The Villadom Times Weekly Newspaper Online-Oct 20, 2010 Issue

Franklin Lakes October 20, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Board sets dress code for district employees by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Board of Education has adopted a new policy regarding the conduct and dress code for teachers and other employees of the public school district. The policy, which will become effective Jan. 1, states that the school board expects staff conduct to be that of appropriate role models for students and the school board believes that the appearance and dress of teaching staff members is an important component of the educational program of the school district. “The attitude of teaching staff members about their professional responsibilities and the importance of education in the lives of their pupils are reflected in their dress and appearance,” the policy states. The policy establishes certain rules for the dress of teaching staff members in the performance of their professional duties in order to create an atmosphere of respect for teachers and an environment conducive to discipline and learning. Superintendent Frank Romano emphasized that the new policy was not prompted by any dissatisfaction on his part with the level of professionalism at the district’s schools as a whole. He noted that 90 to 95 percent of the staff are already in compliance with the policy. He explained that a recent transition from a private professional policy service to the New Jersey School Boards Association necessitated a complete review of the policy manual, and it was noticed that the existing dress code policy did not serve its purpose. “In this day and age when public education is under attack,” Romano explained, “we need to put our best professional foot forward and, as I have said, we already are, we just need to make sure there is a standard.” He emphasized that the new policy has a lot of built in flexibility to allow for individual style, and he described the writing of the new policy as a “healthy organizational practice” that will also support the district’s principals by having a document to which employees can be held accountable. According to the policy, acceptable attire for female personnel will consist of dresses, skirts with blouses and/or sweaters, pantsuits, and slacks with blouses and/ or sweaters. Acceptable attire for male personnel will consist of suits with long- or short-sleeve button-down dress shirts and ties, slacks with long-or short-sleeve button-down dress shirts with ties, jackets, sweaters, or sweater vests, and slacks with turtlenecks and jackets, sweaters, or sweater vests. The clothing and appearance of all teaching staff members must be clean and neat. No clothing may be worn that constitutes athletic wear and/or presents a danger to health or safety to the wearer or to others, including, but not limited to, footwear that cause imbalance, an inability to maneuver quickly or safely, or a tripping hazard, such as sneakers, flip-flops, or casual and/or beach-type shoes. Personnel may not wear clothing that interferes with the instructional program. The school principal may grant a waiver of this dress code for the performance of particular duties. Such waivers may be granted on a temporary basis with additional consideration given to weather and “school spirit” events, and the superintendent may grant a waiver of this dress code for documented medical reasons. The use of uniforms by physical edu- cation teachers during the course of carrying out their duties in that capacity, and as defined by district regulation, will not be deemed to constitute a violation of this policy. The building principal or the teaching staff member’s supervisor, as appropriate, will determine whether a violation of this dress code has occurred and will discuss the violation with the teaching staff member concerned. Where a single violation so warrants or violations recur, the principal or supervisor (continued on page 16) Princess 7 Nails & Spa $ 25 - Manicure and Pedicure (Mon -Wed) $ 60 - LCN Gel Set Eyelash Extensions Facials • Massage $20 or more with this coupon ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL WAXING - 20% OFF 10% Off all services for Senior Citizens • Gift Certiﬁcates Available 40 B Franklin Turnpike • Waldwick NJ • 201 444 8839 Open 7 days - M-F 9:30- 7:30 • Sat 9-6:30 • Sun 10-6 (Across from Waldwick Burger King) �� 10-20-10 Mike/Janine PrincessNails3x3BW(10-20-10) 3 x 3”