The goal of the OTA uniform policy is not to prevent students from expressing their style but to help them concentrate*, while they are in school, on academics and on long-term goals. A second important goal is to help them get up and out the door every morning. On the weekends and on in-school free dress days they will have many chances to break out of the restrictions of the uniform, or in OTA’s case, the multiform, guidelines.
What Do Students Think of Uniforms? Many (secretly) Like Them
Ask students what they think of uniforms and–if they are in front of other students–you will often get a laundry list of complaints. Ask students (who already go to a school with uniforms) privately what they really think and you are more likely to hear something like this: “It’s the first day of school and you have to find the perfect outfit to make a good impression. Lucky for me, I don’t have this problem: my private school requires I wear a uniform. Some may think this is not a good idea, but I think it is very positive.
In school, one of the most important things is your style. The more you have, the more popular and noticed you will probably be. With uniforms, there’s no discrimination because of what you’re wearing. Everyone is united under the same style.
Clothing often reflects who you are and who you socialize with. In most schools, there are groups of students who dress alike. All the jocks dress differently from the preps who have a different style from the punks. You may even avoid a particular person because of what they are wearing. Uniforms require students to get to know each other by finding out about who they really are….”
*OTA Student Free Speech Policy
State and federal laws and SDUSD policy govern the individual rights and responsibilities of students in the exercise of free speech on school grounds outside the classroom situation. This includes the distribution of literature, publicity, use of bulletin boards, nonschool publications, the spoken word, symbolic speech (buttons, arm bands, flags), and petitions, consistent with OTA uniform policy.
Guidance for Free Dress Days (Based on San Diego Unified District-wide standards)
Tops
- Shirts and blouses may be either short or long-sleeved, but shoulders must be covered at all times. Exposed midsections are not acceptable.
- Sweaters and jackets of an appropriate size and length may be worn over, but not in place of, an appropriate shirt.
- Hooded sweatshirts are not a substitute for an appropriate shirt.
Bottoms
- Appropriate FREE DRESS DAYS attire includes long pants, shorts or skirts worn with the waistband at the waist. Excessively baggy or tight pants are not acceptable. (This includes “skinny” jeans.)
- ON FREE DRESS DAYS: Jeans in good repair are acceptable.
- Skirts and shorts worn on FREE DRESS DAYS must be of acceptable length. (They must reachto the longest part of the student’s hand when arms are held straight at the side.)
Footwear
- Shoes should be comfortable, supportive and allow the student to actively participate in is/her physical education classes.
- Flip flops and slippers are never allowed.
Jewelry
- Simple studs in the ears are allowed. Jewelry in piercings other than ears shall not be worn at school.
- Students should avoid dangling jewelry, especially earrings and other jewelry that could cause injury (including gauges in the ears.)
Other
- Students are expected to demonstrate respect for themselves and others. With this in mind: there should be no writing on one’s own body or anyone else’s body.
Clothing Never Appropriate for School
Tops
Tops that expose shoulders, backs, bellies and/or undergarments should be avoided. This includes:
- tank tops and shirts with spaghetti straps.
- see-through clothing.
- low-cut tops exposing cleavage.
- strapless, backless or halter tops.
Generally Inappropriate Clothing
Clothing or accessories which advertise or denote profanity, sexual topics or innuendo are not permitted.
Clothing which promotes:
- gang affiliation
- alcohol, drugs or tobacco
- violent slogans or images
are also not permitted.