Dayton Christian School System Section 8 School Uniform Dress Code Grades K-12 Applicable Biblical Principles & Character Qualities Related to This Section: Since God holds us accountable for our words, thoughts, and actions (II Cor. 5:10) our goal is for children to remember that God is worthy of our finest efforts (Col. 3:17, 23). Our dress should reflect our Christian walk and character. Clothes can be seen as a badge a visual tool of communicating our faith and trust in God. Because we were made in God's image, we must respond to one another with honor and respect (James 3:9-10). Our dress should give an appearance that reflects our mission and message. Complying with a dress standard can effectively communicate a respect and honor for the sense of school community. We must yield our rights to God and defer to one another (Phil. 2:3-8). The spirit of deference is critical when details of group guidelines are considered. Although everyone does not agree with every detail, each one yields to the common standard for the sake of unity within the body. Because there is such a divergence of opinion and perspective on appropriate dress, the school recognizes that not all will agree with the standards of the institution. May following character qualities help us all to maintain a spirit of unity and community: meekness being peaceable and gentle even when I don t get my own way (Titus 3:2); contentment satisfied with what the Lord has given me and where He has placed me (I Timothy 6:6); acceptance realizing and treating all people as made in God s image
(James 2:1); self-control doing something even when I don t feel like it (I Corinthians 9:25a); and morality (purity) living a holy life (I Thessalonians 4:3). I. General Statement of Philosophy: Proper grooming must be taught along with other rules of manner and morals. DCSS supports the emphasis of the Christian home in matters of modesty, dress, hairstyles and good grooming. DCSS, through its dress standards, seeks every means at its disposal to encourage its students to think and act like Christian ladies and gentlemen. It serves to give the student a distinctive appearance, encouraging Christian conduct and promoting school pride. It seeks to create an atmosphere conducive to learning. The goal of our dress code is to establish high Christian standards for our school and our students. II. Statement of Biblical Principles: 1. Our dress should reflect our Christian walk and character. The objective: clothes are a badge by which we communicate. There should always be cleanliness, neatness and modesty. Our dress should enhance our good works and be the proper accompaniment of godliness. The objective: to give priority to the spiritual drive over the physical and psychological drives. (II Tim. 2:20-25) Our dress should be characterized by modesty, which means reserved, moderate, chaste and decent. It should therefore be appropriate and sensible. The objective: through modesty winning some to Christ, by modesty emphasizing inner qualities. Modesty, in effect, mirrors the inner being through outer appearance. 2. Our dress should give an appearance that reflects our mission and message (messengers on a pilgrimage, messengers in a priestly role and ambassadors for Christ. II Cor. 5:20, I Peter 2:11). We must be mindful that the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ is extremely important and in the eyes of the world, Christians are expected to live by a higher standard.
III. General Guidelines: Please see that your child adheres to the following guidelines. The principal on each campus in charge of Dress Code violations will have the final decision concerning any questionable clothing worn by a student. The administration reserves the right to require any student dressed unacceptably to change clothing before attending classes, and an infraction may result in a phone call to a parent. 1. Students are expected to dress according to uniform/dress code from the time they arrive on any campus for school until they leave the campus for the day or begin practice for after school activities. 2. All garments must be modest, neat and clean. 3. All garments are to have a traditional fit. Oversize, tight or short styles are not permitted. Pants are to be worn at the waist - no sagging. Alterations made to uniform items for purposes other than ensuring a traditional fit may disqualify that item from compliance with the uniform dress code. 4. Skirt length is to be to the top of the kneecap. Slits are acceptable in a straight skirt from the bottom of the hem/skirt up to the knee for walking ease. Consideration should be given to the growth of your child. Choose garments with at least a 2-inch hem for alterations, to comply with the knee length policy. 5. A belt must be worn when an oxford cloth shirt is being worn, as it is required to be tucked in. Chains on pants, such as for wallets or watches, are not to be worn. Jewelry should be worn in moderation and good taste. Visible tattoos and body piercing (except for girl s earrings) are not allowed. Boys are not to wear earrings at school or school functions.
6. Non-school logos, slogans, letters or any designs are not permitted on any item. 7. Girls are not to wear extreme makeup. 8. Hairstyles are to be neat, clean, moderate, combed and in good taste. Hairstyle extremes (cornrows/braids are not considered extreme) and non-traditional or unnatural hair colors are not permitted. Boy s hair must be off the collar, above the eyebrow and part of the ear showing. Boys are to be clean-shaven, no beards or mustaches. 9. All shirts are to be appropriately buttoned. 10. Tops must completely cover the midriff even when arms are raised. T-shirts (long or short sleeved) or turtle neck shirts may be worn under uniforms and can be any solid color, as long as there isn t any writing showing. No thermal underwear is allowed to show. 11. Jackets, coats, hats, and other outer apparel may be worn to and from school, but left in the lockers during the school day unless the principal permits students to wear them because of a cold building. 12. Girls in grades 7-12 may wear fashion or non-athletic sandals with or without hose (no beach-wear type of flip flops). 13. Shorts and skorts must have an inseam of at least six inches (TK-4 grades) and eight inches (5-12 grades). 14. Pants, capris, or shorts may not have cargo pockets.
IV. Dress Code Grades TK-4 Polo shirts, turtlenecks, oxford shirts, and cardigans do not have to have the school logo on and therefore, these items may be purchased from a variety of vendors (Kmart, Walmart, Target, JCPenney, Sears, etc). See below for the approved colors for these garments. BOYS Pants, Walking Shorts: Oxford Shirts: Knit Polo Shirts: Turtle Neck Shirts: Sweaters: Sweatshirts: Belts: Socks: Shoes: navy twill (blue) or khaki twill (tan) - no cargo pants white or light blue, button-down collar, long or short sleeved, the top two buttons may remain unbuttoned. polos without school logo may be worn in TK-4 in the following colors: white, navy, light blue, burgundy any length sleeve. These can be purchased from any vendor. Polo shirts with DC or XC logo must be purchased through Stout Enterprises or Lands End (variety of colors offered). This shirt will not have to be tucked in. Bottom button must be buttoned. white, navy, light blue, burgundy/long sleeved only any solid color must have school logo and ordered through Stout Enterprises or Lands End required when wearing an oxford that must be tucked in required must be closed toe and heel, boot or shoe; no sandals or flip flops GIRLS Skirts, Jumpers: Polo Dress: navy, khaki or plaid (plain front or pleated) sold by Lands End, mesh polo dresses, long or short sleeved. The bottom button must be buttoned.
Skorts: Pants: Oxford Shirts: Knit Polo Shirts: Turtle Neck Shirts: Sweaters: Sweatshirts: Socks/Hose/Tights: Shoes: navy or khaki. Skorts may only be worn during TK-4 grades and must have a 6 inseam. any length between a six-inch inseam and the ankle; no cargo pant white, light pink or light blue, button-down or rounded collar, long or short sleeved. All but the top two buttons must be buttoned. polos without school logo may be worn in K-4 in the following colors: white, navy, light blue, light pink, burgundy - any length sleeve. These can be purchased from any vendor. Polo shirts with DC or XC logo must be purchased through Stout Enterprises or Lands End (variety of colors offered). This shirt will not have to be tucked in. Bottom button must be buttoned. white, navy, light blue, light pink, burgundy/long sleeved only any solid color must have school logo and ordered through Stout Enterprises or Lands End any color/variety (TK-6) must be closed toe and heel, boot or shoe; no sandals or flip flops V. Dress Code Grades 5-12 Tops: 1) Any solid color polo shirt (variety of colors offered) with DC or XC logo. These must be purchased from Stout Enterprises or Lands End. The bottom button must be buttoned.
2) An oxford shirt (variety of colors offered) with the DC or XC logo. These must be purchased from Stout Enterprises or Lands End. All oxford shirts will need to be tucked in at all times, and all but the top two buttons must be buttoned. 3) A sweater with the DC or XC logo. These must be purchased from Stout Enterprises or Lands End. 4) A sweatshirt or hoodie with the DC or XC logo. These must be purchased from Stout Enterprises or Lands End or school-issued (or school issued, such as for athletic, choir or other school organization). Bottoms: Khaki or Navy Blue twill pants any length between an eight-inch inseam and the ankle. The pants must be worn modest in cut and at the waist. Girls may wear skirts but they must be modest in length (top of the knee cap) and style (not form fitting). No cargo pants or shorts. Shoes: Girls: Any shoe, boot or sandal (no beach-wear type of flip flops) grades 7-12; Boys: Closed-toe shoes or boots. Socks/Hose/Tights: any color/variety Ties: Permitted with oxford shirts VI. Activity Dress Code: TK-12 During school activities outside the school day students may wear modest shorts, nonuniform pants, non-uniform shirts, and non-uniform shoes. Extremes are not permitted. Writing/pictures on clothes may not communicate a message that conflicts with school
standards. School Administration or their designee at any school activity will have the final decision regarding any questionable clothing or dress. VII. Special Day Dress Code: TK-12 Occasionally, special alternate dress days may be scheduled. Dress standards will be established by the building principal. These should be in writing and communicated in advance so parents can be informed and students can be appropriately dressed. Field Trips: Students are required to wear the DCSS school uniform on all field trips. Exceptions: those trips that are planned around recreational activities or activities that may damage the uniform. Dress standards will be established by the building principal. These should be communicated in advance so parents can be informed and students can be appropriately dressed.