NEW HEIGHTS SCHOOLS, INC.
POLICY 504b SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY
Adopted: 10/13/2010
SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide additional opportunities for school safety, to encourage our students to experience a greater
sense of school identity and belonging, to encourage an improvement in student behavior, to reduce school clothing costs, to
encourage a high level of program participation and to improve and expand upon academic excellence.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
It is the policy of this school to require that students wear appropriate attire consistent with the guidelines set forth below. Students
shall be required to wear clothing consistent with these guidelines during the school day, at school-sponsored activities that occur
during the school day, unless otherwise exempted from this policy under the conditions set forth in Section IV below. This policy shall
apply to all students in grades K–9 for the 2010-2011 school year; to all students in grades K–11 for the 2011-2012 school year; and to
all students K–12 for the 2012-2013 school year and thereafter.
III. UNIFORM SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
A.Colors
Students shall wear tops that are a solid white, navy blue, light blue or black. Students shall wear pants, shorts or
skirts that are a solid color khaki (putty or tan) or navy blue.
B.Features
1.Shirts
a.All shirts must be a solid color free from designs, prints, patterns, logos (except New Heights
logo), emblems or other insignia.
b. All shirts must have a collar that can be buttoned or have a m
echanism to produce a similar effect.
c.Shirts may be long sleeved or short sleeved. All short-sleeved shirts must have a sleeve that
extends at least to the mid-biceps.
d.Students may wear cardigans, sweaters or sweatshirts as long as these garments are a solid
color that complies with the color guidelines set forth above.
2.Pants/Shorts/Skirts
a.Denim, Lycra and Spandex materials are not permitted.
b.Pants/shorts/skirts shall be a solid color free from designs, prints, patterns, logos, emblems or
other insignia.
c.Acceptable styles include flat front or pleated, cuffed or non-cuffed and capris. Cargo
pants/shorts, sweat pants or running pants, zip-off pants and leggings are prohibited.
d.Shorts or skirts must hang within three (3) inches of the knee when standing.
e.All pants, shorts and skirts must be worn above the waist. Pants, shorts or skirts that sag, fall
down or reveal undergarments are prohibited. Students are encouraged to wear a belt to ensure a
proper fit.
4.Footwear
a.All students are required to wear shoes that offer some level of support and protection.
b.All shoes must have a closed toe and closed wraparound heel. Flip flops, sandals, slippers,
clogs, Crocs, shoes fitted with wheels and similar footwear are not permitted.
c.Students are required to wear non-marking athletic shoes when participating in physical
education classes.
5.Students shall be required to comply with all other provision of New Heights Schools, Inc. Policy 504 –
Student Dress and Appearance.
IV. EXEMPTIONS
A.Acceptable Exemptions
1.Exemptions may be granted for the following reasons:
a.religious reasons;
b.financial hardship;
c.medical reasons based upon submission of documentation from a health care provider
substantiating the medical necessity of the exemption; or
d.other justifiable reasons.
2.Students shall be exempt from the requirements of this policy when wearing the uniform of a nationally
recognized youth organization, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc., on regular meeting days or a uniform
required for participation at other extracurricular activities sponsored by New Heights Charter School on the
day of the event/activity.
3.Students shall be exempt from the requirements of this policy when attending extracurricular events or
other activities outside of normal school hours.
4.The building principal may, in his or her discretion, allow students to wear clothing or outfits that are not
compliant with this policy for special occasions.
B.Procedure to Request Exemptions
Parents/guardians may request an exemption from the uniform requirements by submitting a written request to the
school administrator on the form provided prior to the beginning of each school year or at the time that the need for
an exemption arises. Failure to timely make a written request may result in a delay of the consideration and
implementation of the request. Until such time as a request is approved, students shall be required to comply with
the uniform requirements.
1.The request must set forth the reason why an exemption is sought.
2.The request must set forth the specific exemption sought.
3.The failure to include the reason for the exemption or detailing the specific exemption sought may result in
the denial of a request for an exemption or a delay in the implementation of the exemption until such
information is provided and approval is received.
C.Procedure for Review of Exemptions
1.The school administrator shall review the request for exemption and provide a response to the
parent/guardian, in writing, within 7 days of the date of receipt of the request.
2.If the school administrator does not grant the exemption, the parent/guardian may appeal the denial of the
exemption by writing to the Board of Directors within 14 days of receipt of the written notice of denial. The
appeal must set forth the original reason for requesting the exemption, the specific exemption sought and
an explanation of the basis for the appeal. The Board of Directors shall provide the parent/guardian with
written notice of the affirmation or reversal of the decision of the school administrator within 30 days of the
date of the receipt of the appeal. The decision of the Board of Directors is final.
3.The failure of a school administrator or the Board of Directors to provide written notice of the decision
regarding the request for exemption within the time frames provided is not to be deemed as acceptance of
the request.
V. BOARD REVIEW
A.A standing Uniform Committee shall be established. This Committee will be responsible for conducting periodic
surveys and reviews of the current uniform guidelines. The committee will be composed of the following:
1 student representatives;
1 parent/guardian representatives;
1 community member representatives;
1 staff representatives;
1 administrators; and
1 board members.
B.The Committee will hold an annual meeting to receive input from students, parents/guardians, staff members and
other members of the community as to the Uniform Policy.
C.The Committee will provide a report annually to the Board as to the results of its review of the Policy and the
annual meeting with recommendations as to proposed revisions to this Policy.
VI. POLICY VIOLATIONS
A.When, in the judgment of the administration, a student is not in compliance with the uniform requirements, the
student will be directed to make modifications or the student will be sent home for the day. Parents/guardians will be
notified verbally and in writing of the policy violation.
B.Students who are unable to comply with the uniform policy due to financial or other considerations shall be
provided with assistance from the administration prior to the implementation of any consequences.
C.Students who fail to comply with the uniform requirements after receiving written notification of the uniform violation
shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with New Heights Schools, Inc. Policy 506 – Student Discipline.
VII. NOTICE
A.The Uniform Selection Requirements set forth in Section III of this policy shall be included in student handbooks,
and written notice of these requirements shall be provided to students and parents/guardians annually.
B.The Uniform Selection Requirements shall be reviewed annually with students.
NEW HEIGHTS SCHOOLS, INC.
APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION FROM THE SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY
Name of person submitting this application:
Name of student:
(Note: An application must be submitted for each student for whom an exemption is sought.)
School building attended:
School year or time period for which exemption is sought:
(Note: Exemptions shall be valid for one school year only. A new application must be submitted annually if a parent/guardian is
seeking continuing exemptions of the policy.)
Home address:
Telephone: (h) (w) (other)
I certify that I am the parent/guardian of the above-named student. Pursuant to the New Heights Schools, Inc. School Uniform Policy, I
hereby request an exemption from the uniform requirements for the student named above. I understand that this exemption is for the
current school year only.
I am requesting the following exemption from the uniform policy:
The reason for my application for this exemption is as follows (if appropriate, attach documentation justifying your request):
I understand that the exemption requested will not be effective until such time as exemption I have requested has been granted in
writing.
_________________________________ ____________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date
