Dress Code

General Guidelines For Students in Grades K-6:

Solid colored sweatpants/athletic wear or solid colored gym shorts in approved colors may be worn on Physical Education days.

Opt-Out Statement:

Religious/Medical/Special Needs Exemption: If the parent/guardian of a student has a religious belief, medical, or special needs situation which precludes strict compliance with the Standardized Dress Code Policy, the student’s parent(s) may fill out the appropriate waiver form and submit all other documentation reasonably requested by the administration to establish their exemption.

Parents/guardian requesting an exemption from the guidelines will be required to meet with the Superintendent and/or designee to discuss the guidelines and the nature of the circumstances necessitating a waiver.
Following the meeting, the Superintendent and/or designee shall render a written decision, approving or denying the requested waiver, in whole or in part. Any exemption from the guidelines granted by the Superintendent and/or designee shall be limited to the minimum variance from the guidelines necessary in light of the specific, bona-fide religious, medical, or special needs situation, which precludes strict compliance. Documents generated regarding the request for exemption shall be filed in the school’s office of the building administrator.

Economic Hardship/Crisis Situations

The requirements in this policy have been developed to impose the minimal amount of economic burden on families as possible while protecting the health, safety and welfare of the students and the order of the school. Families who are experiencing economic hardships and are having difficulty meeting the dress requirements are encouraged to meet with the building administrator to discuss options. Clothes Closets will be available in buildings, which contain new or gently used clothing.
Families may qualify for assistance under certain income guidelines. The district shall develop and maintain a system to provide limited assistance to families demonstrating a financial hardship resulting from compliance with the policy, while guarding the privacy of each student. Appropriate forms and information will be available from the administrator of each building implementing the policy. The family must file a new application each year.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

Transfer Students

Standardized Dress Code for Students

At the Pocono Mountain School District Board of Education meeting on March 5, 2014, the School Board adopted a Standardized Dress Code Policy Click here for policy 221 for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 that remains in effect at all schools.

Dress Approval

Bottoms

Pants/Skirts/Shorts/Skorts

Style:

Dress, casual Docker ® style, or corduroy pants
Dress or casual Docker ® style shorts
Dress or casual capri style pants
Dress or casual skirt/skort
Maxi skirts or dresses

Colors: Khaki, Black, Grey and Navy

Belts

Permitted: Solid-colored buckled belts, worn at the natural waistline (black, white, tan/khaki, grey, or brown). Belt buckles must be plain, standard, and appropriate length for the waist.

Not Permitted: Belt designs, emblems, insignia, monograms, logos, or studs.

Permitted

Contrasting colors (i.e. white top on black bottom)
Same color top and bottom (i.e. black top on black bottom)
Appropriately sized bottoms (i.e. no more than one size larger than the student actually measures)
Pleated or plain front bottoms
Bottoms worn at the natural waist
Pant length that meets the top of the shoe, but does not touch the floor
Shorts length that is not higher than the top of the knee cap; must be hemmed
Full-length leggings/tights worn under the skirt/skort of appropriate length (no higher than the top of the knee cap)
Maxi skirts or dresses

Not Permitted

Blue denim for bottoms
Extra wide, extra-long, baggy, or sagging bottoms
Spandex, stretchable nylon, or other form-fitting material
Cargo or carpenter type pants/shorts with multiple pockets down the leg area
Pants with waistline below the student’s natural waist
Visible undergarments
Skirt/Skort length that is higher than the top of the knee cap

Tops

Shirts & Blouses

Styles:

Traditional 2 or 3 button Polo® style (with collar)
Standard oxford style shirt/blouse (with collar)

Colors:

Pocono Mountain East – primary red, white, grey, or black
Pocono Mountain West – navy blue, white, grey, or black

Note:

Apparel with the Pocono Mountain School District/Athletic and/or extra-curricular logo, embroidery, monogramming (polo, shirts, sweaters/vests, warm-ups, etc.) may be worn provided it meets the requirements set forth in this policy.

Permitted

Appropriately sized tops (i.e. no more than one size larger than the student actually measures)
District or school logos/emblems
Full torso shirts/tops with a collar buttoned at the base of the neck
Shirts/tops do not need to be tucked into the bottoms unless deemed necessary by administration
Short, long, or three-quarter length sleeves
Dresses that meet the standard for collar, sleeve, skirt length, and colors
For layering purposes only in compliance with identified colors:
- Full-torso T-shirts
- Full-torso turtlenecks – mock or pullovers
- Full-torso cardigan sweaters
- Full-torso sweater vests or fleece
- Crew neck sweatshirts

Note: Apparel with the Pocono Mountain School District/Athletic and/or extra-curricular logo, embroidery, monogramming (polo, shirts, sweaters/vests, warm-ups, etc.) may be worn provided it meets the requirements set forth in this policy.

Not Permitted

Custom or Brand logos (i.e. Nike®), prints, strips, patterns, etc.
Shirts/tops that are low cut, plunging or V-neckline - visible undergarments or cleavage
Visible midriff
Sleeveless shirts
Tight or form-fitting dresses - spandex, stretchable nylon, or other form-fitting material
Hooded, thermal tops/sweatshirts (may only be worn as outerwear and must be removed and placed in lockers during school day

Footwear

Permitted

Shoes, sneakers, boots, sandals with back strap, clogs, or crocs
Shoes with laces must be laced
Hosiery or tights worn (approved colors including skin tone) under the standard bottom
Socks worn with bottoms in accordance with acceptable color selections

Not Permitted

Slippers
Flip-flops
Heels in excess of 3 inches

Accessories

Permitted

Rings
Earrings
Watches
Necklaces
Wrist Bracelets
Ankle Bracelets
Neat, clean, and safe apparel
Ties
Head bands
Scarves that are worn as an accessory item

Note:

The administration and/or teaching staff may require that students remove any jewelry or adornments if the manner in which they are worn or displayed are not appropriate and pose a danger to the safety or welfare of the student, other students, or staff and may pose a threat of interruption of the educational process.

Not Permitted

Eyebrow rings/studs
Tongue rings/studs
Nose rings/studs
Lip rings/studs
Barbells
Beads
Beaded necklace (not dictated by Religious beliefs)
Dog collars
Heavy chains displayed on outer garments with or without medallions
Spiked jewelry
Temporary dental caps worn for ornamental reasons
The connection between 2 body parts by piercing, attachment or otherwise, by means of a chain, string, or other physical means
Band-Aid/Bandages used to cover-up body piercing
Other inappropriate jewelry or adornments as determined by the administration
Wallet chains
Clothing, hats, hair ornaments or implements, or any other material to indicate gang affiliation
Head gear – including caps, hats, scarves, bandanas, hair nets, or do-rags
Outerwear and head coverings (not dictated by Religious beliefs) worn after entering the building. Once entered items must be placed in the student’s locker for the remainder of the day.
Sunglasses, non-prescribed glasses, and unnaturally colored contacts

Request for Student Dress Assistance Form (English)

Request for Student Dress Assistance Form (Spanish)

Completed and signed forms and copies of the required proof of financial need documentation listed on the Student Dress Assistance Request Form should be sent to the following address:

Pocono Mountain School District

Attn: Dr. Mark Wade

PO Box 200

Swiftwater, PA 18370