Students to switch to uniforms this fall

Johnakin Middle School students will begin wearing uniforms when they return to school this fall. The Marion County school sent letters explaining the "Uniform Dress Code" to all JMS parents on May 8, after the Marion School District 1 Board of Trustees approved the policy in April. Board members gave approval for JMS' administrative team to implement the dress code, which came after several months of review by and with the support and endorsement of the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, JMS School Improvement Council, JMS Parent Teacher Organization and the JMS Pastoral Group.

The dress code will serve many purposes at Johnakin Middle School, school officials say. It will reduce fashion competition among students, reduce the presence of gang symbols and make clothes more affordable for parents. Also, it allows faculty and staff greater ease in identifying students and recognizing those who should not be on campus. Also, uniforms will help reduce the number of distractions among students and allow them to focus more on their studies, Laura Atkinson, media specialist at the school, said. Atkinson also fills the role of being a public relations liaison with area media and writes press releases. In order for parents to begin preparing for the upcoming school year (2008-09), Atkinson said the letter was sent home, spelling out specifics.

According to the policy, all Johnakin Middle School students will wear uniforms to school and to school functions. Anytime the students are on the middle school property, they must be in uniform. There may be special occasions when the principal will grant students the right to wear regular clothes.

The JMS dress code:

Pants: Khaki pants, capris, skirts, shorts; though no cargo style pants are allowed.
Brown belts must be worn.
All pants must be worn appropriately at the waist without sagging and they should not be tight-fitting.
Skirts or shorts must be at least finger tip length.
No leggings may be worn.
Shirts: Long or short sleeve polo shirts (solid colored) as appropriate to the grade. School grade colors are gold, 6th grade; hunter green, 7th grade; royal blue, 8th grade.
All shirts must be tucked in (girls and boys).
Undershirts must be white.
White thermals may be worn underneath shirts.
Shoes: No bedroom shoes. No heels higher than one inch. No shoes with wheels. Shoes must be tied, buckled or worn as the manufacturer intended. Shoes that cause undue attention are prohibited.
Coats and jackets: No coats or jackets can be worn in the hallways. They must be taken off upon entering the building. Students may wear a lightweight jacket inside the classroom. Seventh and eighth grade students may store coats or jackets in their lockers. Sixth grade students must carry or keep jackets in their bag. No article of clothing may be tied around the waist.
Headwear: Hair bows and ribbons are acceptable headwear. No hats, bandanas, picks, rags, scarves or sunglasses can be worn as headwear.
Jewelry: Small earrings may be worn. No large, dangling earrings or bracelets may be worn. Necklaces must be worn inside the shirt.
ID Cards: ID cards must be worn and visible at all times. ID cards must be worn between the chin and the belt.

Anything worn that does not fall within the above guidelines fails to meet the school's dress code and is not allowed. The dress code may be amended at any time by the school administrator and the administrator may use discretion in determining whether dress is inappropriate or appropriate, safe or unsafe in the educational environment. Anyone with questions about the dress code is requested to call Jason Bryant, principal, at (843) 423-8360 or e-mail him at jbryant@marion1.k12.sc.us.