Dress code pilot program approved by school board
Fords Middle School first school to institute strict dress code
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE - The students at Fords Middle School will need to start shopping for their new school wardrobe.

The Board of Education unanimously approved a pilot program for a new standardized dress code for the 2007-08 school year at the board meeting on July 19.

The pilot program will start sometime in late November after all parents and legal guardians are notified about the policy.

"We will evaluate and discuss how things are going midway through the pilot program," said Schools Superintendent Vincent Smith.

Cynthia Lagunovich, principal of Fords Middle School, approached the school administration and Board of Education in December and introduced a standardized dress code idea.

After six months, school officials along with administration, staff, parents and students of Fords Middle School determined that a standardized dress policy would enhance the school learning environment and would further support the school's goal of creating an atmosphere that focuses on the seriousness of an education, keeping students more focused on learning, and creating a sense of pride and belonging among students.

The board believes a dress code would enhance student safety, reduce violence and theft, alleviate social pressures and discourage competition based on clothing.

Lagunovich said there haven't been any incidents in the school, but the first priority is safety.

"With a standardized dress code, we can work on the social and learning climate," she said. "Our number-one priority is safety, and in light of the incidents throughout the country, the dress code will allow us to identify people who do not belong in the school."

Lagunovich said she has spoken to area public schools throughout New Jersey that have implemented a school dress code.

"School officials have told me that they have seen a decrease in discipline of 90 percent," she said. "It was absolutely amazing."

Lagunovich formed focus groups of the school's faculty and staff with parents and a group for the students.

"When we first took a poll, 83 percent of parents were for the dress code, 8 percent were against it and 9 percent were undecided," she said. "About 60 percent of students were against the idea and 40 percent were in favor."

However, Lagunovich said that after talking the idea over with the students, "it seemed they were more interested and thinking that this might not be so bad."

The students will have a choice of a long- or short-sleeved, solid-color polo-style shirt with collar or oxford-style shirt that must be buttoned. The shirts, which have to be hip length and in the appropriate size, cannot have any writing or graphics on them. The students would not be allowed to layer their clothes.

"The students will be able to choose white, navy, blue, light blue or burgundy polo shirts or oxford shirts," she said.

The students will have a choice of solid color khaki-style pants, which should be the appropriate size and have no writing or graphics on them. The students can choose from tan, navy or black pants. The pants should not have rivets on the pockets.

"Students will not be allowed to wear jeans," said Lagunovich. "Cargo pants are acceptable."

Girls would be able to choose from Capri-length pants, Bermuda-length shorts, and knee-length skirts. Boys would be able to also choose knee-length shorts.

Lagunovich said the students suggested gym clothes to her.

"The students can choose between sweat pants, basketball-length shorts and mid-thigh-length shorts," she said. "T-shirts and sweatshirts can be any color, but they can have no writing or graphics on them. Fords Middle School logo shirts are acceptable."

The students would be allowed to wear their own shoes. Sneakers are required to be worn with the gym clothes.

Lagunovich said she received concerns from parents about the hindering of the children's expression, creativity and individuality if the dress code is put into place.

"But I assured them that this wasn't the case," she said. "The students can express, create and individualize themselves through their school work. Clothes do not make the person."

Lagunovich also said she did not want the students to feel that they did not have a choice.

"I want them to have a choice and dress modestly," she said. "I want them to distinguish themselves not in a negative way. They have a range of colors to choose from and can buy their clothes at any store they would like, whether it be Wal-Mart, Target or anywhere."

Lagunovich said the teachers and staff would have to abide by a dress code as well.

The dress code policy also includes four disciplinary steps if a student does not comply with the dress code once it is put in place.

The first and second disciplinary steps include a written warning sent to the parents, with the second step also including administrative detention. The third step tacks on a day of in-school suspension, on top of a warning, and the fourth infraction would mean a day of suspension outside of school

All students would have an opportunity to change clothes, if possible, after a warning is given.

Superintendent Smith said these were the four steps put in place, but if a situation arises, the principal and administration would look into other disciplinary measures.

For more information on the dress code policy, visit the school district's Web site at www.woodbridge.k12.nj.us.

appropriate size, cannot have any writing or graphics on them. The students would not be allowed to layer their clothes.

"The students will be able to choose white, navy, blue, light blue or burgundy polo shirts or oxford shirts," she said.

The students will have a choice of solid color khaki-style pants, which should be the appropriate size and have no writing or graphics on them. The students can choose from tan, navy or black pants. The pants should not have rivets on the pockets.

"Students will not be allowed to wear jeans," said Lagunovich. "Cargo pants are acceptable."

Girls would be able to choose from Capri-length pants, Bermuda-length shorts, and knee-length skirts. Boys would be able to also choose knee-length shorts.

Lagunovich said the students suggested gym clothes to her.

"The students can choose between sweat pants, basketball-length shorts and mid-thigh-length shorts," she said. "T-shirts and sweatshirts can be any color, but they can have no writing or graphics on them. Fords Middle School logo shirts are acceptable."

The students would be allowed to wear their own shoes. Sneakers are required to be worn with the gym clothes.

Lagunovich said she received concerns from parents about the hindering of the children's expression, creativity and individuality if the dress code is put into place.

"But I assured them that this wasn't the case," she said. "The students can express, create and individualize themselves through their school work. Clothes do not make the person."

Lagunovich also said she did not want the students to feel that they did not have a choice.

"I want them to have a choice and dress modestly," she said. "I want them to distinguish themselves not in a negative way. They have a range of colors to choose from and can buy their clothes at any store they would like, whether it be Wal-Mart, Target or anywhere."

Lagunovich said the teachers and staff would have to abide by a dress code as well.

The dress code policy also includes four disciplinary steps if a student does not comply with the dress code once it is put in place.

The first and second disciplinary steps include a written warning sent to the parents, with the second step also including administrative detention. The third step tacks on a day of in-school suspension, on top of a warning, and the fourth infraction would mean a day of suspension outside of school

All students would have an opportunity to change clothes, if possible, after a warning is given.

Superintendent Smith said these were the four steps put in place, but if a situation arises, the principal and administration would look into other disciplinary measures.

For more information on the dress code policy, visit the school district's Web site at www.woodbridge.k12.nj.us.