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While considering changes in the dress code, the faculty kept the following goals in mind:

• The dress code should be clear and simple to eliminate confusion about what students are allowed to wear.
• The dress code should be easy for students to comply with and the clothing should be easy to find.
• The dress code should feature clothing that is moderately priced so as to eliminate competition among students based on designer labels and trendy stores. It should also be comfortable and easy to take care of.

The faculty has endorsed, by a margin of 4 to 1, a dress code proposal that features clothing by Arthur's School Uniforms, a local company that provides clothing for several schools in the area. Conversations with administrators at these schools resulted in high marks for Arthur's in quality and price of the clothing and (especially) in service provided. Arthur's process for purchasing clothing is simple and well organized:

• Order forms are distributed in late winter to students at school. Students take the form home to complete.
• Students bring the completed order form with a deposit back to school.
• Arthur's sends representatives to the school. Each student meets with a representative to review the order form and to have some measurements taken.
• The clothing is manufactured and arrives during the summer. Each family receives a postcard announcing arrival of the order.
• The order is picked up at Arthur's showroom where the student tries on the clothing purchased. If the sizes are wrong, exchanges are made; alterations are also possible. Showrooms are located at the Commerce Center on Reisterstown Road at the Beltway and in Severna Park on Ritchie Highway.
• Arthur's will maintain an inventory of McDonogh clothing that will be available for purchase throughout the year.

The clothing in the new dress code is described below along with a price list. We have agreed to phase in the dress code in the following ways:

• Next year's seniors will not be required to purchase clothing from Arthur's (although they may do so if they wish), but they will be expected to wear clothing that complies with the dress code in effect this year.
• Boys in grades 9-11 next year will be allowed to wear white or light blue oxford shirts that they currently own.
• Special McDonogh dress for boys and girls will remain the same as it is now. Girls may wear any khaki skirt that touches the kneecap (or is longer) for special dress.

More information about the new dress code will be coming out in the next few weeks. Questions may be directed to the Class Deans.