news-record.com

Ever-evolving fashion trends will no longer be a factor for students attending Jamestown schools.

Both Jamestown Middle School and Ragsdale High School have decided to convert to a Standard Mode of Dress, meaning the schools will set strict guidelines on what the students can wear to school.

This fall, 12 of 21 middle schools and nine of 25 high schools will have SMODs. Most limit students to solid, polo-type shirts and khaki or dress pants and skirts.

Denise Richmond, Jamestown Middle's principal, said SMOD helps build a sense of community and purpose at the school.

She said the decision process was a yearlong endeavor.

"Jamestown Middle included parents, staff and the community in sharing information and receiving feedback. The school community voted at the end of the year after several discussions and community meetings," said Richmond.

Ragsdale High School Principal Kathryn Rogers said the school has discussed changing to SMOD for about three years.

In the fall of 2007, Ragsdale conducted a staff survey that showed they were in favor of going to SMOD.

Ragsdale coordinated with Jamestown Middle throughout the year and asked for parent input this spring through the Parent Teacher Student Association.

Rogers said results of polls showed the majority of parents were in favor of a stricter dress code.

Ragsdale's SMOD guidelines were included in every report card at the end of the school year.

The guidelines can also be found on their Web site: http://schoolcenter.gcsnc.com/education/school/school.php?sectionid=40.

Jamestown Middle's SMOD guidelines are not yet posted online, but will be before school starts.

Contact Adria Hairston at 883-4422, Ext. 244 or adria.hairston@news-record.com