Dear Parents:

In order to insure that your child is ready for the 2008-2009 school year, we have enclosed some important information to help you and your child prepare for back to school.

As you know Howard Drive Elementary has adopted a mandatory dress code.  All students will be expected to wear school uniforms to school every day. Also, students will be expected to come to school with attention given to personal cleanliness, grooming and neatness of dress.  The school selected uniform program includes the following attire and will be strictly enforced during the school year.

  Tops

·        Only shirts with collars are to be worn (polo type or oxfords are acceptable).  The shirt colors include white, light blue, navy, red, and hunter green.  Howard Drive Elementary in simple script is to be embossed on all shirts.
 
   White script is to be put on red, navy and hunter green shirts and navy is to be put on white and light blue shirts.

·        In cold weather, uniforms must be worn, but any type of outerwear is acceptable.

      Bottoms

·       Navy blue and khaki colors were chosen for the bottom attire.  This includes shorts, long pants, skirts, and skorts in a uniform-style cotton or cotton blend fabric.  Nylon running gym shorts or anything similar is unacceptable.  

Shoes

·      Students may wear sneakers or any type enclosed shoes with socks.  

Casual Day (Fridays Only)

On Fridays students may wear their uniforms or they may wear their Howard Drive t-shirts, math superstars t-shirts,  or Earth Day t-shirts.  The bottom attire should be navy, khaki uniform or blue jeans  (Cut-offs are unacceptable).

Exceptions To Wearing The Uniform Are Permitted When:

    1.     Uniforms of a nationally recognized youth organization such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts are worn on regular meeting days.

    2.     A student wears a button, armband, or other accouterment to exercise the right to freedom of speech as guaranteed  by the First Amendment and School Board Rule 6G-X13-1A-1107, unless the button, armband or other
           accouterment signifies or is related to gangs, gang membership or gang activity.

     3.     The wearing of a school uniform violates a students’ sincerely held religious belief.

     4.     The student’s parent or guardian has secured an exemption from the mandatory uniform program.

Parents who object to their child/children wearing a uniform at a mandatory uniform school must request an application for Exemption from the School Uniform Program.

The principal or another designated administrator will meet with the parent to discuss the uniform policy and the nature of the objections to the policy.   If the outcome of the meeting is to continue the waiver request, the principal will grant the waiver for district approval.

Should you have any questions regarding the uniform policy, please call the school at:  (305) 235-1412.


                                                                                              
  
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Deanna Dalby, Principal