ELIZABETH DUNCANKOONTZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SCHOOL UNIFORM DESCRIPTION

Shirts and Blouses: Any solid color, polo style with collar,

long or short sleeves.

Turtleneck Shirts: Any solid color.

Slacks (Pants) Shorts: Navy Blue, Khaki or Black. Shorts must be mid-thigh in length or longer.

Sweaters and Sweatshirts: Solid color.

Belts: Belts are required if pants have belt loops. All pants without belt loops must fit appropriately atthe waist.

Skirts, Skorts, Capris, Culottes, and Jumpers: Navy Blue, Khaki or Black

Tights: Any solid color

Socks: Any color

Shoes: Closed toe and closed heel. Please refer to the Rowan-Salisbury Schools Code of Conduct manual

Jewelry: Cannot be distractive or a safety hazard.

General Notes:

1. No logo other than the logo of Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Elementary school.
2. No jeans, jean skirts, jean jumpers, sweatpants.
3. Shirts must be tucked in.
4. No sweatshirts with hoods (Hoodies). Heavy coats must be taken off inside the classrooms. Sweaters and light jackets in appropriate solid colors are welcome as needed.
5. All clothing must fit appropriately and clothing may be purchased from any vendor as long as it comply the uniform requirements. 

Assistance for Families:The cost of school uniforms has proven to be less than what is usually spentfor children’s school clothing. However, the purchase of school uniforms stillmay be a financial burden for some families. The school will allow anyone to apply for assistance with obtaining the required components of the schooluniform, and if they meet the criteria, the will receive assistance to thedegree that school resources can afford. The school will solicit funds andarticles of clothing form parents and the community to maintain a “clothing closet.”

Protection of ReligiousExpression: Students may display religious messages on items of clothing tothe same extent that they are permitted to display other comparable messages.Religious messages may not be singled out for suppression, but rather aresubject to the same rules as generally apply to comparable issues. If wearingparticular attire, during the school day were part of a student’s religiouspractice, under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, our school generallywould not prohibit the wearing of such items unless extenuation circumstancesnecessitated otherwise. Parents should discuss such situations with theprincipal beforehand.

Protection of Other Rightsof Expression: Students will not be prohibited from wearing or displayingexpressive items, for example a button that supports a political candidate, solong as such items do not independently contribute to disruption bysubstantially interfering with discipline or with the rights of others. Inaddition, students may wear the uniform of a nationally recognized youth organizationsuch as the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts on regular meeting days. 

I.     Commencementof Uniform Policy

A.     Theuniform policy for Elizabeth Duncan Koontz became effective on August 25, 2006,the first day of school for the 2006-2007 school year. The local school boardreviewed the policy and approved the request for Koontz School to become auniform school.  Uniforms are mandatory attire.

B.     Agrace period of ten (10) days shall be given to comply with the uniform policy to all new or transfer students from the date of enrollment.

II.     Notification of Parent/Guardian

A.    Parents and guardians will be notified of this policythrough regular school communications, by publicity in PTA and other schoolmeetings, and through notices posted in the news media periodically.

III.   Assistance for the Acquisition of Uniforms

A.    Upon request, applications for uniform assistance maybe obtained through the school’s main office.

B.    A faculty committee including a school administratorwill review applications. Applications will be held in strict confidence.

C.    Those qualifying shall receive uniform components asneeded from the available inventory. No parent or guardian will be given fundsor be reimbursed for the purchase of uniform components.

IV.   Compliance Measures

A.    The intent of the policy is not to inhibit or prohibitany student who is not in uniform from receiving the education to which he/sheis entitled. Therefore:

1. Every attempt will be made to prevent a child frombeing suspended or placed in an alternative learning setting for not complyingwith the policy.

2. No student shall receive a lowered academic grade as aresult of not complying with the policy.

3. The school shall communicate with parents or guardiansso that the expectation, rationale, and benefits, are fully understood.                                                                                                      

B.    The following measures will be taken if a studentcomes to school without the appropriate uniform.

1. On the first offense, the student and parent will bereminded of the uniform policy. The parent or guardian will be contacted and arequest for future compliance will be made. A record of this first offense willbe created.

2. On the second offense, an office referral will be maderegarding the noncompliance of the uniform policy. The parent or guardian willbe contacted. If a parent or guardian cannot bring the needed clothing, thestudent will be provided with the necessary uniform component(s) to be worn forthe remainder of the school day. A record of this second offense will bedocumented.

3. On the third offense, an office referral will be madeand a designated Elizabeth Duncan Koontz administrator will take appropriateaction.

4. All student discipline shall follow theRowan-Salisbury Schools Code of Conduct.

5. A positive approach to achieve compliance with theuniform policy will be used throughout the year.