West Deptford Dress Code Goes Online; School Board Seeks Feedback

The next step in considering ’s potential new standardized school dress code is underway, with a draft version of the dress code and a feedback form live on the district’s website.

The code spells out everything from appropriate shirts and pants to footwear, jewelry and head coverings, and draws some distinctions between younger students in fourth grade and below and middle and high school students.

The version that went online is identical to one that had been circulating prior to Monday night’s school board meeting, .

Parents at that meeting criticized the idea, calling it unnecessary, expensive and intrusive.

“It's not appropriate for a public school system to take that responsibility away from us as parents,” Bill Connelly said at the meeting.

An informal poll on Patch seemed to confirm that sentiment, with roughly 54 percent of respondents through Thursday night saying they didn't favor the new dress code.

School board President Christopher Strano said the final call on the proposal will come down to whether it improves the learning environment.

“We have a great school system,” he said. “We're trying to make it better.”

The board noted the sample dress code posted on the district’s site is not necessarily the final version, but would serve as a framework, should there be support for the policy.

The dress code and accompanying frequently asked questions are posted above as PDFs, and to offer feedback on the proposed code, visit the district’s website.