Dear Foothill Families,

There have been questions on the topic of the student dress code to start the year.  The manner in which our students dress helps to set the tone and create the culture on our campus.  Additionally, the way that staff members interact with students is equally important creating a healthy environment on campus.  

The Foothill administration's goal is to create a culture of mutual respect and cooperation between students and staff members.  We strive to create an environment in which students respect the staff for the hard work that they do to teach and one in which staff members respect students for their individualism and expression.  Coming to class prepared, dressed appropriately and ready to learn is the student's responsibility.   

As an administrator, it is important, yet difficult to consistently enforce many different rules for all students.  We must rely on families to promote positive behaviors at home and students to make good decisions at school.  This relationship between the school and family is essential in supporting student development. The expectation of high school students is to dress and act appropriately while attending school and school-related activities.  The guiding principle that the Foothill High School staff will use in regards to dress code is as follows:

Students' grooming and standards of dress are to be appropriate to class and school activities.  Clothing which will create disruption of school activities, including gang related apparel, is not to be worn.

Appropriate attire includes:

• Covered midriffs, cleavage, and backs
• Completely covered undergarments
• Bottoms that cover bottoms
• Clothing free from offensive or otherwise inappropriate images, messages, or advertisements related but not limited to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs
• Tops with some type of sleeve or strap
• No short shorts, miniskirts or hats other than Foothill hats

The Foothill administration has the responsibility to deem clothing appropriate or not.

The highest priority for TUSD and Foothill High School is the academic achievement of our students.  If a student's clothing creates a disruption to the learning environment, he or she will be asked to change their clothes by an administrator.

The administrators will not actively "dress code" students this year, but we expect that students still hold themselves to high standards and dress appropriately for school.  If a student's clothing is inappropriate, that will be handled.  If we start to notice that many students are not wearing appropriate clothing, we will be forced to revert back to a culture in which administrators actively seek out students that are not dressed appropriately.  It is my sincere hope that students do not abuse this change in policy enforcement and use good judgment in what they wear to school.

Foothill has many great things happening.  With technology, programs for every kid, and our students going on to amazing opportunities after high school, we have "big picture" issues to address, teachers to support, and students to teach.  My hope is that students make good decisions and that the need to address the dress code on a large scale fades away.  We have a great school and our focus, now more than ever, needs to remain on our goals and mission.  Let us all stay focused on the big picture and work to address what really matters: student learning.

Sincerely,

Nick Stephany, Ed.D.

Principal, Foothill High School