Dress Code

At McKinley, we believe that students learn best in a community where they feel safe, respected, and included. The purpose of our dress code is to support a positive learning environment where all students can focus on their education, express themselves appropriately, and fully participate in school life.

Core Guidelines

• Respectful Expression: Students are encouraged to express themselves through clothing, hairstyles, and accessories, as long as choices do not disrupt learning or endanger safety.

• Inclusive Environment: Clothing, jewelry, or accessories may not include profanity, references to drugs/alcohol, violence, or images/words that degrade or offend any culture, religion, gender, or group of people.

Clothing for Learning and Play

• Active Participation: Clothing should allow students to safely participate in all school activities, including playground time and P.E.

• Coverage: Clothing must cover undergarments and private body parts at all times.

• Length: Dresses, shorts, skorts, and skirts should be mid-thigh (fingertip length) or longer.

• Headwear: Hats may be worn outdoors for sun protection but should be removed indoors.
  
  

Shoes and Safety

• Closed-Toe Requirement: Shoes must fully enclose the foot (toe, heel, and sides) and be worn at all times.

• Not Allowed: Flip-flops, slippers, sandals, or wheeled/motorized shoes.

• Safety First: Students without safe shoes may be asked to call home for an appropriate pair.
  
  

Makeup and Hairstyles

• Focus on Learning: Makeup, hair colors, or hairstyles are welcome as long as they do not interfere with learning or create safety concerns.

• Special Events: Makeup may be worn for Halloween and school performances.

• Equity Commitment: Hairstyles that reflect cultural identity are always welcome and respected.

McKinley’s dress code is grounded in our PRIDE values—Peaceful, Respectful, Intelligent, Diverse, Enthusiastic. Staff will provide reminders and support as needed. Together, we create a learning environment where all Lions can thrive.

Bicycle, Skateboard & Scooter Policy
Helmets are mandatory for children riding their bikes, skateboards or scooters to school. We have bike racks located by both playgrounds. Locks are required and students must lock their own bikes, skateboards or scooters to the rack; they cannot be left in the classrooms, hallways or school office. Always walk bicycles, skateboards or scooters on school grounds.

Dogs on Campus
Dogs are not allowed on campus at any time, even when they are being held or on a leash. Tying dogs to school perimeter fences, whether attended or unattended, is also not permitted. 

Messages and Deliveries to Students
Every effort is made not to interrupt instructional time.

Please ask the office to transmit messages to your child only in the event of an emergency. Lunch deliveries for children should be dropped off at the office where they can be picked up by your child at an appropriate time.

4th and 5th students must remember to bring their musical instrument to school. Forgotten instruments are not accepted for delivery; this is because 4th/5th grade students are learning responsibility and forgetting their instrument will give them the opportunity to learn from their mistake and remember it next time.

Cell Phones and Electronics

Students are not permitted to have cell phones on campus.  If it is an emergency, students can go to the main office and call home. Other personal electronics from home, such as smart-watches, iPads, Kindles etc. are not permitted on campus. McKinley is not responsible for lost or stolen items.