Part of the total education of the students is learning to dress appropriately and behave responsibly in a variety of situations. Attendance at school and school-related functions is a specific situation, which requires the student to use good judgment. Students are expected to dress in a manner that is appropriate to the school environment. Research has shown a correlation between appearance and behavior, especially in the school setting.

These regulations will assist parents, students, faculty, and administrators in determining appropriate student standards for dress and personal appearance while at school or school related functions.

1. Parents and students maintain responsibility for following the student dress code.
2. The administrators, with the assistance of the staff, have the final responsibility of enforcing the student dress code.
3. When any dress or grooming interferes with the cleanliness, health, welfare, safety of students, or disrupts the educational process, it is prohibited.
4. Sponsors and teachers of elective programs or elective activities may require stricter standards regarding dress and personal appearance for participants in their program or activity. The administration and/or athletic director must approve clothing for student participants in school-sponsored extracurricular activities.
5. The dress code may be modified by an administrator for the purpose of school spirit days or other special school-wide events.
6. Exceptions due to religious, ethnic, or cultural beliefs will be considered by the building administration.
7. The student dress code may be reviewed annually.

Students shall adhere to these regulations for dress and personal appearance.

Clothing
Clothing, jewelry, tattoos, or other personal items which specifically or generally contain, promote, glorify, or refer to alcohol, drugs, tobacco, sexual innuendo or sexually suggestive contents, profane, vulgar, or lewd symbols or slogans, gangs or cults, antisocial or harassing behavior, hate, violence, death, suicide, gore, and/or blood shall not be worn or displayed. Tattoos, which do not conform to the requirement of this paragraph, must be covered.

Clothing must be worn in a manner that does not expose the shoulder, torso, midriff, chest, cleavage, back, buttocks or undergarments. Clothing with rips, tears, or holes, above mid thigh, that exposes skin or undergarments, may not be worn.

Lower garments will stay, unassisted, with or without a belt, at the top of the hipbone or above. Lower garments must be no shorter than mid-thigh and will not expose undergarments. Form-fitting Lycra or spandex may only be worn under another garment. Pajama and house slippers are not permitted.

Outerwear
Trench coats, bubble jackets, parkas or any other heavy winter coats may not be carried between or worn in class. Students must place these jackets and/or coats in their lockers, or specified area, prior to the beginning of the instructional day.

Shoes
Students must wear shoes to school that are safe and appropriate for the school environment, which includes stairs and emergency drills. For safety reasons, it is required that shoes with a back strap or closed back be worn by children at schools with playgrounds/recess (grades K-6). Athletic shoes are the best choice for the K-6 school environment. Skate shoes and house slippers are prohibited.

Hair and Make-up
Hair color must be a natural color or tone. Excessive or extreme make-up or hairstyle is prohibited.

Piercings/Jewelry
No visible body, facial or tongue piercing is permitted, with the exception of the ears and a single nose stud (one). Extreme and/or excessive piercings are prohibited. Spiked or studded jewelry and/or heavy chains are not to be worn or carried. No jewelry that could be dangerous to persons or destructive to school property is permitted.

Personal Items
All book bags must be stored in the student’s locker prior to the beginning of the instructional day. Purses of reasonable size are permitted.
Hats, head coverings, bandanas, and sunglasses are not to be worn in the school and must be stored in a locker or specified area prior to the beginning of the instructional day.

Enforcement
Staff members are expected to uniformly and consistently enforce the dress code. Violation of the dress code may result in removal from class until the violation can be resolved and/or disciplinary action. If a student is referred to the administration, the staff member observing the violation will record the exact nature of the problem on a disciplinary form and send the form along with the student at the time of referral.