Uniform and Dress Code Policy

Louisa Boren STEM K-8 has a mandatory school uniform and dress code policy. We believe our uniform policy will create a safe, scholarly, professional atmosphere that will help students be proud members of this learning community. This policy can be amended by the school staff at any point.  

Why Uniforms?

STEM is a place where kids should know they are doing something very important – this is their uniform for learning. 

The uniform goes far to increase safety; reduce distractions; communicate to the students, staff, and the community that we are serious about learning at STEM; is more equitable for our community: enables teachers to truly see the student as a student; encourage students to see beyond external attributes and get to know their classmates on the basis of who they are; along with many other reasons.

Uniform Overview

• Solid colored (white, navy, or black) collared shirt.
• Plain navy, black or khaki slacks, skirts, jumpers, shorts, skorts or collared dresses.

Important Information

• STEM students with clothing-related religious practices may modify the uniform (e.g. head scarves). 
• This is a gender-neutral uniform policy. Students can wear whatever part of the school uniform they feel comfortable wearing. 
• STEM students with special needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. 
• STEM students should wear clothing appropriate for our active work in the classroom, on the playground, at gym, and on expeditions. 
• The faculty and administration believe that the STEM uniform should not be used as a punishment (or conversely “free dress days” should not be used as a reward) for behavior or academic issues of any kind.
• When STEM middle school students have science class their attire should meet classroom safety expectations:
  No skin showing on arms or legs. 
  No baggy clothing. 
  Shirts must be tucked in. 
  Long hair tied back.

Uniform Details

Uniform Colors

• Black (pure black, not gray)
• White (pure white, off white or cream)
• Navy (very dark blue)
• Khaki (light tan)

Shirts

• Plain Shirts = 
a shirt without stripes, plaids, or large decorations.
• Small brand logos are acceptable. A logo will be smaller than two inches.
• The policy requires shirts with collars. Examples: blouse, button-down, or polo style shirt or long-sleeved shirt with collar.

•  Collared shirts can be layered with non-collared, hoodless items in solid uniform colors (white, black, navy). 

Pants, Shorts, Skirts, and Skorts 

•   Pants, shorts, skirts and skorts may not be denim, stretch fabric or sweatpants. Examples of non-uniform pants are jeans, rip stop nylon, sweats, stretch pants, leggings, or athletic / yoga / running pants. 
• They may not be plaid or striped, or have decorations other than a small logo. 
• Plain navy blue, black or white tights or leggings can be paired with skirts, shorts, or dresses, but not worn alone.

Dresses

• Dresses may be jumper-style, in STEM uniform colors (white, black, navy blue, khaki) worn with a STEM uniform shirt.
• Dresses may also be shirt-style, like polo-shirt style dresses.
• Dresses need a collar.

Socks, Shoes and Boots

• Students are not required to wear socks.
• Socks of any color are allowed.
• Leggings or tights (worn under skirts or dresses) must be in STEM uniform colors (black, navy blue, khaki, white) and undecorated.
• Students must wear closed toe shoes or boots. Examples include: sneakers, shoes, closed-toed sandals (i.e. Keens) or boots of any type or color.
• Shoes with wheels, Heelys, or other rolling shoes are not allowed at school.
• • Your child will be running at school at recess and during Gym. Please send your child in shoes that allow for running.

Accessories and Outerwear

• No accessories are required of any student (ties, belts, etc are not required).
• Hats, hoods, and outerwear can be worn going to or coming from the cafeteria and outside.  
• Outerwear includes jackets, coats, hooded items, and any other item that doesn’t conform to uniform policy.  
• Students may wear accessories (belts, hair accessories, jewelry) as long as such accessories are not disruptive to learning, for themselves or their co-students. 
• Backpacks, school bags, and outerwear are not controlled by the uniform policy. 
•  Other uniforms (such as sport team or scout uniforms) are not in uniform at STEM. 

STEM Spirit Wear Day Policy
Students can wear shirts (including any t-shirts, sweat shirts, hoodies, in long or short sleeves) with any uniform bottom. Shirts for sprit wear days include:
• Approved sprit wear (STEM logo)
• With any owl(s) on it (shirt in any color) 
• Any STEM sports team uniform
• Plain (no graphics or logos) blue shirts 
• Plain (no graphics or logos) green shirts 
Spirit wear days are optional, please dress in uniform if you choose not to participate.

Last Updated August 2017