WHY IS THERE A DRESS CODE?
Stepping Stones Academy implements a dress code policy to create a safer and more pleasant school environment, encourage and support positive peer relations, and avoid inappropriate attire at school. Stepping Stones Academy promotes the philosophy that “School is the job of the students; thus, students should dress appropriately for this environment … an environment that provides academic, social, and personal skills students need to become life-long learners, confident and responsible citizens, and productive members of society.”
GENERAL GUIDELINES
- The dress code is required for all school events and off-campus school-sponsored activities unless specified otherwise by the school principals.
- Gang-related dress is not tolerated in any form and action is taken immediately, including parent notification.
- Violation of the dress code policy results in disciplinary action and parent notification.
- Specific consequences are outlined in the Family Handbook.
- The school principals reserve the right to make all final decisions about issues relating to the dress code policy.
SHOES
Shoes are required at all times. Shoes must fit the foot properly, meaning the heel of the foot may not slip out of the shoe when the student is walking or running. Shoes must have a back or a strap across the back. The strap of the shoe must be the strap made by the manufacturer. Open-toed shoes with a back are allowed. Board shoes, skateboard shoes, slippers, flip-flops, and slides are not allowed.
PANTS, SHORTS, AND SKIRTS
- Pants, shorts, skirts, jumpers, dresses, and overalls (hereafter referred to as “pants”) must be plain khaki colored. The khaki color must be the tan shade of khaki.
- Accessories, such as stitching and embroidery patterns, are allowed on pants, but these items must be khaki colored. If these items are not khaki-colored, the pants are not acceptable at school. (This also includes fringe, trim, stripes, characters, designs, decorative buttons, and any other accessory.)
- Pants must be in good repair. Pants must have a hem and not have any holes or tears.
- The length of long pants may not go past the top part of the heel of the shoe, and pants may not drag on the ground. The length of shorts/skirts/jumpers must be longer than midthigh.
- The pants are to fit appropriately and should not be too big or too small. Sagging of the pants and baggy pants are not allowed. The waist size of the pants should be within two inches of the actual waist size of the student.
- Belts should fit within three to four inches of the waist size of the student. Long belts hanging down are not acceptable.
SHIRTS
- Polo shirts are required. Shirts do not need to be the Polo brand, but must be the traditional style of polo shirts.
- The polo shirts must be plain colored. Any solid color is acceptable. Shirts with patterns, stripes,
plaid design, pictures, words, or more than one color are not allowed - Shirts must have a collar and short or long sleeves. Shirts must also have three to four buttons at the neckline and may not have snaps, a zipper, or a v-neck without buttons.
- Shirts must be in good repair. Shirts must have a hem, all buttons securely attached, and may not have any holes or tears.
- Shirts are to fit appropriately and should not be too big or too small.
- Shirts must cover the waist of the pants, including when the arms are raised or stretched directly above the head.
- Shirts worn on the outside of the pants may not hang longer than the middle of the thigh. All other shirts are to be tucked in so the waistline is visible. Shirts may not hang longer than the shorts/skirts.
- Shirts may not include lettering, except for the Stepping Stones Academy school shirts or the logo of the manufacturer. The logo of the manufacturer may only be on the upper left side of the shirt. Shirts with advertisement logos are not allowed.
TO PURCHASE A SCHOOL SHIRT
Stepping Stones Academy orders school shirts in August of each year. The shirts are ordered in a variety of colors (ie: purple, red, navy, black) and in both youth and adult sizes. The shirts are sold on a first come basis. (When a size or color is sold out, more shirts are not ordered until the following school year.) Families may purchase school shirts at Meet the Teacher Night, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 26th from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
ACCESSORIES
- Backpacks - Any style of backpack is acceptable, including backpacks on wheels. Backpacks may include writing, colors, and pictures that are printed by the manufacturer (ie: Scooby-Doo). Backpacks may not include writing, colors, or pictures that are not printed by the manufacturer. Backpacks may not include inappropriate or obscene writing, symbols, or pictures. Extra accessories, such as keychains, may not be displayed on the outside of backpacks.
- Hair Color – Student hair is to be one color. The hair may be dyed from its natural color, but the hair color must be a “traditional” hair color, such as black, blonde, brown, or red. The hair color may not be a “non-traditional” color, such as purple, orange, or green. The hair may not be dyed more than one color, such as half black and half blonde.
- Jewelry – Students are allowed to wear school-appropriate jewelry. Spiked or studded necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other similar jewelry are not allowed.
- Body Piercing – Pierced ears are allowed on campus. All other real or imitation body piercing is not allowed on campus. Students with real or imitation pierced body parts must conceal the pierced body parts, except for pierced ears, while on campus or at off-campus school-sponsored events.
- Tattoos - Real or imitation tattoos are not allowed on campus. Students with real or imitation tattoos must conceal the tattoos while on campus or at off-campus school-sponsored events.
- Hats/Caps – Hats and caps may be worn outside, but may not be worn indoors. Hats and caps must be worn appropriately at all times with the front of the hat or cap facing towards the front. Hats or caps may not be worn backwards or sideways. Head scarves, bandannas, and hair nets are not allowed.
- Sunglasses – Sunglasses may be worn outside, but may not be worn indoors. Sunglasses are to be worn over the eyes and may not be worn on the back of the head.
SWEATSHIRTS
- Sweatshirts are to be plain colored. Sweatshirts may not include patterns, stripes, pictures, words, plaid design, or more than one color.
- Sweatshirts may not have any lettering or pictures, except for the Stepping Stones Academy logo or the logo of the manufacturer. The logo of the manufacturer may only be on the upper left side of the sweatshirt. Advertisement logos are not allowed.
- Sweatshirts may be worn over the polo shirt with the collar of the shirt showing on the outside of the sweatshirt.
- Sweatshirts may be worn in the classroom. Sweaters, hooded sweatshirts, and sweatshirts with zippers, buttons, or ties are considered a “jacket,” and may be worn outside only.
SWEATERS, JACKETS, AND COATS
- A “jacket” is defined as a garment to wear outside. Sweaters, hooded sweatshirts, coats, and sweatshirts with zippers, buttons, or ties are considered a jacket.
- Jackets may be any color and may include school appropriate pictures, lettering, or design. Jackets may not include offensive or inappropriate pictures, symbols, or writing.
