Student Dress Code

A safe and disciplined learning environment is essential to a quality educational program. District-wide standards on student attire are intended to help students concentrate on schoolwork, reduce discipline problems, and improve school order and safety. The Board recognizes that students have a right to express themselves through dress and personal appearance; however, students shall not wear apparel that is deemed disruptive or potentially disruptive to the classroom environment or to the maintenance of a safe and orderly school.

Any student deemed in violation of the student dress code shall be required to change into appropriate clothing or make arrangements to have appropriate clothing brought to school immediately. In this case, there shall be no further penalty.

If the student cannot promptly obtain appropriate clothing, on the first offense, the student shall be given a written warning and an administrator shall notify the student's parents/guardians. On the second offense, the student shall remain in the administrative office for the day and do schoolwork and a conference with parents/guardians shall be held. Classes missed as a result of the second offense are considered excused. On the third offense, the student may be subject to suspension or other disciplinary action in accordance with Board policy concerning student suspensions, expulsions and other disciplinary interventions.

Unacceptable Items

The following items are deemed disruptive to the classroom environment or to the maintenance of a safe and orderly school and are not acceptable in school buildings, on school grounds, or at school activities:

1. Shorts, dresses, skirts or other similar clothing shorter than mid-thigh length
2. Sunglasses or dark glasses, absent a verified medical condition, and/or hats worn inside the classroom. If “hoodies” are worn, the hood may not be worn inside of the school (religious headwear exceptions)
3. Inappropriately sheer, tight or low-cut clothing (e.g., midriffs, halter tops, backless clothing, tube tops, garments made of fishnet, mesh or similar material, muscle tops, etc.) that bare or expose traditionally private parts of the body including, but not limited to, the stomach, buttocks, back and breasts or cleavage
4. Tank tops or other similar clothing with straps narrower than 1.5 inches in width
5. Any clothing item or accessory that causes or may cause a substantial disruption to or material interference with school safety, personal safety and/or the learning environment may result in discretionary intervention by school administrators
6. Any clothing, paraphernalia, grooming, jewelry, hair coloring, accessories, tattoos, or body adornments that are or contain any advertisement, symbols, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that:

• Refer to drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons
• Are of a sexual nature
• By virtue of color, arrangement, trademark, or other attribute denote membership in gangs which advocate drug use, violence, or disruptive behavior
• Are obscene, profane, vulgar, lewd, or legally libelous
• Threaten the safety or welfare of any person
• Promote any activity prohibited by the student code of conduct
• Otherwise disrupt the teaching-learning process
• Tattoos displaying any of these must be covered at all times.

7. Trench coats are not permitted anywhere on school property
8. Soled shoes or sandals must be worn at all times (no “bedroom” slippers or similar footwear)
9. No exposed undergarments
10. No shaved or notched eyebrows (absent a verified medical condition)
11. No red or blue belts or shoelaces
12. No team jerseys or belt buckles that display the numbers 13, 14, 18, 31, 41 or 81
13. No solid red or solid blue shirts (other than designated school uniforms)
14. No red or blue “Dickies” or “Southpole” brand pants, shorts or shirts
15. No red or blue bandanas or any color bandana that is draped on clothing or hanging out of a pocket

Exceptions

Appropriate athletic clothing may be worn in physical education classes. Clothing normally worn when participating in school-sponsored extra curricular or sports activities (such as cheerleading uniforms and the like) may be worn to school when approved by the sponsor or coach.

Building principals, in conjunction with the school accountability committee and their supervisor, may develop and adopt school-specific dress codes that are consistent with this policy.