Dear Jaguars,

Many of you have seen the following message regarding our expectation for dress at Johnson. As we get ready to go shopping for the upcoming school year, I just wanted to send a quick reminder about our expectations at Johnson. For those who are new to Johnson, the following dress code policy is very similar to that on the rules located in the NEISD Student/Parent Handbook.

If you have any questons, please feel free to call or e-mail me.

Thanks,

As our students rest and enjoy the pool, Fiesta Texas, Sea World, or other fun activities, I know, as a parent, how quickly the summer months pass by. Before you know it, we are in the malls, retail stores, and clothing stores looking for the right outfit that will make your student happy while satisfying the District’s expectation for dress. As a parent of two teenage daughters, I understand the challenges you face and I just wanted to be sure you had this information in advance.

As many of you know, I believe there is a time and place for the way we dress. We dress differently, for example, attending a wedding than we would if we were going to the movies. School, in my opinion, is a place of respect and dignity, and we should dress accordingly. This is why, I believe, the District has established a dress code policy located in the Student/Parent Handbook.

As a result of some discussion from our staff and parental suggestions, we have addressed some confusion in the dress code policy and clarified some of the “gray” areas. There are a few seemingly problematic areas being observed at Johnson that relate to spaghetti straps, pajama bottoms, sagging pants, and shorts that are too short. A simple rule to follow for spaghetti straps is that if we can see undergarments, they are too thin. If the shorts’ hemline is above a student’s fingertips, the shorts are too short. This rule also includes gym or running shorts.

The guidelines listed below are taken from the NEISD Student/Parent Code of Conduct. The last thing we want to do is make any student feel uncomfortable at school. When students are questioned about dress, it can cause anxiety and embarrassment to students. To help avoid these emotions, please be sure to have all students wear clothing that falls within the established guidelines. Personally I will not send my own kids to school in an outfit that MAY be out of dress code. If I am not sure if it falls within the guidelines, then they are not to wear it at school. I try not to place them in a questionable outfit in which a principal has to make a call on dress.

Here are some simple guidelines as reminders for proper attire.

n  Straps on shoulders must be at least wide enough to cover undergarment straps. A suggested strap width is two inches wide. Any straps less than two inches may cause an interpretive opinion by a teacher or principal. If we see undergarment, then the strap is too thin.

nNo racer-back type shirt as they have a tendency to reveal undergarments.

nNo hats of any kind shall be worn in the building. Hats will be confiscated and returned to a parent.

n No facial piercing including nose, tongue, eye brow, etc. Piercing is only allowed in the ear. Piercing items will be confiscated and returned to a parent.

n  No tank tops or sleeveless undershirts (boys) to be worn alone. Boys can wear tank tops as long as there is a shirt underneath.

n   No midriffs, including when arms are raised, will be acceptable.

n  Long shirts will be tucked in, especially when students are sagging their pants (Longer than the fingertips).

n  Shorts/skirts/dresses/gym or biker shorts are measured by the finger-tips of the student (all non-school related clothing)(shorts seem to be the main issue here).

n  No baggy or sagging pants (do not want to see underwear)

n  No torn or frayed skirts, shorts or jeans (very interpretive, but don’t need excessive holes in jeans).

n  No low cut blouses.

n  No “unusual” (blue, red, green, etc) colored hair.

n  No Mohawks or spiked hair is allowed.

n  No pajama bottoms or house slippers.

n  All other guidelines listed in the handbook will be enforced.

There may be incidents in which dress may be in the gray area. But, as the student handbook reads, “While it is inevitable that there will be differences of opinion as to the appropriateness of dress and grooming, the final determination will be made by the building principal.” Remember, our school looks good because our kids look good. Students found in violation of the dress code will be asked to put on a pair of sweats (for pant/shorts issue) or a Johnson t-shirt (for a shirt issue). Students will NOT be allowed to change into other clothing he/she may have brought to school or stored in a locker. Several violations will result in a parent conference with a principal and/or ISS assignment. 

I truly appreciate all the support you have been giving us as we continue to prepare all our students for future successes. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me anytime or send a quick e-mail.

Respectfully,

John Mehlbrech
Principal