Policy 5511 – STUDENT DRESS CODE

The Board recognizes that each student's mode of dress is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference. The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents/legal guardians to make decisions regarding their appearance, however, the standards of appearance for students shall ensure that the student be clean, neat, and properly dressed. They shall observe modes of dress and standards of personal grooming that are in conformity with the studious atmosphere and good personal hygiene necessary in schools. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the principal to see that the dress or appearance of no student shall be extreme to the point of creating a disturbance or is hazardous to oneself, others, or school property. The dress code shall be incorporated into the Student Code of Conduct.

As a minimum, the dress code shall include provisions for the appropriateness of clothing, clothing accessories, and footwear, which will maintain adequate standards of safety, health, and welfare for all students. Beachwear and see-through or otherwise revealing apparel is not considered to be appropriate. 

Students shall not be permitted to wear clothing that contains printed profanity as defined in Policy 5500. 

Student Conduct, or any clothing, accessories, or regalia that conveys membership or affiliation with a "gang" or other similarly oriented group or association prone to violence or criminal acts. Gang clothing, accessories, or regalia can include, but is not limited to, gang-related colors, rolled up bandanas about the head or other parts of the body, knit caps, rolled up or split pant cuffs, certain sports attire that has a "street meaning", etc.

The following procedures are established to promote discipline, maintain order, secure the safety of students, and provide a healthy environment conducive to academic purposes.  Individual schools may develop more restrictive dress requirements if recommended by administrators, faculty, and staff, and if approved by a majority of School Advisory Council (SAC) members.  Notice of amended requirements must be provided to all parents in a timely manner through at least one (1) written or verbal communication and published in a document, such as the school handbook or student planner.   

Principals may amend the dress code for events and special occasions such as spirit day, homecoming, Red Ribbon week, or other District sanctioned events.  

Requirements for student dress in all schools are listed below:

1. Head
    

   1. Head gear, including but not limited to caps, hats, bandanas, and/or sunglasses shall not be worn indoors on campus unless permitted by the principal for religious or medical reasons.  Students may wear sunglasses, hats, or other sun-protective wear while outdoors during school hours, however these articles must not violate this dress code.  
       

2. Clothing
    

   1. ​​​​​​​All clothing must be appropriately sized, securely fastened and cover midriff, back, sides, and all undergarments at all times. For example, suspenders should be over the shoulders, pants secured at the waist, belts buckled, no underwear as outerwear, no underwear exposed.  Clothing should be opaque.

   2. Garments must be of a length and fit that are acceptable to the build and stature of the student. The cut of sleeveless garments must not expose undergarments. Clothing must cover the body from one armpit across to other armpit. Upper garments should meet lower garments. 

   3. Strapless garments are prohibited. (Tube tops and halter tops are prohibited.)  Formalwear for special events may include strapless garments. 

   4. Pants and shorts shall conform to the build and stature of the student, shall be worn at the waist, and shall not extend below the heel of the shoe in length. Rips, holes, or tears in clothing must be below mid-thigh.  

   5. Shorts must have clearly discernable inseams that covers the buttocks.
       

3. Footwear
    

   1. ​​​​​​​Students must wear shoes that are safe and appropriate for the learning environment, including recess, PE, CTE, and labs.  (Crocs are not appropriate for grades K-6).

   2. Students in grades 7- 12 may wear footwear commonly considered as beachwear (for example: flip flops, thongs, Crocs, etc.) unless a course of instruction requires them to wear safe and appropriate footwear to protect the student from injury (i.e. athletic shoes in physical education class).

   3. Inappropriate footwear includes, but not limited to, roller skates, skate shoes, and slippers. 
       

4. Accessories
    

   1. ​​​​​​​Gang paraphernalia, garments and/or jewelry, tattoos, or other insignias, which display or suggest sexual, vulgar, drug, alcohol, or tobacco-related wording/graphics or may tend to provoke violence or disruption in school shall not be worn.  

   2. Clothing must not state, imply, or depict hate speech or imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or any other characteristics protected by Federal or State law.

   3. Any articles of clothing or jewelry that may cause injury including, but not limited to, items with spikes, or sharp objects, wallet chains, and heavy link chains are not allowed.  

   4. Dress shall not emulate non-human characteristics.

The Superintendent shall develop administrative procedures to implement this policy which: 

1. designate the principal as the arbiter of student dress and grooming in his/her building;

2. instruct staff members to demonstrate by example and precept wholesome attitudes toward neatness, cleanliness, propriety, modesty, and good sense in attire and appearance;

3. ensure that all rules implementing this policy impose only minimum and necessary restrictions on the exercise of the student's taste and individuality.

District staff shall enforce the school’s dress code in a non-discriminatory and uniform manner.   

The District is cognizant that students’ religions, disabilities, or medical conditions may impact their ability to comply with the standard student attire policy.  Reasonable accommodations based on religion, disability, or medical condition shall be permitted on an individual basis. 

Posted 7.7.23