Dress Code Compliance in the Middle School Middle School Orientation Rocky Mount Preparatory School August, 2009

Why do we have a school uniform? Uniforms reflect the idea that we are at school to learn and not to show off. Uniforms, like choir robes, hide social and economic differences. Uniforms eliminate the need for teachers to make decisions about the propriety of any non-uniform piece of clothing.

What do we wear every day? Prep’s Dress Code covers Pants or Skirts Shirts Shoes and Belts Outerwear Jewelry Hairstyles

Shirts and Blouses Boys and Girls may wear polo shirts in Navy, Light Yellow, or White. Boys may also wear a white dress shirt if they wish. Girls may also wear white blouses, but such blouses may not be sleeveless. Only white undershirts may be worn under your uniform shirt.

Pants and Skirts Boys and Girls may wear pants or shorts in Khaki, Navy, or Black. Girls have the option of wearing skirts, skorts, capris, or jumpers in Khaki, Navy, or Black. Pants should not be jeans, jeans-style, bell- bottoms, hip-huggers, or cargo pants. Shorts for boys and girls should be knee length. Skirts for girls should be no shorter than within three inches of knee length.

Shoes and Belts Any black or brown footwear may be worn except for boots, sandals, and any open-toed or open-heeled shoes. Girls’ shoes should be flats only. Socks or footies may be white, navy, brown, or black. Belts must be brown or black and free from any ornamentation or large belt buckles.

Outerwear White, gray, or navy sweaters, sweatshirts, or fleece may be worn in class. No outerwear may bear large logos or any reference to sex, drugs, alcohol, or musical artists, or political or religious messages. Collegiate sweatshirts may be worn, but they must bear a specific reference to a college or university. Official Prep spirit wear may be worn in school on early release days only.

Jewelry Earrings—Girls may wear ONE pair of stud earrings (no hoops). Boys may not wear earrings at all. Students may wear ONE thin strand necklace inside their shirts. Necklaces should bear no nameplates, insignias, or other large ornamentation. Girls may wear no more than two bracelets or two rings on each hand. Students may not display any body piercings or tattoos.

Hairstyles Styles are not to be a distraction to teachers, students, or administrators. Hair must be in “good taste” in length and kept neatly groomed. Braided hair is appropriate if kept neat.

Special Dress Days Every Monday or first day back from a holiday or long weekend. Boys wear white or Carolina blue dress shirts and ties. Girls wear white dress blouses. Girls may wear ties as well. NO SWEATSHIRTS or other outerwear is to be worn over dress clothing.

Wearing the uniform Pants should fit neatly at the waist. Shirttails (boys and girls) should be tucked into the pants all around the waist so that the belt is visible. Clothing should be clean and not wrinkled. The student’s general appearance should be “clean, crisp, and sharp.” When you go out into the real world, this will be the expectation of you.

For your consideration… Discuss in groups of four or less: Remember the girl on the Hairstyle page? Did she violate the letter of the Dress Code? Did she violate the spirit of the Dress Code? Why or why not? Write a letter to Mr. Pratt asking him to change one item in Prep’s dress code. Make sure that you make a good argument for your point!

Our Dress Code is part of our culture of preparing you for college… …and of preparing you for the world past college that awaits you. You will be judged by many things, and the way you dress and wear your clothing will be a big part of that.