Hello and Seasons Greetings from the Principal’s Desk! 

I would like to give you information regarding our dress code, 2008 – 2009 school uniforms and winter weather. 

The O’Brien staff and administration have some inquiries about the current handbook policy regarding student dress.  I need to set the record straight.  The handbook was given to our students in August.  We told the students that were significant changes on many areas of the handbook including student dress.  Unfortunately, there are a number of students that did not read the policy and they continue to fail to follow it.  It is a problem.  Students at O’Brien should not wear attire with a hood in the building at any time.  It is a rule in every technical high school; a district policy.  I ask for your support and further, the “no hood rule” is not up for discussion.

I would also like to report to you that parents, students, and faculty were polled on this website regarding school uniforms.  In addition a small group of vocal parents have discussed mandatory uniforms at recent Parent Faculty Organization meetings.  The results and opinions were varied.  As always there is a core group that would like limited choices for student dress and inflexibility that would result in a uniform policy that would be too costly for many families at O’Brien (we must remember we are a public school and the school uniforms required by parochial and private schools are quite costly and most private school children have two wardrobes: one for school and one for life outside of school) there is the opposing view that believes that a dress code or school uniform policy should not be put in place.  It is my job as the principal to come up with a uniform policy that we all can live with, including students that do not want to be subjected to the limitations of a school uniform.  I am excited to report that we have arrived at a compromise.

The 2007- 2008 Academic Non- Trade School Uniform:  All articles will be made by one manufacturer s there will be no question regarding the appropriateness for school dress or the authenticity of the article.  One clear supplier solves many issues.  The uniform committee is reviewing price and quality proposals from companies at this time. School uniform clothing with requisite color coding will be as follows-there will be no exceptions as we took care to be liberal with our school uniform policy to please all stakeholders:

Short and long sleeved “golf or polo” shirts with collars of an interlocking cotton - poly blend with a large specific –standard school crest or logo appliquéd on the front of the shirt the young ladies will be outfitted with shirts that are specifically made for women and girls and the young men will have shirts that are designed to fit young men.  The color choices are: Dark Green (O’Brien Green), Raspberry Pink, Light Yellow or Gold (O’Brien Yellow), or White.

“O’Brien Green” Sweatshirts and winter fleeces without hoods with a large specific –standard school crest or logo appliquéd on the front of the shirt.

White or pale denim long sleeved button down shirts with the school crest available in male or female sizes.

Plaid and khaki skirts will be available through the manufacturer and will meet the 25 inch garment length criteria.

Items that will not come from a sole source manufacturer: Khaki, navy or black slacks chino style- no cargo pants.  Clean dark to medium wash jeans without rips or tears on the body of the jean.  Jeans must fit appropriately:  low-cut, very wide, baggy or dragging or sagging jeans are not acceptable.  The jean styles should be designed with a mild flare, boot – cut or slightly relaxed style.  Please note that” skin tight” slacks or garments are uncomfortable and unhealthy (abdominal cramping and pain may result) for all day wear and are not appropriate for school use. Young ladies may wear jean skirts that measure at least 25 inches from the waist of the garment to the hem.

Hats are not allowed.  Hoods or head coverings are not allowed. 

I do hope this serves to clarify questions you may have regarding the school uniform.  We are looking to keep costs down and anticipate the short sleeved shirts to cost no more than fifteen dollars.  A student can get by with an academic school uniform cost under
One hundred and ten dollars for the academic year by simply buying two short sleeved shirts, two long-sleeved shirts and a winter fleece and using their own chinos or acceptable jeans.  If students choose to purchase shirts alone the costs should fall under seventy five dollars.  Please keep in mind every technical high school in the region has a strict dress code that incorporates a uniform.  The O’Brien dress code has considered every voice. 

Winter weather postings appear on NBC30/WVIT, News Channel 8, and can be heard on the Infinity Broadcasting systems radio stations (WTIC, WRCH and WZMX), we may make an attempt to post on WFSB but do not rely it..  We post to television stations NBC30 and News Channel first.  The auto dialer may also be up and running to keep households informed regarding early dismissals.

I wish each and every one of you a beautiful winter season filled with beauty, awe and above all peace and happiness.
----------- Lisa Hylwa