Dress Code Policy

DRESS CODE POLICY Approved July 22nd, 2010

Rilke Schule expressly does not have a school uniform intended to make all students look the same. We have a dress code that aims to promote a sense of belonging and pride in our school, respect for our educational environment, and to reduce any sense of inequality of personal dress. Faculty and staff need not abide by this dress code, but are expected to dress in a business professional manner.

BASIC DRESS CODE:
Students shall wear solid colored clothing without contrasting logos. This includes any colorshirt, blouse, or dress with a collar and sleeves; and pants, shorts, skirts, skorts or jumpers that are black, brown, grey, olive, navy blue, or khaki.

EXCEPTIONS:

Students may wear any solid color clothing with a Rilke Schule logo of any kind on any day.
Students in grades 6,7, and 8 may wear collared shirts with stripes and plaids.
Traditional, appropriate Dirndls, Lederhosen, and Kniebundhosen may be worn on any day.
Dress Code Rules are suspended on monthly Theme Days.
Students and staff may wear blue jeans one designated Friday a month.
One Friday a month is Dressy Friday.
Boy Scout and Girl Scout uniforms are allowed on meeting days.

Theme Days, Blue Jean Fridays, and Dressy Fridays
The student council will define monthly theme days with the Principal’s approval. The dates for Theme Days, Blue Jean Fridays, and Dressy Fridays will be posted with at least two weeks notice. On Theme Days, students may dress in either standard dress code clothing or according to the theme chosen for the day. On Blue Jean Fridays students may dress in either standard Rilke Schule dress code bottoms or wear blue jeans. On Dressy Fridays students may dress in either standard Rilke Schule dress code clothing or more formal attire including dresses, skirts, and suits with patterns or designs. For all exception days, ASD dress guidelines of modest, non-offensive apparel and proper appearance still apply.

Field Trip Days
Students are encouraged to wear tops with Rilke Schule logos when their class participates in a field trip outside the school.

General Clarifications:

Clothing must be clean and, if torn, well-mended.
All clothing must be appropriately sized, no more than one size larger or smaller than the student actually measures.
Hats or other headgear (hoods, caps, visors, and bandanas) must be removed from the head upon entering the building and may not be carried during the school day. Hooded clothing is allowed as long as the hood is down inside the building.
Clothes that drag on the floor, posing a tripping hazard, are not allowed.
Extra wide/ long/baggy/sagging clothing is not acceptable.
Mesh, fishnet, spandex, sheer, see-through, shiny, or noisy fabrics are not allowed.
Clothing that exposes the back, chest, shoulders, or midriff may not be worn.
Display of undergarments is not allowed.
Skirts, skorts, shorts, jumpers, over-alls, and dresses cannot be shorter than four finger-widths above the knee.

Shirts and Tops:
Shirts, blouses and dresses must be a solid color with sleeves and a collar, unless they are any Rilke Schule t-shirts.
Shirt hems that extend past the bottom of the back pants pockets must be tucked in.
Shirts should be buttoned above the chest line.
Solid colored, long and short-sleeved t-shirts can be worn underneath collared shirts.
Solid colored over shirts with no contrasting logos are allowed. This includes sweaters, vests, cardigans, and sweatshirts with or without a hood.
Solid colored turtlenecks are allowed.

Bottoms:
Bottoms include pants, skirts, shorts, skorts, and jumpers.
Bottoms must be worn at the waist and completely zipped or fastened.
All bottoms must be black, brown, grey, olive, navy blue, or khaki.
Capris and cargo pants (with side pockets) are allowed as long as they are fitted, not baggy.
No jeans (denim), track, or sweat pants are allowed during the regular school day.
Leggings may not be worn as pants.

Footwear:
Children are expected to have weather-appropriate footwear securely attached to their feet.
Shoes must be tied or appropriately fastened for safety reasons.
Shoes must have hard soles and be sturdy enough to withstand an evacuation drill.
Blinking sneakers are not allowed in the classroom but are acceptable as athletic shoes for Phys Ed.
Heeleys are not allowed.
Excessively high or spiked heels that are unsafe are not allowed.

Accessories:
Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are allowed.
Light, solid colored nail polish is allowed. Bright, vibrant, or dark nail polish and nail art is not allowed.
Light make-up is a privilege reserved for students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
Tights or socks of any color, design, or pattern should be worn at all times.
Leggings of any color, design, or pattern can be worn underneath skirts, skorts, dresses, and jumpers.
Ties of any color, design, or pattern may be worn.
Accessories must not be a safety hazard or distracting.
Chains, dog collars, or bracelets and necklaces with spikes are not allowed.
Tattoos and facial jewelry are not allowed.
Sunglasses or contact lenses which obscure the eyes are not allowed indoors.

Hair:
Hair dye or bleach is not allowed.
Hair styles or excessive hair decorations that are obvious distractions are not allowed.
Hair should be neat and clean and not covering the eyes.
Outerwear: There are no dress guidelines for outerwear, other than that outside clothing (i.e. boots, hats, gloves, windbreakers, etc.) should be weather-appropriate and may not be worn in the classrooms during the regular school day.

The administration reserves the right to make changes to the dress guidelines. Exceptions to the dress code can be made for special occasions (such as plays and performances).

Where to get it!!
Although Rilke Schule has a dress code rather than a required uniform, parents may find it easier and less expensive to buy certain items through a uniform catalog. There are a number of places that have suitable clothing:

French Toast (www.frenchtoast.com) carries quality, reasonably priced items.
Lands’ End School Uniforms will outfit your boys and girls in clothing that meets dress codes and exceeds expectations! Its very durable. Shop online at www.landsend.com/school. Take advantage of their 3% cash back program and use our school code 9001-2148-4 when ordering, and Rilke Schule will get credit.
JC Penney also has quality dress code suitable clothing. http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp.
We have our own Rilke Schule Used Clothing Exchange that we hold a few times a year as well. Save your outgrown, gently used uniform clothes for the exchange. Receive ‘Rilke Bucks’ for everything you donate that can be used for ‘new’ used clothing! Prices for the used clothing are $1 for tops, $2 for pants, shorts and skirts, and $3 for dresses, sweaters, jackets and shoes. The used clothing exchange is looking for a coordinator. Please contact Kelda Barstad with questions at (907) 947-9640 or keldaolene@yahoo.com.
Send in pictures of your favorite student in their Rilke Dress Code clothing and we will gladly post them here!