JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A shift in the uniform policy at Westside High School, which parents say wasn’t clearly communicated ahead of the new school year, has kept some students out of class and left parents frustrated and confused.
A meeting at the school on Monday evening might clear things up.
The uniform policy is expected to be a main topic of conversation at the meeting, which is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Media Center at Westside High. It’s sponsored by the School Advisory Council, which helps create the school’s uniform policy, according to the district’s guidelines.
Westside High’s strict enforcement of its adjusted uniform policy has meant that dozens of students have been pulled from classes in the first week of school for what parents say are minor violations -- like wearing pants with pockets or having a shirt in the right color but without the school’s logo.
Parents have voiced complaints about how the uniform violations have been handled, wondering why a grace period wasn’t provided since the new uniform policy wasn’t communicated until about a week before the start of school.
A representative of Duval County Public Schools agreed with those parents during a news conference at district headquarters on Wednesday, saying he encourages schools to offer a grace period for students to comply with uniform requirements.
DCPS Chairwoman Charlotte Joyce echoed that sentiment when she spoke to News4JAX last Tuesday.
“I think what we had questions about, a grace period. What we need to have across the district is a grace period for our students and our parents to make sure that their needs are being taken care of,” Joyce said.
Joyce said she also wants options for parents who struggle to afford the uniforms.
“We want our parents to know we are going to work with them,” she said. “For example, I was the magnet coordinator at Joseph Stillwell. We used a vendor, RC Uniforms. We had a stipend for children who could not afford it.”
Parents have also expressed concern over the requirements of the strict uniform policy at a public high school, saying some students have been pulled from class this week simply because their shirts are missing the school logo — even if the rest of the outfit meets the guidelines.
The school says the policy is mandatory, with no opt-out option.
Ray, whose daughter is a senior at Westside High, said he’s concerned that the policy wasn’t communicated better, particularly if the school wasn’t planning on a grace period for the start of the school year.
“I was in the office with a few other parents at the same time who were just as mixed up and crazy about the whole thing as I was. And instead of giving a grace period of, ‘OK, we’re going to be enforcing this. This is what we need you to do.’ They gave a very obfuscated idea of what they were after, and then they’re putting the kids into the cafeteria and into the auditorium and keeping them away from their learning,” Ray said. “It’s not like they’re doing teaching or anything in there. For some reason, this uniform is so important to them that they are segregating the kids off into a side room and just having them sit out the day.”
Timothy Simmons, the regional superintendent of high schools and alternative schools for DCPS, spoke for about 10 minutes on Wednesday, Aug. 13, discussing how a school’s uniform policy is created, steps schools can take when a student’s attire doesn’t align with its policies, and addressing claims that certain staff members had been examining tags on students’ clothes to ensure they were compliant.
On the latter point, Simmons stated that no district or school policy instructs staff members to check the tags of a student’s clothes to ensure it was purchased from a specific vendor.
“In regard to the actual vendor that is used to purchase a uniform, each school has a vendor that they usually work with, but they’re also, most importantly, they’re looking at the colors for the safety aspect of what the student is wearing,” Simmons said.
The vendor question has arisen because a message posted Tuesday evening by Westside High School Principal Vincent Foster laid out the uniform requirements, saying polo shirts must be in the school colors of gray, black, or red with the school logo.
“Button-up shirts and jackets with the school logo are also available for purchase,” the message reads.
And a flyer posted by Westside High School directs parents to a specific company -- RC Uniforms -- to purchase the tops with the school logo.
In his news conference, Simmons also addressed the claims that a large number of students were sent to the school’s auditorium as a result of their uniform infractions.
“We did house students into the auditorium to make parent contact and provide redirection for the uniform,” he said. He also confirmed that about 100 students were brought in for uniform violations.
Simmons’ full press conference can be found below:
Simmons indicated that students in the district are not required to wear school logos on their uniform shirts. But according to the district’s “general code of appearance” policy, “a school may implement a school uniform requirement through the shared decision-making process, with input from the School Advisory Council.”
So schools set their own uniform policies, based on the district’s general appearance guidelines.
The district also says, though, that “to maximize instructional time, students will be given an opportunity to immediately correct dress code infractions.”
It seems part of the concern from parents this week at Westside High School is that rather than being allowed to correct dress code infractions or being given a grace period for the new rules, students have been pulled from classes.
One mother told News4JAX her son spent two full days in the auditorium— and her daughter, an honor student, was also pulled from class just because her pants had pockets.
“They sent her in the auditorium to sit there. I had to call up there and ask them why. I understand that if all of the kids are out of uniforms, yes, but it’s the first week of school,” Tiffany Kendrick said. “Some of these students haven’t seen their teachers yet. It’s ridiculous. How are they ever going to get an education if you’re putting them in just one room and making them sit there for hours?”
Ray said he wonders why what the students are wearing seems to trump them getting an education.
“I understand the idea that if they all look the same, then nobody can be singled out for wearing clothes, but these clothes can be expensive for some families, and it just seems a little ridiculous that they lose out on their education for not having those clothes,” Ray said.
DCPS said that any questions regarding school uniforms should be directed to school administrators.
The Duval County School Board’s position on school uniforms is outlined in the DCPS Code of Conduct. Individual schools, in collaboration with their School Advisory Council (SAC), can require uniforms.
Principals and school staff are keenly aware of community needs and are committed to working with families to address any challenges or hardships related to uniform expectations. Our goal is to work collaboratively with students and parents to ensure uniform compliance and find solutions with grace and compassion. We are also incredibly proud of the community organizations, volunteers, and parent groups who generously provide resources and uniforms to our students.
If you have any questions about the uniform policy at your student’s school, please contact the school’s front office or principal for guidance.
Duval County Public Schools
For more information on the district’s uniform policy or to apply for financial assistance, parents are also encouraged to contact their child’s school or visit the district’s website.
Principal Foster’s full message to parents is below:
Dear Westside High School Parents and Guardians,
I would like to first apologize for any confusion or frustration that may have been caused by the enforcement of the Westside High School Uniform policy. This correspondence will hopefully clarify the communications previously sent and that are posted on our website.
In our ongoing effort to increase student accountability, promote integrity, and maintain a safe, comfortable learning environment for all students, Westside High School will implement a mandatory school uniform policy for the 2025-2026 school year. All students will be required to wear uniforms and will not have the option to opt out. Research shows that school uniforms improve safety, boost self-esteem, and reduce anxiety about appearance. Uniforms also improve discipline, raise academic performance, and contribute to a stronger school culture. By adopting this policy, we aim to strengthen our Career and Technical Education Academies and better prepare students for success beyond high school.
Uniform Requirements
Shirts:
• Grey, black, or red polo shirts with the school logo.
• Button-up shirts and jackets with the school logo are also available for purchase.
Vendor Information:
R C Uniforms
11153 Beach Boulevard
Jacksonville, Florida 32246
904-646-0493
Bottoms:
• Full-length khaki or black uniform pants, shorts, or skirts.
• No jeans, cargo pants, spandex leggings, jeggings.
• No Distressed (rips, tears, cuts) pants.
Additional Guidelines:
• All shoes must fully cover the feet. Backless shoes are not permitted.
• Hoodies/jackets with hoods, hats, and non-religious head coverings are not permitted on campus.
We are committed to creating an environment where all students can thrive academically and socially. Thank you for your cooperation and support in ensuring the success of our students.
If you are experiencing an unforeseen hardship, please contact our partners at Full Service Schools (FSS) via https://forms.office.com/r/rq5Khci4D5 or by calling 211.
We also cordially invite you to join Westside High School’s School Advisory Council. Our next meeting will take place on Monday, August 25th at 5:30 p.m.
If you have any questions about the uniform policy, please contact the school at 904-573-1170.
Westside High School Principal Vincent Foster