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[General Guidelines] [Specific Guidelines] [Dress and Grooming Violations]  [School Uniforms/Standardized Dress]

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 dress and grooming guidelines that meet the standards of the campus.  These campus guidelines may be more restrictive than those established by the district.  However, these additional campus guidelines must adhere to the general district guidelines, be developed with the advice of a campus committee, and receive approval of the Office of Student Services before parents and students are notified.  The 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, including the campuses that have developed school uniform/standardized dress guidelines.

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, loose, sagging, cut, torn, baggy, revealing, spaghetti-strap, backless, low cut or short.

Pants – must be fitted at the waist or upper hip and must not reveal underclothing
Shorts and Skirts  - must be fitted at the waist or upper hip, must not reveal underclothing, and must be mid-thigh 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 mid-thigh 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.
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 are prohibited
Jewelry/Piercings/Tattoos – Noisy, distracting and excessive jewelry or accessories are prohibited (including wallet chains).  Pierced ears are allowed.  All other body piercing jewelry is prohibited.  Tattoos, permanent or temporary, must be covered at all times.
Hair/Make-up – Hair must be well groomed, neat and clean at all times; hair style/color and makeup must not detract from or interfere with the learning and school environment.
Backpacks – must not detract from or interfere with the learning environment or present a safety or health hazard

Students participating in school-related activities, such as extracurricular or UIL activities or other special functions, may have a different dress or grooming code required by the sponsor, coach, or administration.

Students who come to school in violation of the district and/or campus dress code will have the option of correcting the violation or being placed in Discipline Management Class (DMC/in-school suspension) for the remainder of the day. School officials may use other appropriate consequences as designated in the Code of Conduct. Parents may be asked to bring appropriate attire to school to assist in correcting the violation. Students who have a question about the appropriateness of an item should discuss the specific issue with the appropriate staff member before wearing the item.              

Certain campuses, with parent and staff support, have developed and published school uniform or standardized dress guidelines. Compliance with these guidelines is expected every day including the first day at that campus. Students who are new to the campus, or students with extenuating circumstances, will be expected to be in compliance after a reasonable grace period. The students at these campuses are expected to follow the appropriate district dress and grooming guidelines as well as the specific campus guidelines. Exceptions will be permitted for bona fide religious and philosophical reasons.

NOTE:  The standardized dress campuses for 2007-08 are: Francone Elementary, Frazier Elementary, Owens Elementary, Sheridan Elementary, Alternative Learning Center (ALC), and the Adaptive Behavior Center (ABC).

Each campus develops their own individual guidelines.  Please review each school's policy by going to its website or by contacting the school directly.