School Uniforms
Telra Institute recognizes the benefit that dress code and uniform standards have in creating a distraction-free environment for learning and in contributing to school identity and spirit (see spiritwear).
In establishing our dress code, we strive to strike a balance between safety, simplicity, and flexibility. We aim for a common style and standard while allowing parents the freedom to use the vendors of their choice for convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Dress Code Principles
Support active kids
Children will be physically active every day. Ensure clothing, shoes, and accessories are safe and appropriate for kids running, playing, and jumping.
Minimize distraction
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All clothing items (with the exception of shoes and coats for outside wear) must be solid colored and free of patterns, graphics, logos, or text.
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No make-up, visible tattoos, or glitter allowed. Hair and nail polish allowed in natural colors only.
Reinforce pride in self and in school
All clothing must be neat, clean, well-fitting, and in good condition (no holes or rips). Outfit components must follow the style, length, and color standards.
We know these are hard times for many families and we never want financial constraints to prevent a child from taking advantage of the unique education that Telra can provide.
Click the button below if you need some help in purchasing a school wardrobe for your child or if you would like to be a Uniform Angel to help another family.
Standards
The basic Telra uniform is a solid colored polo top and neutral-colored dress bottoms (specific colors described below). Various combinations are possible, and parents may purchase uniform components from any vendor. While general guidelines are provided here, we understand no set of dress code standards will address every scenario. In the event of doubt, the school Principal is charged with interpreting and enforcing these standards.
Step 1: Required Basics
Pants
Dress-style. No corduroy or knit material. No jogger style. Neat cargo pockets ok.
Length: Full-length to ankle (no capris, should not drag on ground)
Color: Telra neutrals
Shorts & Skirts
Dress-style. No corduroy or knit material. Neat cargo pockets ok. Skorts ok. Modesty shorts required under skirts.
Length: No longer than knee-length and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee
Color: Telra neutrals
Shirts
Polo-style cotton or synthetic collared shirts. No puff sleeves. Standard collars - no peter pan collars or decorative stitching.
Length: Long sleeve or short sleeve. Tucked in for grades 2+
Color: Classic and Graded colors
Dresses
Polo-style, one-piece collared dresses (short or long-sleeve) over modesty shorts
Length: No longer than knee-length and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee
Color: Classic and Graded colors
Step 2: Optional Layers
Top layers
sweaters, vests, cardigans, zip ups, sweatshirts
Fleece or tightly knit or woven fabric, without a hood. Must be worn over an approved shirt or dress
Length: Waist/hip length or above (no long sweaters)
Color: Telra neutrals, Classic, or Graded colors
Jumpers
Dress-style. No corduroy or knit material. Must be worn over approved shirt and modesty shorts.
Length: No longer than knee-length and no shorter than 2 inches above the knee
Color: Telra neutrals
Sub-layers
undershirts, camisoles, turtlenecks
Permitted if worn underneath approved shirt or dress
Length: Tuck in if needed to ensure hem not visible
Color: Classic or Graded colors + white
Tights or Leggings
Permitted if worn underneath approved bottoms or dress
Length: Full-length to ankle
Color: Telra neutrals, white, navy, or a Classic or Graded color that matches the top
Step 3: Footwear
Sneakers / tennis shoes
Solid or patterned, but nothing distracting (no lights, charms, sequins, etc.)
Style: Toes must be enclosed and no high tops permitted. No Natives, Keens, Crocs, etc.
Color: No neon colors
Dress shoes, heels, boots
Not allowed - However, students may wear weather-appropriate boots to-from school or for recess on rainy/snowy days if they change into tennis shoes once inside.
Sandals, Crocs, flip flops, Natives, Keens, anything with open toes or tops
Not allowed
Socks
Subtle logos ok
Color: Telra neutrals, white, or black
Step 4: Accessories
Belts
Not required, but functional belts may be worn with pants, shorts, or skirts that have belt loops.
Color: Black, brown, or Telra neutral
Jewelry
Light, stud earrings permitted. No necklaces, watches, or bracelets.
Headwear
Hats, bandanas, or other head coverings are not allowed indoors. Thin headbands (solid colors and minimalistic) ok for hair retention
Step 5: Outerwear
No restrictions on coats or other outerwear when worn outside. Any length. Any color.
Colors
Classic Colors
Commonly-available classic colors can be part of the uniform for all Telra students. We want to ensure families have ready access to affordable uniform components online or in-store.
Navy
Red
Light Blue
Pink
Examples of approved Classic Colors by brand or retailer:
Children's Place - navy (nautico, tidal), red (ruby, classic red), light blue (daybreak, brook), pink (sparklpink)
Land's End - navy (classic navy), red, light blue (blue), pink (ice pink)
Cat & Jack - navy, red, light blue, pink
French Toast - navy, light blue
Old Navy - navy (ink blue, dark sea blue), red (red tape, robbie red), light blue (monet blue, something blue), pink (preppy pink, puffy pink)
GAP - navy (crayon true indigo, true indigo), red (modern red, ruby red), light blue (Hampton blue, pure blue)
Graded Colors
In addition, we “unlock” additional Telra colors for students to wear as they mature and progress through the school. This becomes a fun way for students to memorialize advancing in grades and it helps establish grade-band community. We ask that each child have at least one shirt or dress in their grade-band Telra color to wear for class pictures or other special events.
Telra Teal
Grades K & 1
Telra Orange
Grades 2 & 3
Examples of approved Graded Colors by brand or retailer:
The Children's Place - flame
Land's End - teal breeze, orange spice
French Toast - teal
Old Navy - orange surfboards
Cherokee - teal, orange
Wonder Nation - teal, orange
Telra Neutrals
All grades may wear Telra neutrals—medium gray and khaki—for pants, shorts, skirts, and jumpers.
Examples of approved Telra Neutrals by brand or retailer:
The Children's Place - medium gray (storm, gray steel), khaki (sandwash), avoid: flax and fin gray
Land's End - medium gray (gray, arctic gray), khaki, avoid: charcoal heather
Cat & Jack - medium gray (charcoal gray), khaki (khaki, light khaki, beige)
French Toast - khaki
Old Navy - khaki (rolled oats, khaki, shore enough), avoid: earl gray
GAP - medium gray (grey), khaki (wicker, beige, khaki)
Primary - slate gray
Masks
Any child-appropriate patterns or colors are acceptable. Please avoid text.
Spiritwear
The spring spiritwear store has closed, but keep an eye out for more opportunities to purchase school-branded clothing.
We never want financial constraints to prevent a child from taking advantage of the unique education that Telra can provide.
Click here if you need some help in purchasing a school wardrobe for your child or if you would like to be a Uniform Angel and support another family.