Student appearance and dress code

Policy 217

I. GENERAL STATEMENT

Responsibility for the dress and appearance of students enrolled in the Volusia County Public Schools primarily rests with parents and the students. Some student apparel, however, may not be appropriate to wear to school even though that same apparel may be appropriate to wear in other settings. To assist parents and students in making appropriate fashion and grooming decisions for school, the School Board has established the following minimal guidelines for the appearance and dress of students.

The standards of appearance for students shall ensure that the students are clean, neat, and properly dressed. They shall observe modes of dress and standards of personal grooming which are appropriate for the academic environment.

It is the responsibility of the principal to see that the dress appearance of any student shall not be extreme, to the point of creating a disturbance, or be hazardous to the student and/or others, or school property, whether or not the specific case is covered by the information below. The principal or principal’s designee has the final authority for interpreting whether a student’s apparel/appearance conforms to the dress code. If a student enters the district after the start of the school year, the student will have a grace period of five (5) school days before being required to fully comply with this dress code.

All schools have the option of adopting a standard dress code (uniform) when developed and agreed upon in collaboration with their School Advisory Council. Schools that adopt a standard dress code policy should include the following: Collared shirts, sleeves, khaki or dark pants/shorts/skorts, defined shirt colors (e.g. school colors).

Students may wear special clothing related to a school sponsored activity or program, as permitted by the Principal.

II. STUDENT APPEARANCE AND DRESS CODE REQUIREMENTS

A. Head

No hats, caps, visors, hoods, bandanas, sunglasses or other head gear may be worn on campus except with administrative permission (i.e. medical necessity, religious, school related events)

B. Upper Garments

1. Garments must be of a length and fit that are suitable to the build and stature of the student.
2. Tops must be long enough to clearly overlap the beltline or stay tucked in during the course of normal movement during the day. Shirts falling below mid-thigh length will be tucked in. Shirts, blouses and dresses must cover shoulder to shoulder. No bare-midriff shirts/blouses, sleepwear, muscle shirts, tank tops, spaghetti straps or halter tops with or without covering. Jackets do not excuse compliance with the dress code.
3. Necklines of all upper garments must be modest. Low cut necklines are
prohibited, and the cut of garments must not expose undergarments or cleavage.
4. Garments that are distracting or inappropriate are prohibited, including but not limited to those with see-through materials, skintight items, pajamas, trench coats, rips/tears, printed profanity, or language/symbols/styles that promote the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco products, gang-related or other illegal activities.

C. Lower Garments

1. Pants and shorts should conform to the build and stature of the students.
2. Undergarments and the buttocks MUST remain entirely covered even while seated.
3. Dresses, skirts and shorts must be at least mid-thigh or below in length.
4. The waistband of pants, shorts or skirts must be worn and secured between the hips and the waist.
5. Undergarments as outerwear, pajama pants, bathing suits, cheer shorts, bike shorts and spandex material bottoms are prohibited.

D. Footwear

1. All students shall wear shoes/footwear. Students must wear shoes that are safe and appropriate for the learning environment. Students must wear athletic shoes in all PE classes.
2. Cleats, slippers and shoes with wheels are not permitted to be worn on campus. Cleats may be worn for appropriate extracurricular sports in proper areas.

E. Accessories

1. Clothing, jewelry, and accessories shall not convey messages that are: crude, vulgar/profane, violent/death-oriented, gang related, sexually suggestive, promote alcohol, drugs or tobacco, or promote illegal activities or products.
2. Jewelry or accessories that pose a safety concern for the student or others are prohibited. Dog collars, wallet chains, large hair picks or chains that connect one part of the body to another are prohibited.

III. REVIEW

The School Board shall review this policy in January of 2012, based upon compliance
information presented by the Superintendent.
Legal Authority:
Sections 1001.41(1) 7 (2), 1001.42(25), Florida Statutes
Laws Implemented:
Sections 1001.43(1), 1006.07, 1006.15, Florida Statutes
History:
(Adopted -- June 28, 2011)
(Effective Date -- June 28, 2011)