Paterson School District

Students in all grades must wear uniforms. Families may purchase items through the school district. If purchased from another resource, the attire will be allowed as long as it is free of logos and embellishments and it closely matches the color and style of those uniforms ordered through the school and the attire meets the intention of all district uniform and dress code requirements.

The Paterson School District uniform guidelines apply to both male and female students.

Polo shirts - both short and long-sleeved collared polo shirts with original buttons (1-5 buttons)
✓ 6 colors to select from: forest green, light gray, light blue, light pink, white, and navy blue
✓ Shirts and all outerwear must fit well and not be oversized or undersized.
✓ Shirts will carry no visible logos or embellishments.
✓ Undershirts must be one of the school uniform shirt colors if they are visible.

Pants - Jeans, slacks, capris or cargo pants in black, denim blue, navy, gray, or khaki. Walking shorts, athletic shorts, cargo shorts that are solid color Navy Blue, Black., or Gray with no logos and that are the appropriate length may also be worn.

✓ Attire such as pants, shorts, skirts, skorts and jumpers must fit well and not be over or undersized.
✓ Pants with holes are in fashion-to that end, students must wear solid black, navy, or white leggings under pants if they have holes.
✓ Sweat pants are not acceptable uniform attire. If students choose to wear yoga pants or leggings for pants, they must be solid black or navy with no logos. They should be modest and students may need to wear shorts or a skirt with the leggings.
✓ Pants will be free of wording and embellishments.
✓ Skirts, skorts and jumpers should be no shorter than the top of the knee.
✓ Shorts will be worn under all skirts or jumpers.
✓ Shorts must be no shorter than tips of fingers when student’s arms rest at their sides.

Inside the building outerwear – Solid dark-gray or solid black fleeced fitted jacket, a white, gray, or navy-blue sweater, or Paterson school spirit wear that has been specifically authorized by the superintendent may be worn inside the building.

✓ All inside the building outerwear must fit well and not be oversized or undersized.
✓ All inside the building jackets and/or sweaters will be free of hoods, except Paterson school spirit wear that has been specifically authorized by the superintendent: e.g., an authorized hooded sweat shirt or polartec" with an approved school spirit emblem--hoods must be pulled down and off the head when inside the building.
✓ Sweaters should be front zip or button, pullovers are not acceptable.
✓ All outerwear worn inside the building must be of uniform color and style and must closely match the color and style ordered through the school.

Spirit-wear may be worn on designated “Spirit Days" at school.
The term “spirit” refers to clothing affiliated with the school (Paterson Pioneers or Prosser Mustangs), such as sweatshirts or tee shirts.

Other Casual Days or Theme Days: Throughout the school year the district may approve “Casual” few specific theme days for students.

Coats: Coats do not need to be uniform color or style. However, the coat must be hung up or put in lockers upon arrival at school. Coats are not to be worn in the building once students arrive at school. Any gang colors or logos are prohibited.

Head Gear: No hats, sweatshirt hoods, sweater hoods, visors, bandanas, head scarves, scull-caps or hairnets are to be worn during the school day or on school buses. Winter caps may be worn outside during inclement weather. Wigs are not acceptable unless they are for a medical necessity. A note from a physician will be required.

Footwear: As a health and safety precaution, students must wear shoes. During recess, PE and/or sports activities students, should wear closed-toe shoes to protect their feet. All appropriate closed-toe street shoes are allowed, including tennis shoes, sandals and other hard-soled shoes. Slippers and flip flops are prohibited except for medical reasons or for specific short-term foot-related injuries. All shoe laces need to be same color - no cross colors allowed. Traditional cross lacing only. All laces should be tied for safety.

Leggings and/or Tights: Leggings/Tights are approved to be worn under skirts, skorts or jumpers. They should be design free or with no logos, and in white, black, gray, or navy blue.

Other Accessories: Flashy accessories can be a distraction in class. Classroom teachers will ask students to remove any accessories that become a distraction to the classroom learning environment.

Consequences for Dress Violations:
If the student's dress or grooming is objectionable under these provisions, the District shall request the student to make appropriate corrections. If the student refuses, the superintendent shall notify the parent or legal guardian, if reasonably possible, and request that person to assist the student to make the necessary correction. If both the student and parent refuse, the superintendent shall take appropriate disciplinary action. All discipline is progressive and could include the following:

1^st-3^rd Offense: School will require student to remove or change inappropriate dress item. Parent notified and will need to bring a change of clothing if necessary.
4^th - 5^th Offense: #1 above plus lunch detention
6^th – 8^th Offense: #1 and #2 above plus parent meeting
9^th Offense: Short-term suspension
10^th Offense: Possible Expulsion
Students identified as being gang involved, influenced or affiliated shall be provided assistance and/or programs which discourage gang involvement or affiliation, enhance self-esteem, encourage interest and participation in school or other positive activities and promote membership in authorized school organizations.

Modified: July 8, 2010; August 3, 2011; July 25, 2012; February 17, 2015; September 21, 2015; September 11, 2018; August 23, 2021

The Paterson School Board is committed to the optimal development of every student. The Board believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental, and social success, we need to create positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environments at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year.

Research clearly indicates tremendous inequities in access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity in our society. It is the imperative and intention of Paterson School District to mitigate these disparities by providing equitable access to healthy food and physical activity at Paterson Elementary School. Children who eat well-balanced meals and engage in physical activity throughout the school day are generally healthier and more likely to be academically successful. To clarify the district’s role in supporting students, the following core wellness beliefs are adopted:

• Students have equitable access to healthy foods and portable water throughout the school day—through school meals that meet or exceed Federal and state nutrition standard, as well as allowing students to carry refillable water bottles;
• Students are given adequate time to obtain and consume meals in an environment that encourages healthy eating;
• Students receive quality evidence-based health education, physical education, and nutrition education allowing them to develop lifelong healthy behaviors;
• Students have adequate opportunities to be physically active while at school, including adequate recess and regular physical activity breaks;
• Students are provided equitable access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity with appropriate accommodations and modifications to school meals, nutrition education, physical education and physical activity;
• Snack foods that do not meet USDA Smart Snacks standards are not marketed or sold on school grounds during the school day;
• School staff is encouraged to promote healthy nutrition and support physical activity; including not using food as a reward and practicing healthy celebrations; 
• Paterson should incorporate a Wellness Goal in the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.

The Superintendent or his or her designee is authorized to develop procedures and guidelines to implement this policy. The stakeholders in the district will be provided an opportunity to be involved in a periodic review, implementation, and update of this policy.

Adopted: September 18, 2016     updated: February 19, 2019
Cross Reference: Policy Nos. 0030; 2180; 2185; D140.00; D140.01; 4237; 6700; H61.00; H61.01
Related Superintendent Procedure: 2180SP; 6700SP
Management Resources: USDA Wellness Policy