Student Dress Standard

In accordance with the resolution regarding a Student Dress Standard policy by the Chicago School Reform Board of Trustees, Kennedy High School. . . has a legitimate goal of eliminating gang related activities . . . and providing the children who attend Chicago Public Schools with a safe environment within which to learn; and . . . has a legitimate goal to instill discipline and create a positive educational environment . . . has a legitimate goal of eliminating competition concerning dress and deemphasizing the socioeconomic differences of students to promote a more effective climate for learning and . . . a student’s dress must not disrupt the educational process, interfere with the maintenance of a positive teaching and learning climate or compromise reasonable standards of health, safety and decency . 

The Local School Council has determined that Kennedy High School shall establish and enforce a student dress standard effective September 1996. Kennedy High School will have a student dress standard rather than a school uniform. Instead of having a specific uniform to be purchased from one source, a student dress standard was developed specifying the general appearance desired with clothing that could be purchased from a variety of ordinary discount and department stores.

The Kennedy Student Dress Standard is:

1. No identified gang symbols or color identifiers are permitted. No graphics or designs of any kind shaved into hair. No tattoos, jewelry, or other symbolic accessories that   may identify gangs. No gym shoes that signify any type of gang affiliation are allowed. The ultimate authority in determining if a symbol, etc., represents gang affiliation will be the Dean of Discipline, the Chicago Police officers assigned to the school or the principal’s designee.

2. ID’s must be worn below the neck and above the waist at chest level on the front part of the body at all times. 

3. Shirt or blouse shall be solid white, long or short sleeve, with a collar. No large emblems or logos are permitted except those that are school related. Shirts or blouses   must be buttoned to the top excluding top button for comfort. Plunging necklines and cleavage are not permitted. Undershirts MUST be worn UNDER the white collared shirt.

4. Trousers, slacks, sweatpants, or a skirt shall be SOLID NAVY BLUE OR BLACK ONLY and worn at the waist, with a belt if necessary. No bare midriffs or underwear shall   be exposed. Skirt lengths should be no shorter than two inches above the knee. Pant legs may NOT be cinched with rubber bands or other objects or tight rolled. Jeans, denim, or denim look-alike materials are not permitted for any reason.

5. Solid navy blue or black Shorts shall be worn no more than two inches above the knee during the month of September and after May 1st. Denim shorts are NOT permitted. Long navy blue pants or skirt (see #4) must be worn from October through April.

6. Students may wear solid white, solid navy blue, or solid black non-hooded sweat shirts or sweaters. Hooded sweatshirts or “Hoodies” are NOT PERMITTED.

7. Shoes must be white, black, blue, brown, or some combination of these 4 colors ONLY. No other colors on shoes are permitted. Shoe laces must only be white, black, or brown. Shoes and laces must be alike. For health and safety reasons flip flops, open-toed shoes, backless shoes, sandals, and slippers are NOT permitted.

8. No head coverings are to be worn inside the building, including scarves, headbands, hats, “doo rags”, and sweatbands. (Religious reasons are the exception)

9. Excessively large buckles, studs, or other adornments, which could be used as weapons or construed as gang insignia, are not permitted. Key chains, wallet chains, etc., must not be excessively large.

10. Clothing should be a normal fit without being excessively baggy/loose or excessively tight.

11. Kennedy apparel may be worn at any time under the stipulation that the article of clothing has a Kennedy logo on it and has been created or endorsed by an employee of the school. This includes but is not limited to shirts, pants, non-hooded sport jackets or sweatshirts. No Kennedy headwear may be worn at any time. Kennedy shorts may be worn during the approved months (See standard #5) Students are prohibited from wearing Kennedy PE clothes in any class other than PE.

12. All sports, clubs, and other school sponsored uniform apparel must be consistent with the School’s Student Dress Standard. School colors of royal blue and gold along with white, navy blue, and grey are acceptable.

14. Any parent or guardian may appeal any part of this dress standard on behalf of the student. Appeals need to be in writing and discussed with the principal’s designee.

15. Violations of the Kennedy Dress Standard will be handled in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct (SCC) of the Chicago Public Schools, Group 2 – 5.

16. Under some conditions certain students may have designated elements of the student dress waived. A waiver from the student dress standard must be approved by the administration for a team, club, or organization.