First impressions are lasting ones! How you appear when first meeting someone is much more important than we realize. You overall appearance, I believe, effects how people react to you and in some instances how you are treated. It plays a big part in our professional lives as well as social situations. I believe how you are dressed affects your behavior and attitude. Over the years I have observed our dress becoming more casual. Some of that is due to where we live, the weather and climate. Some of it is due to cultural changes in our society. We live in a less formal time than our parents and grandparents did. Still there are certain situations that dictate how you dress. In particular, the professional career you chose. As adults it is important that we set the example and are role models for younger professionals and also children.

Each year Seminole County Public Schools updates and publishes the Student Conduct and Discipline Code. It is published and handed out to each student at the beginning of the new school year. The policy is also available online at our district web site www.scps.k12.fl.us as are all of the policies.

Seminole County Public Schools takes pride in the development of its policies. Input is gathered from all stakeholders. Policies are presented in draft form as information items at school board meetings. After consensus is achieved then the polices are presented for approval and advertising at three separate meetings.

Responsibility for the dress and appearance of students enrolled in Seminole County Public Schools primarily rests with parents and the students themselves. Some student apparel, however, may not be appropriate to wear to school even though that same apparel may be appropriate to wear in other settings. To assist parents and students in making appropriate fashion and grooming decisions for school, the School Board has established minimal guidelines for the appearance and dress of students.”

When discussing possible changes with the students and administrators the underlying theme was that the existing /new policy needs to be consistently enforced throughout the district. Understanding that this endeavor does not need to distract from the school day, some schools have established a “dress code check” at the beginning of each day. During the opening of the school day after the pledge and announcements everyone stands up and the classroom teachers quickly check and anyone in violation is sent to the dean’s office.

The next phase that has to be developed is the consequence piece i.e. first time offense versus fourth or fifth. The students are providing input through student government representatives to the Discipline Committee who is working on the policy revisions.

“It is the responsibility of the principal to see that the dress appearance of any student shall not be extreme, to the point of creating a disturbance, or is hazardous to oneself, others, or school property, whether or not the specific case is covered by the policy. The principal has the final decision when enforcing the dress code.”

“All schools have the option of adopting a standard dress code when developed and agreed upon in collaboration with their School Advisory Council.” Many of our schools have a standard dress code such as Crooms Academy of Information Technology, English Estates Elementary, Spring Lake Elementary, Midway Elementary and several others.

The primary purpose of the change is to promote academic success and the safety of all of our students. The district boosts about the tripe A experience received in our schools,
Academics, Arts, and Athletics. I feel another vital part contributing to this triple A experience is appearance.

Students should be coming to school each day “dressed for success” just like their parents dress to go to their professional jobs. This attitude mirrors the same responsibility as if they too were going to work each day. School is each and every student’s job for thirteen years, preparing themselves for whatever career they choose. How they dress and act each day at their “job” affects their overall success.

School newsletters, web sites, student government groups, PTA, and school advisory councils all have the opportunity for input. When finalized by the end of this semester, the new student appearance and dress code will be in effect starting with the 2010-11 school year.

It is my hope that the students, parents, and school communities will embrace this endeavor as a positive move to promote student success through a more professional appearance.