D65 Clarifies Position Regarding Dress Code: No Ban on Certain Clothing

A policy meeting has been set for the beginning of April to allow the District 65 Board of Education to continue discussions on what has become a somewhat polarizing debate regarding dress codes for children at Haven Middle School.

The perceived ban set forth by the school district on yoga pants, leggings and ‘skinny jeans’ have been at the center to the discussion.

In an announcement on the District 65 website dated March 26, it states, “Despite rumors, these clothing items have not been banned at the school and the same dress code remains in place since the fall of this school year. It has been communicated to students that “if leggings are worn, a shirt, shorts, or skirt worn over them must be fingertip length.”

The statement goes on to say that the school district supports expression through appearance and attire, but that clothing should be “appropriate for the school and adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Parent/Student Handbook.”

District 65 has been responsive to the issue since it came to the forefront, including sending out a letter to parents, discussing it in the advisory meeting March 25 with interested parties and Principal Kathy Roberson meeting with staff to review school dress code guidelines. Homeroom teachers also have discussed the dress code with students, according to the statement.

The Board of Education will continue to discuss the matter at the Policy Meeting at Joseph E. Hill Education Center on Tuesday, April 1, at 6 p.m.

The goal of this meeting, according to the statement is to have a, “meaningful dialogue surrounding student dress code and in developing and implementing a clear set of guidelines as well as standardized enforcement procedures across district schools.”