ghems school

GHEMS Uniform Policy

Our primary goal here at GHEMS is to provide your scholar with the best possible learning experience in a safe, positive environment. This upcoming school year, we are committed to ensuring that our students succeed in their learning journey every day. To support this goal, we ask for your cooperation with our standardized dress (school uniform) policy, which has been successfully implemented for several years.

We believe that standardized dress positively impacts students' learning and behavior both in and around the school. It unites students, increases school pride, and eliminates class barriers created by economic disparities. As part of our Positive Behavior Incentive System (PBIS), students will be rewarded for demonstrating positive behavior and wearing their school uniform daily.

GHEMS Uniforms

uniforms

Please review the uniform requirements below to ensure your child is correctly dressed at the start of the new school year. All scholars, from 1st through 8th grade, are expected to adhere to the following uniform guidelines:

**1st-5th Grade Students:

Yellow Polo Shirts**- Polo/collared shirts (long or short sleeves) and sweaters/sweater vests for cool weather may be navy or khaki.

Navy Blue Bottoms: Shorts, pants, skirts, jumpers, and capris must meet BCPSS standard dress code requirements. Belts are suggested for pants with belt loops. Bottoms should fit properly and not sag below the waist. Leggings are permitted underneath skirts.

**5th-8th Grade Students: White or Navy Polo Shirts**- Polo/collared shirts (long or short sleeves) and sweaters/sweater vests for cool weather may be nav1y or khaki.

Khaki Bottoms: Shorts, pants, skirts, jumpers, and capris must meet BCPSS standard dress code requirements. Belts are suggested for pants with belt loops. Bottoms should fit properly and not sag below the waist. Leggings are permitted underneath skirts.

 **Shoes** - Students may wear their choice of shoes, provided they are safe and appropriate for the learning environment. Closed-toe shoes are preferred to prevent injuries. Athletic shoes are required for PE classes and outdoor activities. Cleats, slippers, flip-flops, Crocs, and shoes with wheels are not permitted.

 **Accessories** - Students may wear accessories such as earrings and bracelets, but necklaces are not allowed unless for religious reasons. Removable fronts that are not permanent are also not permitted. All purses, shoulder bags, cross-body bags, and fanny packs must not be distracting and should be stored in lockers if necessary.

 **Prohibited Clothing**

- Spandex or elastic shorts or pants worn as outer garments

- Coats or jackets intended as outer garments during school hours

- Any clothing that exposes undergarments

- Hooded sweatshirts, hats, and scarves (unless for religious reasons)

- Pants with holes, cuts, slits, or wording across the backside

 

Sanctions for Non-Compliance

1. **First Offense:** Student referral to the Principal’s/Dean’s Office. Parents are immediately notified. A conference is held with the parent/guardian. The student will be required to change into the uniform brought by the parent or provided by the principal.

2. **Second Offense:** Repeat of the first offense procedure. Elementary students lose recess for one to two days. Middle school students receive one after-school reflection.

3. **Third Offense:** Repeat of the first offense procedure. Elementary students lose recess for three to five days. Middle school students receive two to three days of after-school reflections.

4. **Fourth Offense:** Repeat of the first offense procedure. A parent conference will be requested by the school administrator to address the repeated offenses.

 Students may be out of uniform on school picture days, but they must follow the Baltimore City Public Schools dress code available online at [Baltimore City Schools](https://www.baltimorecityschools.org). Special days for wearing non-uniform clothing will be communicated throughout the year.

Please support our uniform policy to ensure your child is appropriately dressed. We firmly believe that when our scholars are dressed in accordance with our dress code, they are better prepared to focus on what’s most important: Learning.