DRESS AND GROOMING

General Guidelines for Student Dress and Grooming Guidelines

Appropriate student dress and grooming are important factors in the safe and orderly operation of the schools.  Each student's appearance should reflect a positive image of the school and contribute to a distraction-free learning environment.

Our district values and needs the support of parents in upholding the district and campus dress and grooming guidelines.  The student and his/her parent(s) may determine the student's personal dress and grooming standards provided that the student's dress and grooming:

·         shall not lead school officials to reasonably believe that such dress or grooming will disrupt, interfere with, disturb, or detract from school activities; and

·         shall not create a health problem or safety hazard for the student or others.     

Using these general guidelines and the specific guidelines listed below, school administrators, with the input and support of faculty members, have the final decision in determining and enforcing student dress and grooming standards at school and at all school-related activities.

Individual campuses may develop and enforce additional or standardized dress codes and grooming guidelines that meet the standards of the campus (see additional information on standardized dress codes below).  These campus guidelines or standardized dress codes may be more restrictive than those established by the district.  However, these additional campus guidelines must be publicized to the students and parents in a timely manner, so that students and parents can select the appropriate clothing that will meet the individual campus guidelines or standardized dress codes.

All students are required to adhere to the district dress and grooming guidelines, as well as to any additional guidelines developed and approved for the campus.  Exceptions will be permitted for bona fide religious reasons.  Parents are expected to be knowledgeable and supportive of the dress and grooming guidelines. 

Specific Guidelines/Restrictions

Students should wear garments, shoes, jewelry, accessories and hairstyles that

• are appropriate and modest in length and coverage
• reflect a positive image of the school and contribute to a distraction-free learning environment and
• lead teachers and/or staff to reasonably believe that the issue does not interfere with, disturb, or distract from the classroom and/or learning environment.

Students are not to wear clothing that is tight, sagging, cut, torn, baggy, revealing, spaghetti-strap, backless, low cut or short.
Pants – must be worn at the waist or upper hip and must not reveal underclothing.  If a student wears leggings, they must have a top that matches the dress code of dresses - 3 inches above the kneecap in length or longer.  They must be free of holes. 
Shorts and Skirts  - must be fitted at the waist or upper hip, must not reveal underclothing, and must be 3 inches above the kneecap in length or longer
Tops, Shirts and Blouses – must not reveal underclothing, midsection, torso, back, chest, breasts or cleavage
Dresses – must not reveal underclothing, midsection, torso, back, chest, breasts, or cleavage and must be 3 inches above the kneecap in length or longer
Shoes – must not detract from or interfere with the learning environment or present a safety or health hazard .  Tennis shoes or closed-toe shoes are preferred.  House shoes/house slippers of any kind are not allowed.
Head Coverings – no type of head covering is to be worn with the exception of (1) a cap or hat that is part of a uniform worn at a school activity or (2) for religious or medical purposes
Underclothing – must wear appropriate underclothing;
Pajamas/loungewear – any and all pajamas/loungewear are prohibited
Jewelry/Piercings – Noisy, distracting and excessive jewelry or accessories are prohibited (including wallet chains).  Jewelry/Piercings must not detract from or interfere with the learning environment or present a safety or health hazard.  No body piercing is allowed.  Pierced earrings may only be worn by girls.
Tattoos - permanent or temporary, must be covered at all times. 
Hair/Make-up – Hair must be well groomed, neat, out of their faces, and clean at all times; hair style/color and makeup must not detract from or interfere with the learning and school environment.  Boys’ hair length is not to extend below the shirt collar or below the base of the earlobe.  No student may wear bangs that extend below the eyebrows.  Boys may not wear ponytails, rat-tails, or Mohawks. 
Backpacks – must not detract from or interfere with the learning environment or present a safety or health hazard