Henrico adopts countywide dress code for schools

What kids wear to school in Henrico County has gone from a school-by-school decision to a countywide policy.

Two pages of dress code were adopted by the Henrico School Board yesterday as part of revisions to the Code of Student Conduct, which goes out to students and parents at the beginning of each school year.

The revised code also includes more-detailed regulations on laptop policies, cell-phone use and transportation.

The previous dress code consisted of a paragraph giving broad guidelines -- no revealing clothing; no exposed undergarments; no headgear worn inside, except for religious purposes; and no apparel that conveys an inappropriate message. Each school was expected to establish age-appropriate expectations.

The new dress code provides specific guidelines ranging from the length of dresses to the tightness of clothing.

Cell phones will be banned from sight as well as use during the school day on the middle school and high school levels. Elementary school students will not be allowed to have a cell phone at school unless parents cite extenuating circumstances and get written permission from the principal.

Board member Diana D. Winston recommended using the Connect-Ed communication system to advise parents to review the code of conduct, "because it's become all-encompassing."

Despite attempts by board members to fine-tune the language in several sections, they should expect to reconsider the policy as the year goes on, said Patrick Kinlaw, assistant superintendent for administrative services.

"As much as we'd like it to be perfect . . . we'll get feedback from schools that will cause us to revisit it," he said.

Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or .