Dress Code
The district believes that all students should wear clothing to school that fits well, is clean and neat, reflects pride in oneself, is conductive to the learning process and demonstrate respect for the school. It is the mission of the school district to not only provide academic education but also to provide education in morals, manners, dress and grooming because these are elements of good citizenship. Research has shown that students dress and appearance affect student attitudes and conduct. These guidelines are intended to define "appropriate student attire" and personal grooming. Their purpose is to prevent disruption of the classroom atmosphere, enhance classroom decorum, and eliminate disturbances among other students so as not to interfere with the educational process. It is also intended to help protect the health and welfare of individual students.
1. Students must dress safely. For example, shoes must be worn at all times at school during school activities.
2. Students must dress appropriately for educational activities in which they will participate so as not to endanger their health, safety, or welfare.
3. Clothing, tattoos, and jewelry shall be free of writing, pictures, or any other insignias that are crude, vulgar, profane, obscene, libelous, or sexually offensive. Clothing or jewelry that advocates racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice, or other unlawful acts, or the use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol is prohibited.
4. Dark glasses shall not be worn in classrooms or offices unless a documented, health-related problem exists.
5. Clothes shall be clean so as not to promote unhealthy or unsanitary conditions.
6. Undergarments shall be covered at all times.
7. There shall be no bare midriffs; tube tops, halter tops, etc., shall not be permitted. Blouses or shirts shall be long enough to cover midriffs are at all times. Dresses, skirts, and shorts shall be at least mid-thigh length (to fingertips when arms are extended at one's side). Underwear-type sleeveless shirts, see-through or fishnet fabrics, or other attire, which exposes the body in a sexually suggestive manner, shall not be permitted.
8. Hats or other head coverings, by nature of their color, arrangement, trademark or any other attribute, may denote membership in gangs or advocate racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice, drug use, violence, intimidation or disruptive behavior. Because of this, hat restrictions are as follows:
At all 9-12 comprehensive High School Campuses:
Students are permitted to wear school sanctioned hats/head coverings only. All 9-12 grade students are required to adhere to the following guidelines when wearing hats or head coverings on campus:
a. Hats/head coverings may only be worn outside or school buildings. Hats worn inside school buildings, including classrooms, will be considered a violation of the dress code.
b. Site approved school hats sold by the student store, furnished by a school athletic team or otherwise approved by site administration are permitted. School approved a violation of the dress code.
c. Students may not wear any other hats/head coverings that are not site approved. Any student that needs assistance in acquiring an approved hat/head covering for medical, religious or other special circumstances must see an administrator for approval.
At K-8 Campuses and Alternative Education Sites:
a. Hats and caps shall be worn or displayed unless a documented, health-related problem exists.
b. Hats may be worn outside only and solely for the purpose of sun protection. Hats made of pliable canvas material with a 3-5 inch brim around the entire circumference of the hat. They may not sport an insignia, other than the school insignia.
c. During inclement winter weather, the following head coverings may be allowed, with the principal's permission, only when the student is outside: Hoods on sweatshirts or jackets.
For all campuses:
a. Hats may never be worn indoors or on buses, vans, etc., during the normal school day and must be stored when not being worn.
b. Bandannas, hair nets or other head coverings shall not be permitted.
9. Clothing shall be fitted and worn as its design was traditionally intended.
a. Pants, shorts, skirts and overalls shall be worn with the waistline around the wearer's waist. "Waist" is defined as the area at or above the top of the hips.
b. Pants, shorts and overalls shall be considered too baggy when the two pant-side seams of and individual pant leg are brought to the front of the mid-thigh and the side seams touch.
c. Overall straps shall be fastened.
10. Earrings and other body piercings items shall be worn in ears only.
11.Hair shall be clean and neatly groomed. Haircuts or hairstyles that draw undue attention to the wearer or detracts from the educational process shall not be acceptable.
12. Attire that may be used as a weapon shall not be worn (eg., steel-toed boots, items with spikes or studs).
13. Students shall not display any material or paraphernalia, which incites a disruption of the school process or creates a clear and present danger either the commission of unlawful acts on school premises or the violation of District or school-site policies or rules.
14. Gang-related apparel or paraphernalia, including symbols, emblems, insignia, or other gang identifiers, shall not be worn or displayed. This rule prohibits the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, notebook, or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, or other attribute, denotes membership in or affiliation with gangs. In case of doubt as to whether an item is gang-related, the principal or designee shall consult with local law enforcement or other school personnel with expertise in gang activity. Such items shall be confiscated and turned over to local law enforcement agencies for appropriate action. Confiscated items shall not be returned to the student. Parents may request return of items from the appropriate agency.
15. Any apparel, hairstyle, cosmetics, accessory, or jewelry, even if not specifically mentioned above, that creates a safety or health concern, draws undue attention to the wearer, or tends to detract from the education process, shall be prohibited.
Limited, written exceptions to this policy may be made by the principal for special days, special events or other unusual circumstances.
Consequences
Student violations of these regulations shall be deemed as willful defiance of the valid authority of the school principal, and the following administrative guidelines designate a range of penalties to be utilized with each classification of student misconduct. The guidelines are designed are designed to provide for variations in the circumstances associated with individual students involved in each episode of dress code violation. The circumstances associated with the aggravated case my result in the preliminary steps in the guidelines and the application of the last steps.
1. Verbal warning and student asked to immediately correct the dress code violation. Student shall remain in the office until the inappropriate dress is corrected.
a. Student my change into acceptable clothing that is already at school.
b. Student may call parent to bring appropriate clothing.
c. Student may be temporarily supplied with appropriate clothing by the school until the end of school day or until appropriate clothing is brought by parent.
2. If student refuses to immediately correct the dress code violation, the student shall be in defiance of school authorities. Parents shall be notified and a parent conference held. Parent and student shall review the dress code regulations with an administrator. In-school suspension and/or Saturday School may be assigned for defiance.
3. A second failure to comply with the dress code shall result in additional parent conferences and a one-to-five day suspension.
4. Continued defiance of school of school authority or violations, which threaten a safe and secure educational environment, may result in suspension or possible recommendation for expulsion or alternative placement.