Since Christian love and respect should be reflected in all that we say and do, FVL faculty, staff, and students are expected to dress in a God-pleasing manner. Modesty, good taste, cleanliness, and neatness must be important factors to consider when getting ready for school. Modesty and good taste refer to avoiding such things as inappropriate t-shirts, extremes in hair style, and short skirts and shorts. Cleanliness and neatness refer to general appearance and the condition of clothes which should not be worn-out, torn, or dirty.
The dress code is in effect as soon as students enter the school until their departure, or when a student is representing the school in any activity. Failure to comply with any of the items in the dress code may cause a student to be sent home from school to remedy the situation. For the sake of order, when there are differences of opinion concerning dress, the judgment of the FVL faculty and administration is final.
Because fashion often changes, the dress code may also change during the school year. No policy can cover every possible question about dress code, but the following sections attempt to clarify as much as possible.
Shirts/Tops
- Shirts or tops should be collarbone height - the collar should go no lower than the width of two fingers below the collarbone. A shirt or top that does not meet the collarbone requirement may be worn over or under a shirt or top that does meet the requirement.
- Undergarments should be covered at all times.
- Shirts revealing bare midriffs while sitting or standing and open backs are not permitted.
All shirts must have sleeves.
Pants
- Jeans or other pants that have holes are not permitted.
- Jeans or other pants may have minor distressing / fraying as long as no skin is visible.
- Tight fitting leggings, spandex, tights, yoga pants, or similar types of clothing cannot be worn as separates without a skirt or dress covering it.
- Pajama bottoms may not be worn
Dresses/Skirts
- Dresses and skirts must be no shorter than 4" above the knee.
Shorts
- Shorts should provide significant coverage both standing and sitting.
Footwear
- Students must wear footgear. Bare feet are not permitted.
- Bedroom / House slippers are not permitted.
- No skate or wheeled shoes may be worn at any time.
Jewelry / Hair
- Piercing jewelry may only be worn in the ears and nose. Students may wear one nose piercing.
- Neck chains, pendants, rings, and wrist bracelets may be worn as long as they do not distract from the learning environment.
- Gauges, spiked jewelry, or heavy chains are not permitted.
- Tattoos must be approved by the administration to be visible. If a tattoo is not approved it must be kept covered during the school day.
- Hair should be clean and neatly trimmed. Any changes in hair color must be a natural color. Highlights or streaks of a different color may be worn with pre-approval from administration.
- Facial hair must be neatly trimmed.
- Hats, caps, sweatbands, bandanas, hoods, and sunglasses are not permitted in the school building during the day.
Additional Notes
- Clothing displaying any type of logo or slogan that endorses attitudes and actions that violate the school’s Christian principles is not acceptable. This includes logos and slogans referencing alcohol, drugs, bars, double meaning, vulgar language, and music (individuals, groups, concerts, album covers, etc., except those associated with FVLHS or WELS music programs).
- Clothing from a non-WELS high school are not to be worn.
- All clothing is to be clean and washed regularly.
- Students should be conscious of their personal body odor, follow good bathing practices, and make use of deodorant.
- FVL reserves the right to restrict political attire for good order.
- Dress code for school dances can be found under Social Activities.
Consequences
A faculty or staff member may give a student a warning for the first offense with the expectation that the student will immediately make a change to follow dress code. A detention may be given in all other cases.
UPDATED 5/08/24