By Jennifer Little

Every school year brings changes: new classes, new students and, sometimes, new teachers.

But at Maplesville School this year, those changes also include a new dress code. By adopting new stricter guidelines, MHS joins other schools in the county that have successfully implemented a uniform policy. Although there are a few variations of the attire requirements from school to school, the guiding principles remain the same.

The Maplesville School system put in place the following rules of dress for students as well as faculty:

a. Pants, shorts and skirts must be khaki or black with no holes or tears. Belts must be worn by students all grades 3–12. Shorts and skirts must be knee length or longer.

b. Shirts must be collared and polo-style or button up long- or short-sleeve Oxford-style and can be of any color. They cannot, however, contain emblems, logos, pictures, advertisements or writings. The only exception would be a manufacturer embroidered emblem no more than a ½-inch in size. School-sponsored sweatshirts are permitted, but no hoodies.

c. Flip-flops are not allowed. Shoes with laces must be tied, while boots and shoe tops must be worn inside of pant leggings.

d.  On Fridays, however, school sponsored organization and class t-shirts are allowed. Special events, such as Homecoming Week and picture day, will be considered by the administration for alternate dress.

e. Accessories, such as jewelry, are open to student and parent discretion to the degree that they are consistent with the Chilton County Board of Education policy and not distracting to the educational process.

Parents have said that the back-to-school shopping process was less stressful and less time consuming.  Students have expressed that it will be much better now that it doesn’t really matter what brands everyone is wearing; everybody will, for the most part, look equal.

Teenage girls are relieved that they can get ready for school in a relatively short amount of time because they won’t have to try on outfit after outfit or worry about “who is wearing what” on any given day.

Maggie Hicks, MHS Principal, says that she and other faculty members have noticed how neat and tidy everyone looks throughout the school day. Also, Hicks said she believes the new policy gives every student a sense of belonging to the school body, which in turn goes a long way in developing positive attitudes, pride and respect that are necessary to the learning process.

Hicks said she is receiving positive feedback from both parents and students. Aside from a couple of minor “tucking” and “belting” infractions, the first few days of the MHS uniform policy are proving to be a great success.

–Jennifer Little is a resident of Maplesville. She can be reached by e-mail at jen.little17@yahoo.com.