Dress Code and
Uniform Policy.
Odyssey Charter School maintains a dress code and uniform policy designed to support a focused learning environment and shared sense of community across all grade levels (K through 12). All students are expected to adhere to these guidelines while at school and during school-sponsored events.
Uniform Vendors and Requirements
All screened, printed, or embroidered uniform pieces for student wear must be purchased through approved clothing vendors: Tommy Hilfiger and Lands' End. Pants and bottoms are not required to be embroidered. All uniform pieces with old and current logos previously purchased from Lands' End or Flynn and O'Hara are permitted to be worn.
For the 2024-2025 school year, families may purchase iron-on uniform logo patches from the school for their student's shirts purchased from outside vendors. Shirts purchased from outside vendors must be in the same style and color as the polo shirts on the approved uniform vendor websites and may not have any additional logos (Under Armour, Nike, Champion, etc.). Patches are sold at the main office of each building.
Permitted uniform items for each grade level can be found on Lands' End and Tommy Hilfiger websites by searching for Odyssey Charter School Delaware. Upon entering your student's information, the specifically allowed uniform pieces will be displayed.
Uniform Policy by Grade Level
Grades K-5
- Polos: Short-sleeved and long-sleeved embroidered with school logo in navy blue, light blue, and white.
- Bottoms: Khaki, navy blue, or clear blue plaid (pants, shorts, skirts, skorts).
- Dresses/Jumpers: Polo/ponte style in navy blue. Clear blue plaid jumper or solid khaki/navy blue jumper worn with white Peter Pan collared blouse.
Grades 6-8
- Polos: Short-sleeved and long-sleeved embroidered with school logo in navy blue, light blue, grey, and white.
- Bottoms: Pants, shorts, skirts, and skorts to be worn in khaki, navy blue, or clear blue plaid.
Grades 9-12
- Polos: Short-sleeved and long-sleeved embroidered with school logo in navy blue, light blue, white, and grey.
- Bottoms: Pants, shorts, and skirts to be worn in khaki, grey, navy blue, or clear blue plaid.
- Oxfords: Long/short-sleeved oxford shirts allowed if previously purchased. (No longer available for new purchases).
Gym Uniforms
Grades K-8
Students must wear gym uniforms and sneakers to school on active gym days. In grades K-5, teachers will provide the schedule of gym uniform days during the first weeks of school. Students in grades 6-8 will be scheduled into gym classes.
The approved gym t-shirt (gray with navy logo) and/or sweatshirt (navy with white logo) should be purchased at Tommy Hilfiger or Lands' End. K-8 students may also wear approved spirit wear tops provided by the school.
Plain, solid navy blue mesh shorts and/or plain, solid navy blue sweatpants may be purchased anywhere but must be of the same color and style as offered on the Tommy Hilfiger or Lands' End Odyssey uniform websites (Navy, dark blue). K-8 students may wear spirit wear that is solid navy blue (shorts/sweatpants) as acceptable as well.
Gym uniform items are not to be worn with regular uniform items.
Grades 9-12 (High School)
Students scheduled into gym classes (PE or Weight Training) will change into full gym uniforms with sneakers on gym days in the locker room. If students do not wear the full gym uniform, they must bring sneakers to school for gym and change into sneakers at the beginning of class.
High School students are permitted to wear the gym uniform sweatshirt over collared polo shirts as an approved outerwear piece. Students may not wear the sweatshirt without a polo shirt underneath unless in a full gym uniform.
High School students are not permitted to wear spirit wear for gym days.
Uniform Guidelines
Shirts
Shirts must be tucked in at all times. No more than the top two buttons of the shirt may be left open. Altering of required school shirts and/or logo is not permissible. Long sleeve garments may not be worn underneath school shirts that have short sleeves. An acceptable alternative is to wear long sleeve school shirts or school sweaters.
Pants and Shorts
All pants and shorts should be purchased through Lands' End or Tommy Hilfiger. Non-uniform pants, including jeans, jeggings, joggers, cargo pants, and sweatpants are not permitted. Pants should fit appropriately, being neither too tight nor too loose. Additionally, pants should not be too long; they should not drag on the ground.
Skirts, Skorts, Shorts, and Jumpers
Skirts, dresses, skorts, and shorts may not be shorter than one inch above the knee when standing or be at least the length of the fingertips when arms are fully extended at the sides.
Shoes and Socks
Shoes must be closed-toed, hard soled, and have a back. Sneakers, boots, and dress shoes are acceptable. Lower school students must be able to tie their own shoes or should use velcro. UGG slippers and Crocs are not permitted.
Socks must be a solid color.
Sweaters and Fleece
School sweaters or the school fleece with the embroidered school logo from Tommy Hilfiger or Lands' End are the only permissible outer garments to be worn in class. School sweaters are available in a cardigan style, cable hooded style, and crew and V-neck pullover styles. The sweater or fleece must be worn with a school shirt underneath. Blazers (other than school blazers), coats, non-uniform fleeces, jackets, sweatshirts, etc. may not be worn in class or during school hours.
High School students may also wear approved outerwear/spirit wear designated by the building level administration. Outer garments (other than sweaters) must be stored in the student's locker/cubbie. OCS spirit wear hoodies/sweatshirts are not to be worn in class in grades K-8. All spirit wear may only be worn on spirit wear or dress down days.
School Blazers
School blazers embroidered with the school logo are available for purchase through Tommy Hilfiger and Lands' End. On formal dress days, students will be asked to wear their school blazers.
Hats and Headbands
Hats are not permitted to be worn in school. During the colder months, warm hats are allowed and encouraged for outdoor play only. Only solid color headbands in black, navy blue, royal blue, grey, or white without logos are permitted. Headbands must be no more than 2 inches wide.
Backpacks and Book Bags
All students are expected to transport their personal materials in a bag of choice to and from school. All bags are subject to search.
Jewelry, Hairstyles, and Accessories
Excessive jewelry, makeup, or hairstyles that are deemed by the school administration to be distracting or distasteful will not be permitted. Students will be asked to remove excessive makeup or hairstyles or, in the event that is not possible or the student refuses, will be sent home with a parent.
Hairstyles and hair lengths should reflect the atmosphere of decorum desired by the school. Mohawks, shaved designs, and spiked hair are examples of hairstyles that would not be acceptable.
The only permissible body piercing is earrings. No facial piercings may be worn. Earrings must be of modest size to minimize distraction. Students are not prohibited from wearing jewelry; however, Odyssey Charter School discourages wearing any type of valuable articles that could present hardship if lost or stolen. Expensive articles are worn at your own risk. Odyssey Charter School does not assume responsibility for articles lost or stolen.
Hats, bandanas, and sunglasses are all considered inappropriate for regular school wear. Headbands should be purchased through Tommy Hilfiger or Lands' End or be plain black/brown/blue/white plastic or fabric (no jewelry, feathers, dangling articles on headbands or barrettes). Writing on your body is not appropriate and is not allowed.
Blankets, Throws, and Snuggies
Unless for a special occasion permitted by the School Principal, blankets, quilt throws, or snuggies are not permitted in school at any time.
Consequences for Violating Dress Code
In the beginning of the year, teachers will remind students of dress code expectations and issue warnings to those students who are not complying with the dress code. Infractions after warnings are issued will result in consequences for students not complying with the dress code. Dress code violations are a level one infraction.
Used Uniform Program
If you have well-maintained (no holes, no stains) OCS uniform items to donate, please send your clean, freshly-laundered item(s) in school with your child in a bag.
To obtain a used uniform item, you can attend the used uniform sales, which are held regularly and advertised by the PTO. Each item is $5.00. If you have any questions regarding our uniform policy, please contact the administrative assistant at your student's building.
Dress Down Days and School-Sponsored Events
Students are only permitted to "dress down" on designated days with teacher and/or administrator approval. Student clothing on all dress down days, as well as clothing worn to after-school, evening, or other school-sponsored events, must be appropriate according to Odyssey Charter guidelines.
Torn Clothing: Excessively torn or ripped clothing will not be permitted, in particular jeans with holes above the knees. Students are permitted to wear dark colored tights under their jeans.
Slogans & Hats: Slogans and logos on t-shirts must be school appropriate. Hats are not permitted to be worn in school on dress down days. Dress code regulations with regard to jewelry, hairstyles, and accessories also apply on dress down days.
Length & Style: Students wearing skirts or shorts must have clothing of appropriate length; the bottom of the garment must touch the tip of the student's fingertips while standing. Tank tops and/or sleeveless shirts are not permitted for male or female students on dress down days. High-heeled shoes exceeding 1.5 inches are not permitted except at school-sponsored dances.
Any student found to be wearing inappropriate clothing on a dress down day, at an after-school, evening, or other school-sponsored event will be required to change the clothing and/or parent/guardians will be contacted to bring a change of clothing to school. Subsequent infractions may result in other disciplinary action on the part of an administrator.
Dress Down Day Restrictions
All students must wear clothing on dress down days that is appropriate to an academic environment and that adheres to the following guidelines:
- No clothing may be worn that creates a distraction for other students.
- No clothing may be worn that features offensive language, racial or ethnic statements, references to tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or gangs, or wording/graphics that are suggestive of sexual or other inappropriate behavior.
- No clothing or footwear may be worn that may threaten the safety of the wearer or other students (e.g. no shoes with wheels in the soles, or excessively high-heeled or platform shoes, no slides, flip flop shoes, or slippers).
The OCS Spirit Wear and Dress Down Day Calendar will be shared in the beginning of August.
Lost and Found
We urge students and parents to label all belongings. Students are encouraged not to bring large sums of money or items of great value to school. School officials are not responsible for the loss of any item.
Any found article will be sent to the main office of the student's building. If an item is not in the lost and found, a parent or student should report the missing item to a staff member in the office. Periodically, unclaimed items may be donated to the PTO for uniform resale or a charitable organization.