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Secondary - Dress Code

Secondary - Dress Code

Dress code is frequently a point of contention, frustration, and distraction in Christian schools for students, parents, and faculty. This ought not to be, yet it is. Rather than ignore the reality, perhaps a few pertinent remarks would be helpful.

The Scriptures only touch the issue of dress through principles. A Christian school dress code can be dealt with on a "spiritual" basis only as it relates to biblical principles. The underlying principles are not usually the source of contention. They are more frequently related to institutional preferences, which the school chooses. Two different Christian schools that are equally committed to the Scriptures may have different dress guidelines for their faculty and students, just as churches and families have varying perspectives. Each school necessarily establishes boundaries that conform to its mission.

The principles found in I Timothy 2:9-10; 4:12 and Titus 2:6-8 teach:
(1) Appropriateness – "in harmony with the situation,"
(2) Modesty – "moral sensibility within the bounds of propriety," and
(3) Humility – not "proud or self-assertive." As well, neatness, respect, and gender distinction are basic to the code.

Please Note: The secondary dress code applies to all students in Grades 6-12.

Dress Code for Young Women
Dresses & Skirts are to be no shorter than the top of the kneecap when standing; full enough to be modest when seated (some may meet length requirements when standing, but are immodest when seated). No: slits above the top of the knee, sleeveless dresses, or low-cut front or low-cut back neck lines.

Dress slacks, including capri and flood pants are acceptable. Cords are permitted. Capri, flood pants, and slacks are to be full-cut, not form-fitting. The hem should be neat and not frayed or cut-off. They should be loose enough to be able to gather one inch of material at both the inside and outside seam of each leg. The seams of the undergarments should not be visible through the material. No: jeans, jeans style or denim pants regardless of color, stonewashed, blue cotton/denim pants, bib-overalls, warm-up pants, sweat pants, athletic pants, leather, pleather, stretch pants, leggings, spandex, lycra, tight or baggy styles.

Shorts are NOT permitted. This includes any clothing that does not extend 2" below the knee.

Shirts
Uniform shirts which display the school logo are required. Shirts must be purchased through Madden Corporate Services. A link to the LCS Apparel Store website is available at www.lcsonline.org. Although tops may be untucked, they must be long enough so that no skin shows when the arms are raised above the head. Only the top button may be unbuttoned on shirts. Uniform sweatshirts may also be worn, but only over a uniform shirt. Official LCS team or group shirts and sweatshirts which display a school logo and have been purchased through the school may also be worn.
Shirts may not be altered—layered garments may not be worn over uniform shirts or extend below uniform shirt tail.

Shoes: Any style of shoe is acceptable including flip -flops and sandals.

Hairstyles should not be distracting. No extreme styles. Hair must be kept neat. The administration reserves the right to deem any hairstyle as a violation due to style or color.

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Dress Code for Young Men
Long pants must be neat and dressy. All pants must be worn at the waist. Cords and cargo pants are acceptable. No: jeans, jeans style or denim pants regardless of color, stonewashed, blue cotton/denim pants, bib-overalls, sweat pants, warm-up suits, or athletic pants.

Shorts must be of twill material in a solid color. Worn at the waist, the shorts must come to at least mid-thigh. They may be worn with any dress code shirt.

Shirts
Uniform shirts which display the school logo are required. Shirts must be purchased through Madden Brand High. A link to the LCS Apparel Store website is available at www.lcsonline.org. All shirts must be tucked in. Only the top button may be unbuttoned on shirts. Uniform sweatshirts may also be worn, but only over a uniform shirt. Official LCS team or group shirts and sweatshirts which display a school logo and have been purchased through the school may also be worn.

Hair must be a natural and uniform color; it may not be multi-colored, tipped, or frosted. Hair must be neatly combed and out of the eyes. When combed straight down, it may not extend below the top edge of a dress collar, the middle of the ear, or the bridge of the nose. The measurement of hair will be determined when the hair is combed straight down--not by the hair style. Sideburns may not extend beyond the bottom of the ear. Spiked hair is not permitted.

The administration is the final judge of appropriate hair styles. Violations may result in suspension until the hair is in compliance with code.

Young men must be clean shaven.

Shoes: Dress shoes or athletic shoes may be worn. They must be properly laced. Socks must be worn. Sandals are not acceptable.

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Young Men and Women
Sweaters may be worn, but only over a dress code shirt. Only uniform sweatshirts may be worn. This includes zippered sweatshirts. Lettered or imprinted clothing: No clothing depicting rock music groups, alcohol, or other inappropriate messages; no camouflage clothing. No: excessive jewelry, make-up, or hair styles that the school deems distracting to the atmosphere or mission of LCS. No visible tattoos (permanent or temporary) or visible body piercing jewelry (except for girls' earrings). No hats or bandanas.
No make-up for 6th grade girls except clear lip gloss.

Enforcement
Students who are out of dress code will be removed from class until the violation is corrected. Students are responsible for any work missed in class. In addition to correcting the dress code violation, the student will receive the following disciplinary actions:
First offense: notification of parents
Second offense: after-school detention
Third offense: two after-school detentions
Fourth offense and each violation thereafter will result in a Saturday School.

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Formal Wear
With changes in style it becomes necessary for LCS to draft a dress code for formal events. Young men are to wear a dress coat, dress slacks, and a tie to these events. Young ladies are expected to wear formal dresses that are modest. Some simple guidelines are necessary. There is to be no bare or sheer midriff areas; backs of dresses should be no lower than the middle of the back; and modest fronts should not expose cleavage.

If there is a question about appropriateness, check with the administration at least one week prior to the event. Students who do not meet appropriate dress will not be permitted to attend. This code also applies to non-LCS students who attend as guests.

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Extra Curricular Activities
Students remaining after school for various activities are required to be in modest, suitable attire. Students may not wear shorts with less than a four inch in-seam to any school activity. Shorts with slit sides are not allowed. No clothing which exposes the midriff is allowed. No visible tattoos or body piercing jewelry (except for girls’ earrings) is permitted.

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Note to the Parents
Parents are encouraged to teach their children to live happily and submissively within the code's guidelines. Nitpicking criticism, to which any set of rules is susceptible, creates a spirit of unrest in children. We want to prevent the dress code from becoming a major issue at LCS. Even though we readily acknowledge that much of the dress code is mere institutional preference, it is not optional. Students are expected to comply with the code, and parents are expected to monitor compliance before their children leave home. We are not here to be "clothes police." It is inappropriate that complying students, teachers, or principals be distracted from the educational process due to someone’s failing in his or her commitment to follow the code. Final authority regarding code interpretation rests with the administration.

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