Dress Code/Uniform

Responsibility for the dress and appearance of students enrolled in The School District of Lee County and Gateway Elementary School rests primarily with parents/guardians and the students themselves. Some apparel, however, may not be appropriate to wear to school even though that same apparel may be appropriate to wear in other settings.

The purpose of the Dress Code is to encourage students to focus on the learning process without the distractions of unsuitable dress and grooming. Students shall maintain a clean, orderly appearance at all times.

Personal appearance shall not detract from the educational process. The following establishes the minimum acceptable standards for student dress to be interpreted and enforced by the principal or designee. Each principal has the authority with his or her staff and community, as permitted by The School Board of Lee County policy, to establish additional standards at individual schools.

Do Wear To School:

Don’t Wear To School:

YES - Tennis Shoes/Sneakers are the best choice and the safest choice to wear to school every day. Tennis Shoes/Sneakers must be worn on PE days. Closed-toes shoes with backs securely fastened to the foot are permitted. Shoes must be worn at all times.

NO - Sandals, Flip-flops, Open-toe, Platform shoes, or ‘Skate’ type shoes

YES - Shorts, skirts, dresses must be adequate in length. Apparel needs to be longer than the fingertips extended down the side of the body. Coverage must be appropriate for school.

NO - Shorts, Skirts, Dresses that are at or above fingertip length or are considered inadequate coverage for school.
NO- Leggins or tights are to be worn to compensate for inadequate coverage of a student’s legs because skirt, dress or shorts are too short on the student’s legs.

YES – Pants shall be worn fastened at the waist. If pants fall off the waist then belts are to be worn.
If tights, leggings or jeggings are worn, then the top/shirt must extend below the fingertips to cover the upper thigh and buttocks area.

NO – No undergarments should be showing under or over shirts or pants.
NO- pants with numerous holes, tears,etc if, in the Principal’s judgment, they may cause a disruption to the school environment.

YES – Shirts or blouses appropriately fastened in accord with the design of the shirt or blouse. The length shall extend beyond the waist level and not expose skin while in the sitting position.

NO – Long oversized jerseys are prohibited. (Sport Team Apparel that may be oversized may be worn on designated days.)

YES – Shirts/Dresses/Tops with straps that are at least 3 finger-width.

NO – Transparent or see-through tops, bare midriff, strapless, low-cut clothing, tops/outfits that provide minimum coverage or are of suggestive nature. Halters, backless dresses or tops, tube tops, tank tops, muscle shirts, or any clothing which may be distracting are prohibited.

YES – Earrings that are less than ½ inch in length

NO – Articles of clothing or accessories that could likely cause injury, such as chains, bracelets, rings, chokers with or without spikes/studs, wallet chains, large earrings.
NO – Adornments which are attached or pierced to exposed body parts other than the ears.

YES – Hats, caps, scarves, sunglasses are to be worn outside only during PE or Recess.
YES – We encourage the use of sunscreen which needs to be applied at home before students arrive on campus.

NO – Apparel or symbols which may be gang or cult related. NO – Clothing with symbols, words, abbreviations, slogans, or advertising which, by its controversial or obscene nature, disrupts the educational setting.
NO – Apparel, emblems, insignias, badges, or symbols that promote the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or any other illegal activity.
NO – Gang-related tattoos, or other tattoos that may cause a substantial disruption to the educational environment as determined by the Principal.

YES – Natural hair color or hair color that looks natural.

NO – Hair coloring or style that may cause a substantial disruption to the educational environment, as determined by the Principal.