8:30 to 8:45 to achieve compliance before academic time is lost.  To achieve compliance, the student has several options:

·        Correct the issue “on the spot.”

·        With permission from the homeroom teacher, the student may obtain an appropriate replacement article of clothing from a friend, locker, vehicle, or used clothing from the school office.  The student may desire to purchase an appropriate replacement article of clothing from the school store.  If required, the student may “charge” the purchase for later billing.

·        With permission of office staff, the student may use the office phone to request that a parent bring an appropriate replacement article to school.

Regardless of the method utilized, the student is prohibited from attending academic classes until compliance with the dress code is met (resulting in missed coursework which is not made up).  Students who miss academic class must report to the office and will receive disciplinary action by the Headmaster.  Parents are expected to mentor their students to use good judgment in their apparel and comply with dress code requirements.

After School.  The dress code above applies to the standard academic day and also applies after school to Kenston Forest School student spectators at school activities such as home or away athletic contests.  The following exceptions apply in these after school events:

·        Collared or collarless shirts (e.g., T-shirts, football jerseys, etc.), may be worn as outer garments by girls or boys (with or without a collared shirt underneath) at after school activities.  Undershirts and tank tops are not permitted as outer garments.  Girls may wear tasteful tops with or without sleeves. 

·        Sunglasses and properly worn hats/caps are authorized for outdoor after school activities.