A new school year is upon us, and we are so excited for the students to return to campuses. Throughout the summer, we have been working hard to ensure that everything is in place to guarantee what is sure to be the best year yet. We are confident that the 2017-2018 school year will be amazing—we can’t wait to see our students SHINE!
Before the students arrive on the first day of school, we would like to request your help with an issue that we feel sets the stage for success and allows students to focus on attaining their academic goals—dress code. The partnership that we have built with you is invaluable in helping us to guide our students to achieve their aspirations. The relationships that we have with you and our students guide the decisions that we make, and we want to stay constant in communicating with you and seeking your input on important topics.
Because of the feedback that you have offered, there will be some changes in this year’s standardized dress code. We would like to address those changes and answer some questions and concerns which have recently derived from students and parents.
“What are the changes in the standardized dress code for the 2017-2018 school year?”
This year, students will not be required to tuck in their shirts. In addition, students will be allowed to wear a wider variety of sweatshirts/hoodies. Students are still required to wear belts, and all other facets of the standardized dress code will remain the same.
“Is the standardized dress code enforced? I have been told that everyone is out of dress code.”
The Wylie ISD standardized dress code is enforced, and it is not true that everyone is out of dress code. In fact, the majority of our students show up to school each day in the required standardized dress. While 25% of students were not in compliance last year, 75% of students refrained from getting dress code violations. Moving forward, we will continue to closely monitor students. Throughout the 2017-2018 school year, in addition to dress code checks in classrooms and hallways, we will be instituting random “dress code sweeps” on all campuses. During these times, students not in compliance will be asked to get into standardized dress code and may be assigned consequences. These efforts will work to ensure that there is more consistency in monitoring the standardized dress code and will help teachers to stay focused on teaching students and building relationships.
“Why do we need to have a standardized dress code in Wylie ISD?”
All school districts have dress codes. In 2005, Wylie ISD adopted a standardized dress code. Since that time, we have listened to students and parents and have made modifications to our dress code. Every two years, we work to determine whether or not changes may be necessary. We monitor current trends and seek the input of stakeholders. We want our dress code to work for our students, not against them.
“Will there be days when students do not have to comply with the standardized dress code?”
Yes. Throughout the year, there are days when exceptions are made by district and/or campus administrators. Students are given notice ahead of time and are encouraged to participate in alternate dress days.
“Why is so much time spent enforcing a dress code? Isn’t it more important to teach the students?”
Our main focus revolves around teaching our students and building valuable relationships with them. In order for students to be successful, we need to reduce the amount of distractions which could hinder them from achieving their goals. By enforcing a standardized dress code, we can work to guarantee that students are maintaining an academic focus while also abiding by the expectations of the schools and the district.
We value our parents and community members, and we appreciate the role that you play in helping to guide the students of Wylie ISD. As we embark on a new school year, we ask that you please help us to encourage our students to comply with the standardized dress code. We appreciate the input that has allowed us to make changes to our current plan, and we look forward to continuing to work with you in the future.
If you have additional questions regarding the Wylie ISD standardized dress code, please refer to our standardized dress plan by visiting https://www.wylieisd.net/domain/591.
Thank you for helping us to prepare for the 2017-2018 school year. It is going to be a fabulous year!
