Dear Young Men’s Leadership Academy Families,

Dress codes are an important part of the climate of schools. At Young Men’s Leadership Academy at Kennedy, it is no different. Our goal is to always provide an environment that is free of distractions, safe, orderly and conducive to learning. We have sincerely attempted to enforce the current dress code at our school this year, but have found it to be unclear in many ways and therefore, unfair to our students. As a result, the attached document will outline the new YMLA at Kennedy school student dress code. This represents many months of work on the part of students, parents and school staff. We began this process by discussing the concerns about our current dress code and then researching dress codes from other schools around our state and nation. From an administrative perspective, this new dress code will be easier to enforce, it will emphasize a standard of excellence for our young men, and it will further make YMLA a distraction free environment.

Students will now have the opportunity to dress in a true uniform manner with black pants or slacks, solid red or white polo shirts or button-up dress shirts, solid black or brown shoes and black blazers. Students are encouraged to wear a red or black tie or bow tie with black blazers. Khaki pants/slacks will no longer be a part of the uniform here at YMLA. In addition, it is important to inform you that all of our young men will be required to wear a black or brown belt around their waist. Specific examples of our new uniform offerings are posted in our office and can be found on our website at http://www.gpisd.org/Page/65

It is our goal to clearly communicate this information as the new dress code will be strictly enforced beginning the first day of the 2017 - 2018 school year. It is indeed extremely exciting for us to know that we are providing our parents advanced notice of the new dress code. We have made a conscious effort to allow our parents the proper time to plan for spring and summer shopping that is forthcoming. We are sending this information to you now so that you can plan accordingly. In an effort to ensure effective and efficient communication, we will also post this information on our school website and send an additional mailing via skyward later in the summer as a reminder.

If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 972.522.3601 or Avesgus.tetterton@gpisd.org. Thank you for your support of this effort to further develop distinguished young men of excellence. We look forward to working with you during the coming school year.

Sincerely,

Avesgus Tetterton Avesgus Tetterton Principal at YMLA at Kennedy

YMLA Dress Code 2017 – 2018

1. PANTS: a. Appropriate fitting black slacks (no black jeans) b. No jeans or jean style pants regardless of material (no pants with rivets or pockets sewn onto exterior of pants) c. No shorts d. No cargo type pants e. No sagging or skinny style pants f. No jogger style pants (elastic waistbands and elastic cuffs on pant legs) g. Pants must be pulled over shoes and Not tucked into shoes or cuffed

2. SHIRTS: a. Solid red or white; button up or polo style shirts (No designs, patterns, or logos) b. Shirts tucked in at all times

3. COLD WEATHER SHIRTS: a. Solid black sweaters, sweatshirts or fleeces (no patterns, designs, or logos)

i.Collared shirt must be worn and visible underneath b. No heavy jackets or hoodies worn inside the building c. Thin solid black business casual jackets will be allowed (no colored zippers).

4. Belts are required. (Black or Brown) 5. Appropriate hairstyles and jewelry

a. No hairstyle resembling mohawks or blowouts b. No designs, etching, or parts cut in the students hair or eyebrows c. All student hair must be a solid natural color. No natural or non-natural highlights are allowed in the students hair. d. Necklaces must be tucked underneath student’s clothing. e. No studded earrings larger than a number 2 pencil eraser. No spiked earrings are allowed.

6. Shoes: a. Dress Shoes: solid black or brown dress shoes or Sperry style shoe to be worn while at school b. Tennis shoes:

i.Allowable colors: Black or Brown ii.No accent colors of any amount, size, or colors other than black.

7. Students must wear a YMLA ID around their neck AT ALL TIMES while on campus. 8. Black Suits, ties, and bow ties are acceptable any time.

Students in attendance at YMLA will abide by the above dress code every day of the school year however on occasion students will be given a wrist band indicating they have a free dress or jeans day. The administration reserves the right to determine whether any current fashion or fad is appropriate for school wear and to require any student to change his attire if it is not found acceptable. If not found acceptable or corrected, the student shall be placed in an alternate classroom/ISS until the dress code is resolved.

2017 - 2018 School Dress Code

Shirts:

● Solid Red ● Solid White

Sweaters:

● Solid black sweater vest ● Solid black sweatshirt (no hoodies)

Black Blazers and vest are accepted as well

Shirts must not include designs, patterns, or

logos.

Belts : (Required)

● Solid black

● Solid brown

Pants : Solid Black (Pants must not include rivets or exterior pockets. No

cargo style pants.)

Black Jackets Only

( No Hooded jackets )

Shoes:

● Solid Black ● Solid Dark brown