Youth Leadership Academy
Elgin IL
Dress Code
 
WHY IS THERE A DRESS CODE?
The Youth Leadership Academy implements a dress code policy to create a safer and more pleasant environment, encourage and support positive peer relations, and avoid inappropriate attire while active as a cadet of the program. YLA promotes the philosophy that leadership development of the cadets is our core function; thus, cadets should dress appropriately for this environment … an environment that provides leadership development, academic, social, and personal skills students need to become life-long learners, confident and responsible citizens, and productive members of society.”
 
GENERAL GUIDELINES
  • The dress code is required for all YLA events and off-campus academy-sponsored activities unless specified otherwise by the executive director or the president of the academy.
  • Gang-related dress is not tolerated in any form and action is taken immediately, including, dismissal from the program and parent notification. Reinstatement requires Board of Directors approval.
  • Violation of the dress code policy results in disciplinary action, immediate dismissal from the session and parent notification.
  • Multiple violations of the Dress Code Policy (2 or more) is grounds for permanent dismissal from the program.
  • Specific consequences are outlined in the rules of conduct.
  • The executive director and/or the president of the academy reserve the right to make all final decisions about issues relating to the dress code policy.
 
SHOES
Shoes are required at all times. Shoes must fit the foot properly, meaning the heel of the foot may not slip out of the shoe when the student is walking or running. Shoes must have a back or a strap across the back. The strap of the shoe must be the strap made by the manufacturer. Open-toed shoes with a back are allowed. Tennis shoes, board shoes, skateboard shoes, slippers, flip-flops, and slides are not allowed. Shoes will be black or brown, in good repair and shall appear as appropriate for a business environment.
PANTS, SHORTS, AND SKIRTS
  • Jeans WILL NOT be worn. This includes blue, black or any other conceivable denim style, color or configuration.
  • Pants, shorts, skirts, jumpers, dresses, and overalls (hereafter referred to as “pants”) are preferred to be plain khaki colored. Other dress or business casual style pants are acceptable as long as they fit appropriately and are worn with a belt..
  • Accessories, such as stitching and embroidery patterns, are allowed on pants if it is in good taste and appropriate for a “business environment”.
  • Pants must be in good repair. Pants must have a hem and not have any holes or tears.
  • The length of long pants may not go past the top part of the heel of the shoe, and pants may not drag on the ground. The length of shorts/skirts/jumpers must be longer than midthigh.
  • The pants are to fit appropriately and should not be too big or too small. Sagging of the pants and baggy pants are not allowed. The waist size of the pants should be within two inches of the actual waist size of the student.
  • Belts should fit within three to four inches of the waist size of the student. Long belts hanging down are not acceptable.
 
SHIRTS
  • Shirts must have a collar and short or long sleeves.
  • Polo shirts are acceptable. Shirts do not need to be the Polo brand, but must be the traditional style of polo shirts.
  • The polo shirts should be plain colored. Any color is acceptable. Shirts with patterns,stripes, plaid design, pictures, words, or more than one color are allowed only if deemed in good taste as interpreted by the YLA staff and are suitable for wear in a business environment.
  • Shirts must be in good repair. Shirts must have a hem, all buttons securely attached, and may not have any holes or tears.
  • Shirts are to fit appropriately and should not be too big or too small.
  • Shirts must cover the waist of the pants, including when the arms are raised or stretched directly above the head.
  • Shirts worn on the outside of the pants may not hang longer than the middle of the thigh. All other shirts are to be tucked in so the waistline is visible. Shirts may not hang longer than the shorts/skirts.
  • Shirts may not include lettering, except for the Youth Leadership Academy shirts or the logo of the manufacturer. The logo of the manufacturer may only be on the upper left side of the shirt. Shirts with advertisement logos are not allowed.
 
 
To request a replacement Youth Leadership Academy Shirt
Youth Leadership Academy orders shirts in August of each year. The shirts are available in both youth and adult sizes. The shirts are provided on a first come basis. Requests should be made in writing to the Executive Director. If a replacement shirt is required because of sizing, the old shirt should be turned in. Replacements for “Lost Shirts” are $10.00.
 
ACCESSORIES
  • Backpacks - Any style of backpack is acceptable, including backpacks on wheels. Backpacks may include writing, colors, and pictures that are printed by the manufacturer. Backpacks may not include writing, colors, or pictures that are not printed by the manufacturer. Backpacks may not include inappropriate or obscene writing, symbols, or pictures. Extra accessories, such as keychains, may not be displayed on the outside of backpacks.
  • Hair Color – Student hair is to be one color. The hair may be dyed from its natural color, but the hair color must be a “traditional” hair color, such as black, blonde, brown, or red. The hair color may not be a “non-traditional” color, such as purple, orange, or green. The hair may not be dyed more than one color, such as half black and half blonde.
  • Jewelry – Students are allowed to wear appropriate jewelry. Spiked or studded necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other similar jewelry are not allowed.
  • Body Piercing – Pierced ears are allowed. All other real or imitation body piercing is not allowed on or off campus during YLA sessions. Students with real or imitation pierced body parts must conceal the pierced body parts, except for pierced ears, while on campus or at off-campus YLA-sponsored events.
  • Tattoos - Real or imitation tattoos are not allowed. Students with real or imitation tattoos must conceal the tattoos while on campus or at off-campus YLA-sponsored events.
  • Hats/Caps – Hats and caps may be worn outside, but may not be worn indoors under any circumstance. Hats and caps must be worn appropriately at all times with the front of the hat or cap facing towards the front. Hats or caps may not be worn backwards or sideways. Head scarves, bandannas, and hair nets are not allowed.
  • Sunglasses – Sunglasses may be worn outside, but may not be worn indoors. Sunglasses are to be worn over the eyes and may not be worn on the back of the head.
 
 
 
SWEATSHIRTS, SWEATERS, JACKETS, AND COATS
  • A sweater may be worn inside as an outer garment.
  • Sweatshirts are to be plain colored. Sweatshirts may not include patterns, stripes, pictures, words, plaid design, or more than one color.
  • Sweatshirts may not have any lettering or pictures, except for the Youth Leadership Academy logo or the logo of the manufacturer. The logo of the manufacturer may only be on the upper left side of the sweatshirt. Advertisement logos are not allowed.
  • Sweatshirts may be worn over the polo shirt with the collar of the shirt showing on the outside of the sweatshirt.
  • Sweatshirts may be worn in the classroom.
  • A “jacket” is defined as a garment to wear outside. Hooded sweatshirts, coats, and sweatshirts with zippers, buttons, or ties are considered a jacket and may be worn outside only.
  • Jackets may be any color and may include school appropriate pictures, lettering, or design. Jackets may not include offensive or inappropriate pictures, symbols, or writing.
 
W. E. Scott MD, PhD,
President/Board Chairman