Newport Schools Will Enforce Tighter Dress Code

In light of parental opposition to the Newport School Committee’s proposal of a the committee turned its attention to strictly enforcing an amended school dress code policy at all levels.

The committee issued its first reading of the dress code policy, which “tightens everything up,” committee member Sandra J. Flowers said.

“The thing that came across loud and clear was the need to enforce policies we already have,” committee member Jo Eva Gaines said, referring to public workshops and forums held to discuss the issue. “We will make progress if we simply enforce what we already have and give kids a sense of appropriateness.”

Under the proposed uniform code of dress, students in the elementary schools and would have had to wear similar khaki pants and polo shirts to school.

Dress code regulations under the current policy are less stringent and specific regarding what is and is not appropriate. It states articles of clothing not allowed at school include hats, clothing with obscene, drug, alcohol or violence-related references, and that shorts may only be worn in the first and fourth quarters of the school year. Presently, tank tops, strapless dresses, midriff-baring, halter and tube tops and “disruptive” clothing and jewelry in general are also not allowed.

Under the amended policy, the school department would impose more clearly defined rules. “Hats” has been expanded to hats, hoods, headscarves or any headgear not allowed during school hours.

Muscle shirts and any item of clothing showing a student’s underwear has also been added to the list of “unacceptable” forms of dress. Students will also not be allowed to wear slippers, pajamas, sweatpants or “other similar clothing,” and inappropriately sized clothing, to school.

Another addition to the policy states that “tops must either overlap the bottom layer (pants, shorts, skirts or skorts) or be tucked into the bottom layer at all times, so that no midriffs are showing.” The amended dress code also calls for pants to be appropriately sized and fitted at the waists. Dresses must be at least mid-thigh in length.

Pre-k though Grade 8 students will not be allowed to wear flip-flops or sandals, and will be required to wear shoes with enclosed toes and backs with low heels.

According to the new policy, students who fail to comply with the dress code will be issued one verbal warning and a long Newport Public Schools shirt to wear during the day if they are not provided with appropriate clothing. A repeat offense will result in a written warning to his or her parent or guardian. An in-person conference will be scheduled if a student has three failures to comply with the dress code, and a detention will be issued for the fourth offense.