Dress Code
Definitions:
“Apparel” means clothing; headwear; facial coverings; accessories such as scarves, sunglasses, or jewelry; shoes; and articles worn as clothing.
“Grooming” means makeup, tattoos, and hair style.
“Dress code” means the set of parameters established within this Policy that describes the standards for student attire and grooming.
General Principles:
Districtwide standards on student apparel are intended to reduce discipline problems and maintain school order and safety. Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for all school activities and school-sponsored events. Reasonable cleanliness of apparel is expected as a matter of general health and welfare. Apparel should not interfere with or endanger the student while the student is participating in classroom or other school-sponsored activities. The decision as to the safety or unsuitability of the apparel is a matter for the instructor's or school administrator's judgment.
Apparel must be worn in a way that covers breasts, nipples, genitals, and buttocks. Apparel covering these areas must be opaque. Items listed in the “Students Must Wear” section must meet this requirement.
Subject to approval of the superintendent or designee, principals may establish additional specific standards for their own schools.
Students Must Wear*:
1. A shirt (covers the upper part of the body with fabric in the front, back, and on the sides underneath the arms); AND
2. Pants or the equivalent (e.g., a skirt, sweatpants, leggings, a dress, or shorts); AND
3. Shoes (e.g., sandals, boots, or athletic shoes).
*Course, athletic, or activity specific apparel or shoe requirements may be permitted as authorized by the principal or designee (e.g., athletic shoes for physical education).
Students Cannot Wear:
1. Apparel that causes or is likely to cause disruption of the educational process, which may include apparel that displays symbols of hate or speech that expresses animus or violence toward a particular group or individual on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, age or disability.
2. Apparel that depicts, implies, advertises, or advocates:
a. Illegal or lewd conduct;
b. Pornography, nudity, or sexually suggestive language or messages; c. Vulgar or obscene language or images.
3. Swimsuits (except as required in class or athletics).
4. Apparel that covers a student’s face, eyes, or ears. Hats or hoods that do not obscure a student’s face or ears are permitted. Protective facial coverings or apparel/headgear worn for religious or medical purposes are also permitted.
5. Any manner of grooming or apparel, which by virtue of color, arrangement, trademark, or other attribute is associated with or denotes membership in or affiliation with any gang. The prohibition on gang-related apparel shall be applied at the discretion of school principals after consultation with the superintendent or designee as the need arises at individual schools.
Dress Code Enforcement:
A student who violates this dress code will be notified of the violation. Before re-entering class, the student will be provided one or more of the following three options: (1) wear their own alternative clothing, if available at school; (2) wear school provided clothing; or (3) call a parent or guardian to bring alternative clothing. A parent conference may be held at the discretion of the building-level administrator. More severe disciplinary consequences, including suspension or expulsion, may result from repeated or serious violations.
School personnel have the right to confiscate articles that are forbidden on campus under the above code. If an item such as a shirt, jacket, etc. is confiscated, students will be provided one or more of the options listed above for alternative clothing. Confiscated items will be sent to the Principal's Office where they may be released to the parent/guardian. Students who refuse to surrender an article will be subject to disciplinary procedures for defiance.