UC Schools To Resume Previous Dress Code

By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director

Union City, Tenn.–With the beginning of the 2022-23 school year a little more than two weeks away, students in the Union City School System and their parents are preparing “to return to the norm.”

The UCSS will adhere to the dress code in place before the past three years when numerous factors interrupted and caused changes to those guidelines.

There will be some exceptions and modifications to the previous rules.

Among those are:

• Spirit Wear will be allowed daily for students at Union City Elementary and UC Middle School.
• Spirit Wear will be permitted on Fridays and special occasions at Union City High School.
• Pants of all solid colors – except white – will be allowed to be worn by all students.
• All students may wear solid color long-sleeved T-shirts as undergarments.
• Shirts must be tucked in at all times for students in Grades 5-12.
• The hem of all students’ shorts should touch students’ fingertips when standing.

The following is acceptable attire for UC Schools students for the coming year.

Shirts

• Solid color with a collar and sleeves (polo shirt is an example but not the only alternative) will be allowed. Shirts should be designed to be buttoned to the neck. Only the top button may remain unfastened. Turtleneck or mock turtleneck shirts cannot be worn alone but may be worn as an undergarment. Long-sleeve t-shirts may also be worn as an undergarment.
• Shirts should be tucked in at all times (Grades 5-12).
• Shirts should be sized to fit, neither skintight nor oversized.
• Shirts should have no design or printing other than a small manufacturer or school logo that can be covered with a 3/5” x 2” business card. (The logo of UC School is exempted from this size requirement.)
• Shirts should have no holes or tears.

Pants 

• Pants should be sized to fit, neither skintight, oversized, sagging, nor dragging the ground or floor.
• Pants should have no embroidery, sequins, beads, appliqués, patches, or other decorations.
• Pants should have no holes, tears, or shredded hemlines.
• Pants should be a solid color. No white pants allowed.
• Shorts of the above-listed colors that touch the end of the student’s fingertips when standing are allowed.
• Capris are acceptable in the above-listed colors.
• No sweatpants, wind pants, or pajama pants are allowed. No overalls.
• Pants must have belt loops, and a belt must be worn (Grades 5-12).
• No ties or bands on pant legs.

Skirts, Dresses, Jumpers

• Dresses & jumpers must conform to the shirt standards and be a solid color, with collar and sleeves.

Jumpers must be worn with a solid collared shirt underneath.

• Skirts or skorts must be a solid color (no white). Hemlines must at least touch the end of the student’s fingertips when standing.
• Leggings/tights will be allowed under skirts. The skirt worn over the leggings must at least touch the end of the student’s fingertips when standing.

Outer Garments

• UC “Spirit Wear” sweatshirts without hoodsare allowed and are not required to be tucked in but must be no longer than hip level.

• In grades 9-12, a solid color collared shirt or solid color turtleneck must be worn under the sweatshirt.

• Vests are not allowed.

Sweaters and Pullovers

• Solid colored sweaters and pullovers with no offensive writing or symbols may be worn and do not have to be tucked into the waistband.
• A solid-colored collared shirt must be worn under the sweater or pullover.
• Shirts should have no design or printing other than a small manufacturer or school logo that can be covered with a 3/5” x 2” business card. (The logo of UC School is exempted from this size requirement.)
• Flannel shirts and full-zip jackets are not considered a pullover or sweater and are not allowed.

Shoes

• For safety reasons, shoes must be laced, tied, strapped, or hooked, if intended.
• Sandals, loafers, and boots are permitted. House shoes are not permitted.
• For safety reasons, heel height is limited to 1.5” in grades K-5.
• Socks do not have to be a solid color.

Spirit Wear

The building principal may designate days as “School Spirit Days.” During these days, allowances for standard dress may be amended. However, the guidelines regarding neatness, safety, and modes of apparel will be adhered to on these days.

Spirit Wear t-shirts may be worn every day in Grades PK-8. The shirts must be sized to fit with some type of “UC” logo. Solid purple or gold t-shirts will also be allowed.

Pants should follow standard dress code rules.

In grades K-2, cheerleading uniforms with matching trunks will be allowed. If the top is sleeveless, a shirt must be worn underneath.

The following clothing items are considered to be inappropriate and cannot be worn inside the school building:

• Clothing with a low-cut neckline or clothing that exposes midriffs or backs
• See-through clothing.
• Sleepwear
• Coats, jackets, hooded clothing, shawls, ponchos, and raincoats
• Hats, bandanas, head scarves, neck scarves, sweatbands, stocking caps, hair racks/combs, hair rollers, rakes, “do-rags”, grills, sunglasses, and other distracting apparel

While not considered student dress, the following can cause a distraction to the regular educational process and will not be allowed:

• Body piercing, except for traditional pierced earlobes for ornamental earrings, will not be allowed.
• Haircuts, hairstyles, or hair colors that are non-traditional to the point of causing distraction are not allowed.
• Excessively long fingernails are not allowed.

The principal or designee has the authority to determine if any attire is improper and interferes with the teaching/learning process or is prejudicial to good order at school. A religious exemption can be based on the religion of the parent or the religion of the student, but the parent must apply for the exemption in either case. A medical exemption can be based on the medical needs of the students, but the parent must apply for the exemption.

COMPLIANCE

First violation: The school shall attempt to call the student’s parent or guardian to determine whether the student has standard clothing. If the student does not have standard clothing, the school should request that the parent bring the standard clothing to the school. If the parent cannot be reached or cannot provide standard clothing, the student will be placed in in-school suspension for the remainder of the day.

Second violation: The student shall receive detention/in-school suspension, depending upon the severity of the infraction.

Third violation: The student shall receive in-school suspension.

Fourth and Subsequent violation: The student shall receive an out-of-school suspension. The parent must meet with the principal before the student will be given permission to re-enter.