Students are expected to adhere to standards of dress and appearance. Our guiding principles for the student dress code are similar to those experienced and expected in the workplace: attire that furthers health and safety of students and staff, enables the educational process, and facilitates the operations of the school.  Parents are asked to partner with the school district to monitor student attire to help adhere to the guiding principles set forth in the policy.

To promote these goals, students may not wear or carry clothing, jewelry, book bags, or other personal articles that:

1. Depict profanity, vulgarity, obscenity, or violence;

2. Promote the use or abuse of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs;

3. Are prohibited under Policy 4309 III-2 (Gang and Gang Related Activity) or any other provision of the Code of Student Conduct;

4. Threaten the health or safety of staff or students; or

5. Are reasonably likely to create a substantial disruption of the educational process or operations of the school.

Specifically:

a) Students must wear clothing that covers their skin from chest to mid-thigh with opaque (non-see-through) fabric in front, back, and on the sides.

b) Students must wear shoes at all times except when changing for physical education or athletic practices or events or when specifically directed otherwise by a teacher or administrator.

c) Clothing must cover undergarments (waistbands and straps excluded).

d) Breasts, genitals and buttocks must be covered with opaque (non-see-through) fabric.

e) Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities including physical education, science labs, wood shop, and other activities where unique hazards exist.

f) Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.

g) Head coverings (including hats, hoods, sweat bands, and bandanas) are generally prohibited in the school building.  However, students may wear head coverings in the school building as an expression of sincerely held religious belief (e.g., hijabs or yarmulkes) or cultural expression (e.g., geles) or to reasonably accommodate medical or disability-related issues (e.g., protective helmets).

Enforcement: Any school dress code enforcement actions should minimize the potential loss of educational time. When a school staff member or school administrator discusses a dress or grooming violation with a student, the adult should be the same gender as the student if practicable. Staff concerns about student attire should be discussed discretely and out of earshot of other students to the extent practicable. Teachers or staff discussing a dress or grooming violation with a student should present options for obtaining appropriate clothing (e.g., school clothing closet) or otherwise complying with this dress code (e.g., removing a problematic item). School-directed changes to a student’s attire or grooming should be the least restrictive and disruptive to the student’s school day.

Applicability: This policy is to be applied fairly and consistently without regard to race, gender, or other inherent traits or characteristics.  Principals or their designees shall make reasonable accommodations for religious, educational, medical, or disability-related reasons and for cultural celebrations. 

This policy does not apply to school-sanctioned uniforms and costumes approved for athletics, choral, band, dance, or dramatic performances.  Except as specifically noted in this policy based on an exception or accommodation, this policy applies at all times when students are present on school property or in attendance at official, school-sponsored events. 

Adopted: May 7, 2019