Refer to Board Policy 503.3

The Board believes inappropriate student appearance may cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors.

Students are expected to adhere to standards of cleanliness and dress that are compatible with the requirements of a good learning environment. The standards will be those generally acceptable to the community as appropriate in a school setting.

The Board expects students to be clean and well-groomed and wear clothes in good repair and appropriate for the time, place and occasion. Clothing or other apparel promoting products illegal for use by minors and clothing displaying obscene material, profanity, or reference to prohibited conduct are disallowed. While the primary responsibility for students; personal appearance lies with the students and their parents, appearance disruptive to the education program will not be tolerated. When, in the judgment of a principal, a student’s appearance or mode of dress disrupts the educational process or constitutes a threat to health or safety, the student may be required to make modification.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Guidelines:

The following guidelines will be used to determine appropriate student appearance during regular school hours:

  1. Clothing should predominantly cover a student from shoulder to below the buttocks and be worn in a dignified manner. 
  2. Headphones may be used only during assigned area times. 
  3. Costuming will not be allowed, except during designated school – related events, such as Spirit Week.  If allowed, costumes must meet general dress code expectations. 
  4. Shoes must be worn at all times.  
  5. Coaches or afterschool activity sponsors are to decide the dress code during practice and competition hours.
  6. No clothing or apparel is to; promote products illegal for minors, display or imply obscene material, profanity, hate speech, make reference to prohibited conduct such as by use of acronyms or words, images, or phrases that have taken on an obscene or profane meaning on social media or in culture generally, or determined to be gang-related. 
  7. When, in the judgment of a principal or designee, a student’s appearance or mode of dress disrupts the educational process or constitutes a threat to health or safety, the student may be required to make modifications.

*It should be noted that an administrator reserves the right to determine appropriateness related to attire. 

The following procedures will be followed regarding enforcement of the Student Appearance policy:

  1. Offenders of the dress code will be told that they have violated the dress code and what area of the code they have violated.
  2. Students will be asked to change the clothing to meet district policy.
    1. If a student refuses, disciplinary action will be taken.
    2. Repeated violations will also result in disciplinary action.