Student Dress - May 1997 Revision

Notice: This policy was reviewed, revised, and/or renamed. We provide this revision for historic purposes only. Please see our current policies and procedural directives.

Note: This procedural directive was reviewed, revised, and combined with several others in October 2010. We provide this revision for historic purposes only. Please refer to the current procedural directive.

The Board of Education expects student dress and grooming to reflect high standards of personal conduct so that each student’s attire promotes a positive, safe and healthy atmosphere within the school. Student dress may not present a health or safety hazard, violate municipal or state law or present a potential for disruption to the instructional program. Attire or accessories which advertise, display or promote any drug, including alcohol or tobacco, sexual activity, violence, disrespect and/or bigotry towards any group are not acceptable. Unacceptable clothing and accessories include, but are not limited to, gang-related attire, excessively tight or revealing clothes, short shorts, bare midriff, low-cut and/or off the shoulder blouses, spiked jewelry, chains, belts with more than 2 inches excess. "Sagging", or the wearing of pants below the waist and/or in a manner that allows underwear or bare skin to show, and "bagging", or the wearing of excessively baggy pants with low hanging crotches are prohibited. As a matter of common courtesy and respect, hats/caps are not to be worn while inside buildings except when there are specific instructional, safety, religious or medical reasons.

Schools may customize their individual dress codes to address the needs and standards of their communities and neighborhoods through use of a process which ensures input from students, parents, faculty and staff of the school and other interested community members. Students and their parents/guardians have the responsibility to be aware of the school specific dress codes and to conform to those requirements. The responsibility to interpret and enforce the policy rests with each principal for his/her school.

Students enrolled in physical education class will have a suitable change of clothing for physical activity, including tennis shoes.

This policy should be reviewed periodically with parents, teachers, and student group representatives to enlist their support and encourage pride and good taste. Attire or accessories which advertise, display, or promote any drug, including alcohol and tobacco, sexual activity, violence, disrespect and/or bigotry toward any group may be considered unacceptable.

Cross Ref.: Board Policy J.12

NSBA/NEPN Classification: JICA

Revised: May 1995
Revised: April 1996
Revised: May 1997