Elementary Dress & Appearance Policy
(Kindergarten - 5th Grade)

It is the desire of GFA that our students live and conduct themselves in a manner that would be pleasing to God and glorifying our Savior, Jesus Christ. While the GFA dress standard is not intended to measure spirituality, it is intended to serve as a tool in building and fostering Godly character, academic achievement, and distinction in the lives of the students as they participate in the business of education. A well-groomed, neat appearance shows respect for authority, others, and themselves, while encouraging each student to operate as a part of a unified body, which creates a positive impression for others to observe.

Dress Code Enforcement

Standards for appearance, a uniform as such, is required for GFA elementary students.  The Dress Code Policy provides the faculty, administration, parents and students with a set of clear guidelines and consequences that would be administered and interpreted in an objective, consistent, and fair manner.  All GFA faculty and administration reserve the right to use discretion when interpreting the policy regarding the appearance of any elementary student.  This shall include informing parent(s) and/or student(s) if and when the clothing becomes too worn out or tattered to meet with GFA elementary dress code standards and must be replaced.

In an effort to maintain a Christ-centered reputation, GFA relies heavily on the parent(s) to respect, support, and cooperate with the dress code policy, not only for the daily classroom routine, but also for any occasion, event, or extracurricular activity sponsored by the school.

Clothing must be worn properly and in the intended fashion in which it was designed.  While GFA recognizes and encourages individuality, pushing the limits of self-expression regarding clothing, accessories, hairstyle, and/or general appearance will not be tolerated.  A student displaying disrespect or defiance in offense to the described policy, and/or a parent/student not adhering to any part of the GFA Dress Code as a whole, will receive appropriate warnings and/or consequences according to the Disciplinary Policy referred to in this Handbook.

Clothing

Clothing may be purchased anywhere as long as it meets the Dress Code Policy.  The following suppliers are preferred due to our research:  Lands End, Target, Walmart, JCPenney, or Nelson's School Supply. (Please remember when purchasing your clothing online through one of these retailers to use the SchoolPop link which benefits GFA with cash rebates.  If you choose to purchase through Nelson's, please inform the sales staff that you are with GFA, and the school will receive an 8% rebate.)

Daily Dress Requirements

Tops

Boys top/outerwear colors are to be Gray, Red, Black, Navy Blue, White

Girls top/outerwear colors are to be Gray, Red, Black, Navy Blue, Pink, Yellow or White

• Long or short sleeve collared polo
• Mock or turtleneck top
• Cotton sweater or vest
• Fleece jacket, vest, or pullover
• GFA logo school sweatshirt

Bottoms and Dresses

Boys pants and shorts are to be Navy Blue, Khaki or Black

• Pants – plain-front, pleated, or cargo
• No Denim

Girls pants, skorts, dresses, and shorts are to be Plaid, Navy Blue, Black or Khaki

• Pants – plain front, stretch flairs, stretch cargo, stretch crops, elastic or pleated
• Skort – two button stretch, side pleated, and stretch cargo, all with built-in shorts underneath
• Shorts – plain front, pleated, or cargo
• Dress – solid jumper or pleated jumper
• Shorts and skorts must be modest and no shorter than finger-tip length
• Skirts and dresses must be modest and no shorter than three inches above the knee.

Shoes

• No between the toe shoes
• No sandals without a secure strap over the top of the foot or heel
• No spiked heels, cleats, heelies, and/or the like that may cause injury to the student or others
• Shoes must be in good repair without holes or tears.
• Lace-up shoes must be laced correctly and tied
• No bare feet

Chapel Dress

Tops

Boys and Girls are required to wear red polo shirts

Bottoms and Dresses

Boys are required to wear khaki pants with dress or casual shoes and socks.

Girls are required to wear long khaki pants, crop pants, dresses or skorts, with dress or casual shoes, socks and/or leggings; depending on the shoe style, socks or leggings are not required.

Hair

GFA expects all elementary students to maintain a conventional, well groomed, and clean hairstyle that is not disruptive, but conducive to a learning environment.

Boys and Girls

• Hair is required to be kept out of the face at all times
• Extreme color, streaks, and/or the like are not permitted
• Accentuated spikes, shaved head, and/or ornamental cuts are not permitted
• Front bangs must not obstruct vision or fall below the eyebrows

Boys

• On the sides, hair must be no longer than the ear lobes
• On the back of the head, hair must be off the collar
• Ponytails, top knots, mullets, rat tails, and/or the like are not permitted

Body Adornments and Head Coverings

For the purpose of the GFA Dress Code Policy, accessories here and throughout the policy include, but are not limited to jewelry of any kind, hats, belts, scarves, knit gloves, sweat bands, etc.

Boys and Girls

• Jewelry around the neck or wrist may be worn in moderation
• Sunglasses must be removed  and put away when entering the buildings
• Hats, hoods, bandanas and/or the like must be removed when entering the GFA facilities, and/or church, unless specific permission has been granted
• Excessive or large chains, dog collar necklaces, spikes, and/or other accessories that would draw undue attention or is considered a safety issue are not permitted
• No body piercing of any kind may be worn while on school campus
• No permanent or temporary tattoos
• No drawing or writing on skin or clothing of any student

Boys are not permitted to wear earrings of any kind.

Girls may wear one-holed traditional earrings.

Physical Education (P.E.)

Elementary P.E. classes follow the Daily Dress Requirements, as outlined above, with exception to gym shoes. The P.E. teacher has the discretion to require athletic attire, with appropriate notification to the parent/student.

Boys and Girls

• Designated pair of gym shoes with soles that will not mark up the gym floor
• Gym shoes are worn only in the gym when participating in P.E. or related activities that may require the students to be on the floor

Other School Events/Activities

There are occasions when the teacher and/or administration has the discretion to require a different dress standard, with parent/student notification, for other school events and activities, i.e. field trips, fun-run, fundraisers, Christmas program, etc.

Boys and Girls

• Clothing must be clean, in good repair, with no holes, tears or frayed seams
• Any article of clothing that is tight, clingy, sheer and/or the like is not permitted
• Clothing and/or accessories which advertise any type of tobacco, alcoholic beverage, or drugs, feature a secular music group or radio station, insinuates in any way off-colored and/or negative connotations, and/or the like, are not permitted
• No low-riding or baggy clothing
• Under garments must be completely covered
• Slippers, pajama tops or bottoms are not permitted
• No clothing and/or accessories associated with gangs and /or gang-related activities are permitted

Girls

• Shorts and skorts must be modest and no shorter than finger-tip length
• Skirts and dresses must be modest and no shorter than three inches above the knee

School-Sponsored Events

GFA school-sponsored events, such as musicals, dramas, auction, athletic competitions, and/or other extracurricular school-related activities that students are participating in will require the elementary student to follow the same general rules of appearance as described in the Dress Code Policy.