July 3, 2023 LANCASTER, Texas --The safety and security of our students and staff have always been our top priority in Lancaster ISD, and we continuously strive to implement measures that enhance their well-being. After conducting a thorough review of safety measures and carefully considering the feedback from our board of trustees, district leadership team, campus principals, and the district's safety and security committee, we have updated our dress code policy to enhance our safety and security efforts throughout the district. These updates will be implemented during the upcoming school year.
The dress code updates include eliminating the option for students to wear hoodies and any outerwear with hoods inside any district campus or building, continuing required student uniforms and clear or mesh backpacks, and expanding the district-wide student ID badge requirement.
This change in dress code to eliminate hoodies aims to remove barriers that hinder the quick and accurate identification of students' faces. Hoodies, hooded sweatshirts, and other outerwear with hoods can obscure a student's face, making it challenging for staff to identify them properly. Removing the option for hoodies and similar outerwear to be worn inside of schools will ensure a clearer line of sight, enhance our ability to identify students promptly, especially during emergencies, and will contribute to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff within our campuses.
In addition to the dress code update, we will be implementing a district-wide student ID badge requirement for grades K-12. Student ID badges will facilitate student identification and ensure that only authorized individuals have access to our school facilities. Each campus will provide additional information regarding the ID badge distribution process. Furthermore, we will continue enforcing our clear or mesh backpack and school uniform requirements.
We understand that hoodies and outerwear with hoods are popular among our students. We want to clarify that this decision is not an attack on this specific clothing item. Instead, this dress code enhancement is a district-wide initiative aimed at proactively preventing any obstacles that may hinder our ability to identify students during campus emergencies. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. By working together, we can continue to provide a safe and secure learning environment for all students.
Please review the following information so that you are aware of the most recent updates to the student dress code for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.
All Lancaster ISD students have a district-wide uniform requirement
All Lancaster ISD students must carry a clear or mesh backpack
Student ID badges will be required for students K-12
Hoodies or outerwear with hoods are no longer considered acceptable clothing items within Lancaster ISD and may not be worn inside any district campus or building. Articles of clothing falling within the unacceptable list include the following but are not limited to:
Hooded sweatshirts with or without a zipper (hoodies)
Hooded jackets
Hooded sweaters
Hooded coats
Hooded windbreakers
Hooded parkas
Hooded raincoats
Hooded fleeces
Hooded vests
Please note that any outerwear or clothing item with an attached hood will be considered unacceptable according to the updated policy.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these changes, please do not hesitate to contact your child's school administration via our Let's Talk app under the dress code topic. We value your partnership and thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring campus safety.