You are expected to attend school in clean, neat clothing. It is the mission of the school district not only to provide academic education but also to provide education in morals, manners, dress, and grooming because these are elements of good citizenship. Research has shown that your dress and appearance affect your attitudes and conduct. These guidelines are intended to define “appropriate student attire” and personal grooming. Their purpose is to prevent disruption of the classroom atmosphere, enhance classroom decorum, eliminate disturbances among other students in attendance, and minimize distraction of other students so as not to interfere with the educational process. It is also intended to help protect your health and welfare. Final decision as to whether your dress or grooming is, in fact, disruptive or distracting shall be made by the principal or designee.

You are to abide by the following:

1. Hair and physical appearance shall be clean and neatly groomed. Aerosol cans of any kind are not permitted at school, i.e., hair color, hair spray. No excessive makeup is allowed.
2. Shoes must be worn at all times. For safety purposes, sandals must be held in place with a heel strap. Steel-toed shoes or boots, flip-flops, slippers, or houseshoes are not permitted.
3. Lettering or printing will be allowed on shirts, sweatshirts, and other apparel as long as it is acceptable for school attire. Crude or vulgar printing or pictures depicting tobacco, drugs, alcoholic beverages, gang-related names or symbols, or those that are sexually suggestive are not allowed (ie: Player 69, Playboy, etc.). This district reserves the right to declare unacceptable any item of clothing, printing or accessory depicting any logo that has been identified to be gang related.
4. Pant size must be appropriate. The fullness must not interfere with the normal school activities. If the student removes the belt, pants must not fall more than 2” below the hipbone. The crotch should not drop lower than the fingertips of the extended hand. The length of the pant should not extend past the heel of the shoe. When side seams are pulled out straight and then are crossed to the front, the edge of the pants should not cross the mid-point of the leg.
5. All clothing shall be within the bounds of decency and good taste as appropriate for school. Garments shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times.
6. Dress or skirt length shall be within the bounds of decency and good taste and no shorter than the end of the extended fingertips.
7. No bare midriffs. No low-cut or revealing tops. No “off-the-shoulder” blouses.
8. No garment may be worn that is cut-off, ragged, or torn. This includes garments purchased frayed or torn.
9. No “see through” or “fish net” type of blouse or shirt may be worn. Students must wear shirts at all times. No muscle shirts, undershirts or tank tops are permitted.
10. No gang related apparel (as determined by district guidelines).
11. Baseball hats are to be worn with the bill facing forward. Hats are not to be worn inside or during classtime. Other head coverings such as kerchiefs, bandannas, skullcaps, or do-rags are not allowed.
12. Piercings or jewelry that pose a safety hazard may not be allowed.

Wearing of Shorts
Students may be allowed to wear Bermuda shorts, walking shorts, or shorts of this type within the following guidelines:

1. Shorts must be hemmed and straight legged.
2. The length of the shorts must be within the bounds of decency and in good taste as appropriate for school. The shorts length should not be shorter than the end of the extended fingertips.
3. Short shorts are not to be worn at school. Shorts that do not meet these criteria are not allowed. Tops worn with shorts must adhere to the guidelines previously stated.

Colors
You will not be allowed to wear clothing or apparel identified by school personnel as “colors”. The term “colors” is defined as a display by the wearing or placement of apparel by a group of students, or an individual student, which would signify the membership or intent of membership in a student group known to advocate or participate in disruptive or illegal behavior.

Violating any part of this dress code will result in one warning and being sent home to change into appropriate clothing if necessary. The second violation of the same nature will result in you being referred to administration.

Gang Symbols
The Governing Board desires to keep district schools and students free from the threats or harmful influence of any groups or gangs which advocate drug use or disruptive behavior. The Board, therefore, prohibits the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, (i.e., bandannas, hair nets, chains, etc.), notebook, or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, or any other attribute, denotes membership in such a group. Should any item be declared gang related due to the manner in which it is used or worn, proper notification of parents and students will be made prior to enforcement.

Wearing or carrying overt gang paraphernalia or making gestures that symbolize gang membership will result in you being referred to administration. In order to refrain from giving gangs publicity, any gang graffiti shall be quickly removed, washed down, or painted over as soon as discovered.