Dressing for School

Clothing for Young Children’s Community & Primary

Children’s clothing should allow for a child’s freedom of movement. Children who are developing independence and are toilet trained should be dressed in clothing they can put on and take off easily. Allowing children to dress themselves, fasten their shoes, or zip up their jackets helps promote independence and self-confidence.

Our days at school are filled with trips outside to the playground, arts and crafts, gardening, and other activities that have the potential to be messy. Clothing should therefore be weather-appropriate and easily washable. We recommend that your child dress in comfortable two-piece sets in lieu of jeans, overalls, party dresses, or other items, which may hinder movement or be difficult to clean.

In keeping with the Montessori philosophy of peace, we ask that all parents refrain from dressing their children in clothing that depicts superheroes or other aggressive characters. We have observed that such clothing can lead to excessively rough playground games, teaching violence as a way to solve problems, and the exclusion of certain children from activities. Examples of characters to avoid include Spiderman, Batman, and Incredible Hulk. Clothing depicting animals, such as dinosaurs, is acceptable. Stay away from cartoon characters, so children are not distracted at school. Clothing representing sporting events or sporting heroes is allowed. 

Clothing should be clearly labeled with the child’s name. For Young Children’s Community children, each article of clothing, including shoes, must be labeled with the child’s name.

Jewelry and Other Distractions

Children should not wear or bring jewelry to school, because it is easily lost or broken and is potentially dangerous if it gets caught on classroom or outdoor equipment. Small studs for children with pierced ears are acceptable.

Other items such as purses, umbrellas, belts, sunglasses, and hats (cowboy, fireman, baseball, etc.) can be a distraction and are best avoided.

We ask that all parents take the time to help support these guidelines. Review the dress guidelines with your child. Have some clothes for school and others for play. At arrival, keep toys, purses, etc. in the car. We appreciate your help with these matters. 

Shoes

Shoes should enable your child to move with coordination and confidence. Sandals, tennis shoes, or leather Oxfords are best. Avoid flip-flops, cowboy boots, clogs/Crocs, and tight dress shoes (esp. patent leather), because they are more difficult for children to walk in and can be dangerous in the classroom or on the playground. Please avoid shoes with flashing lights: they are highly distracting for the wearer and other children. Excessively long shoelaces and double knots are an added obstacle to the child. Cotton shoelaces remain tied; synthetic ones slip.

Clothing for Elementary Students

As with any level here at Post Oak, it is imperative that the children between the ages of six and twelve be encouraged to dress for comfort, movement, and physical activity. 

Clothing

We encourage children in Elementary to dress for comfort and mobility rather than style. Elementary-aged children work both indoors and outdoors; when indoors, the children work sitting in chairs at desks and on the floor. Their clothing should support their active engagement in work both indoors and outdoors. We do expect the clothing worn to be neat, clean, and without holes. We also encourage children not to wear clothing that displays logos, brand names, or images from for-profit entities (cartoon characters, rock bands, products and merchandise, etc.). Elementary children are outside daily; dress should reflect preparedness to be outside daily, rain, shine, cool, and warm. (Note about Houston weather: “No such thing as bad weather, only poor dress.”) Please make sure to dress in layers and that outerwear (jackets, hats, etc.) is adequate when the weather is cold.

• Children are supported to select clothes that are appropriate for the weather and that take into account the activities of the day.
• Clothes should cover the chest, torso, and undergarments, and not distract the wearer due to the need for adjustment.
• Backless and strapless clothing is not permitted.
• T-shirts advertising music, cartoon characters, or disrespectful comments should be avoided. Clothing with images or language that promote alcohol, weapons, tobacco, drugs, or other inappropriate behavior is not allowed.
• Articles of clothing with political images or political language are not allowed.
• Pajamas are not appropriate wear for school.
• For school trips and other special activities on or off campus, teachers will advise children on what to wear.
• Closed-toe shoes must be worn in the school.

Jewelry and Other Distractions

Children should not wear or bring jewelry to school, because it is easily lost or broken and is potentially dangerous if it gets caught on classroom or outdoor equipment. Small studs for children with pierced ears are acceptable.
Other items such as purses, umbrellas, belts, sunglasses, and hats (cowboy, fireman, baseball, etc.) can be a distraction and are best avoided.

We ask that all parents take the time to help support these guidelines. Review the clothing guidelines with your child. Have some clothes for school and others for play. At arrival, keep toys, purses, etc. in the car. We appreciate your help with these matters.

Shoes

Children in the Elementary play outside daily, attend physical fitness during the week, and are extremely active. Shoes should enable your child to move with coordination and confidence. Shoes that allow for appropriate participation in these activities are necessary: tennis shoes or sneakers are ideal for this age. Avoid  flip-flops, cowboy boots, clogs/Crocs, and tight dress shoes (esp. patent leather), because they are more difficult for children to walk in and can be dangerous in the classroom or on the playground. Please avoid shoes with flashing lights: they are highly distracting for the wearer and other children. Excessively long shoelaces and double knots are an added obstacle to the child. Cotton shoelaces remain tied; synthetic ones slip.

Middle School Appearance Policy

Expectations

Students are expected to dress for school in a manner that shows respect for oneself and others and that is conducive to their learning. The appearance policy allows students to express their individuality while adhering to the need for functionality and community standards set forth by students and faculty.

• Students must wear:
  • Top (shirt, blouse, sweater, sweatshirt, tank, etc.);
  • Bottom (pants, shorts, skirt, dress, etc.); and
  • Footwear appropriate for the day's activity. 
• Clothing must be clean and free of any rips and tears.
• Students may not wear clothing, jewelry, or personal items that:
  • Are pornographic, contain threats, or promote illegal or violent conduct such as the use of weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or drug paraphernalia;
  • Demonstrate hate group association/affiliation and/or use hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or other protected groups;
  • Intentionally show stomach or private parts, including buttocks (Clothing must cover private parts in opaque, i.e., not able to be seen-through, material. When traveling, thong or G-string swimwear is prohibited.);
  • Cover the student’s face to the extent that the student is not identifiable (except clothing/headwear worn for a religious or medical purpose); 
  • Demonstrate gang association/affiliation;
  • Are for night-time use (pajamas, house shoes);
  • Easily detach from the student’s body (thong sandals);
  • Restrict participation in physical fitness activities, occupations, and science labs. 
  • Does not allow full range of motion without revealing the buttocks, midriff, or chest.  
• When visiting sites off campus for service learning, school trips/travel, and other special activities, students must wear clothing that is respectful and mindful of the particular site. Middle School faculty will advise students on what to wear. 

Accountability Procedure

The purpose of this procedure is to hold students accountable for our appearance norms while respecting each student’s dignity. Communication of violation of the appearance policy will come from the advisor or the Middle School Director. Students will only be instructed to change clothes immediately in cases where private parts are showing or there are offensive images or words presented. Otherwise, students will be notified of infractions via email.

1. For a first offense, the student will be notified via email from the advisor, copying parent(s)/guardian(s), of the specific appearance violation. The email identifies the violation and reminds the student that “the purpose of our appearance policy is to guide the school community regarding appropriate attire. The appearance policy is also a means of teaching you a life skill in how to present yourself while you embody the culture of a larger community.” The email also includes the text of this accountability procedure so that the student is reminded of the consequences of continued violations.
2. For a second violation of the same appearance policy infraction, the advisor will call the student into a meeting attended by parent(s)/guardian(s). The student and their family are invited to share any questions or concerns about the violation. This conversation is thoughtful, candid, and collaborative rather than punitive and personal, and is focused on finding solutions to bring the student into compliance.
3. For a third violation of the same infraction, the Middle School Director will call the student into a meeting attended by parent(s)/guardian(s) and the advisor. This meeting includes a direct consideration of the student’s intention to comply with our appearance policy, and the student may be issued a one-day separation from the community to reflect on their commitment to membership in the community and how their actions are impacting the community.
4. A fourth violation for the same infraction will lead to another meeting with the same attendees where the student’s commitment to Post Oak will be discussed and a formal disciplinary response is likely to be issued. In severe cases, dismissal may be considered.

** Parts of this policy are adapted from the Seattle Public Schools Dress Policy No. 3224, July 10, 2019.

High School Appearance Policy

Students are expected to dress for school in a manner conducive to their own and others’ learning. Furthermore, the campus of the Post Oak High School is conceived to include the grounds of its numerous partner institutions, as well as the public spaces in between. Students’ choices about their appearance must accurately communicate the serious purpose of their activities as they move about within the school’s extended campus. At a minimum, students’ appearance should fit with the guidelines of the partner institutions for their own personnel and volunteers. The High School appearance policy also applies to students’ appearance outside of the regular school day when they are present at school-related events. The appearance policy allows students to express themselves while also modeling choices regarding appearance as they take on roles of greater responsibility in the adult world. The faculty strives to enforce this policy consistently, all while treating each student fairly and with respect.

Personal Appearance

The Post Oak School shares its campus with the world-class institutions of Houston’s Museum District. Many days, students will be on site at these institutions as representatives of the school. Students are expected to make choices regarding dressing for school that appropriately represents the school, and is not a disruption to the school’s partner institutions in the Museum District. That is, students’ appearance should fit with the appearance of the partner institutions’ own personnel and volunteers. The High School appearance policy addresses all aspects of student appearance while representing the school during school days and at school events.

It is a realization during maturation that one’s choice of dress and appearance not only creates a certain impression of oneself, but also of one’s affiliated organization and all the community members associated with that organization. Dress can also affect how one feels about oneself and one’s work.

The appearance policy is in effect from the first day of school until the last day and from the time at which a student arrives on campus in the Museum District until the student leaves campus at the end of the day. It is also in effect whenever students are at any event representing the school. For students, school is the place that they work. Students should make choices to dress for the context of their workday.

Staff members will talk with a student immediately when observing that they have made a choice about appearance that may not match the work of the day. Violations are communicated to the student by the advisor and may include communication to the parents and/or guardians. Repeated infractions will be interpreted as a choice to not follow the school rules and may impact a student’s off-campus opportunities such as internship placement or travel.

Clothing Guidelines for Students

School Day

• Students should have clean hair, bodies, clothing, and shoes. They should take care of all hygienic norms including brushing teeth and styling hair before coming to school.
• All clothing must be neat, clean, and in good condition.
• Clothing should not require constant attention or interfere with the learning process by needing regular readjustment to keep it in place or to keep the student’s body covered.
• Garments cover the body from the shoulders to around the mid-thigh, as long as undergarments are not exposed.
• Shirts must be worn at all times, including during PF and athletics.
• Clothing should be appropriate for the day’s activities and weather.
• Closed-toe shoes must be worn in the science lab and tinker lab. Shoes must be worn in the building at all times.

Travel/Internships/Field Work/Greater Museum District/Outings

• Clothing appropriate for the weather, circumstances, and the nature of work or partner organization.
• Faculty, staff, or internship supervisors may require a particular level of attire or dress code for the student to participate. Failure to comply may result in the student being unable to participate in the activity.
• Students are encouraged to wear appropriate Post Oak School spirit wear to their internships.

Physical Fitness

• T-shirt
• Sweatshirt
• Shorts
• Fitness-appropriate pants
• Athletic shoes

Appearance That Is Not Acceptable

• Shorts and skirts that fall above mid-thigh
• Muscle shirts, undershirts, backless, strapless, “spaghetti strap” clothing, bare midriff or those that do not cover undergarments.
• Pajamas
• Clothing with images or words depicting violence, tobacco, alcohol, or drug-use
• Flip-flops or beach-type shoes
• Swimwear (unless swimming)

** Parts of this policy are adapted from the Seattle Public Schools Dress Policy No. 3224, July 10, 2019.