Rules of Civility: Nos. 7, 26, 27, 51, 52, and 54

​​When George Washington was about 16 years old, he set about to copy 110 Rules of Civility from a school book.  The exercise was intended to improve his penmanship while at the same time develop his character.  While some of the Rules are obsolete, a few of them are quite relevant today.

These rules are about avoiding distractions through your own appearance:

Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others,

nor go out your Chamber half Drest.

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​In Pulling off your Hat to Persons of Distinction, as Noblemen,

Justices, Churchmen &c make a Reverence, bowing more or less

according to the Custom of the Better Bred, and Quality of the Person.

Amongst your equals expect not always that they Should begin

with you first, but to Pull off the Hat

when there is no need is Affectation, in the Manner of Saluting

and resaluting in words keep to the most usual Custom.
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Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered

as well as not to do it to whom it's due Likewise he that makes

too much haste to Put on his hat does not well,

yet he ought to Put it on at the first,

or at most the Second time of being ask'd; now what is herein Spoken,

of Qualification in behaviour in Saluting,

ought also to be observed in taking of Place,

​and Sitting down for ceremonies without Bounds is troublesome.

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Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or Dusty but See they be Brush'd

once every day at least and take heed tha[t] you approach not

to any Uncleaness.

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In your Apparel be Modest and endeavour to accomodate Nature,

rather than to procure Admiration keep to the Fashio[n] of your equals

Such as are Civil and orderly with respect to Times and Places.

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Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you,

to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well

​if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.

The general rule for appearance is that personal appearance should not distract from the learning occurring in our school.

• Refrain from wearing anything that promotes violence (images and/or words including, but not limited to, weapons and gangs).
• Refrain from wearing anything that refers or implies sexual activity.
• Refrain from wearing anything that promotes a movie or television show that is rated R, NC17, etc.
• Wear sleeves that do not expose the underarm.
• Wear pants that are not tight or clothing that hangs loosely.
• Shorts and skirts should be longer rather than shorter (Just above the knee is acceptable.).
• Underwear must not be exposed.
• Do not adjust your underwear publicly.
• Clothes must be clean.
• Hats are not allowed to be worn in the classroom.
• Pajamas and house shoes (slippers) are inappropriate attire for school.
• Shoes must be appropriate for PE and recess activities every day.
• Wear socks with your shoes.
• Do not plan to change your shoes for PE and recess; wear your shoes all day.
• A light jacket or heavy coat (with gloves, ear-covering, etc.) are necessary on cold days.
• Shorts and t-shirts are never appropriate on colder days.
• Heavy coats should not be worn inside the classroom.

Rules regarding dress and appearance are not intended to restrict freedom of speech or expression of creativity.  They are primarily for the purpose of maintaining an orderly educational setting, and minimize distractions for others, while at the same time, keeping children safe from predation.