STUDENT DRESS CODE The policy of the Jefferson Parish School Board shall be that no mode of attire shall be considered proper for school wear that disrupts the classroom and/or the school's positive learning environment. In questions regarding student dress and grooming, the principal or his/her designee of each school shall make the final decision as to what is considered proper or improper dress according to the guidelines provided. NOTIFICATION The School Board shall notify the parent or guardian of each student of the dress code specifications and their effective date. If the Board adopts a uniform policy or modifies an existing uniform policy, it shall notify in writing the parent or guardian of each student of the policy adoption or uniform policy modification at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the new or revised policy. Each school shall display any uniform selected for a reasonable period prior to the proposed effective date for wearing of the uniform. However, nothing shall prohibit the Board from requiring a new or revised dress code or uniform policy without the required notice in the event of an emergency. For the purposes of this policy, emergency shall mean an actual or imminent threat to health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage. SCHOOL UNIFORMS The School Board permits each school in the Jefferson Parish Public School System to determine whether each individual school shall participate in a school uniform program. Each school shall have a School Uniform Committee, consisting of representation as determined by the Board that will assist in surveying parents regarding participation in the school uniform program, and if a school votes to implement the school uniform program, assist with implementing the school uniform program at the school. Once uniforms have been approved and implemented at a school, the wearing of uniforms by students shall be mandatory with the exception of those students whose parents/legal guardians submit an official request for exemption. Regulations and procedures governing school uniforms are outlined in the Student Services Policies and Procedures Handbook. DRESS AND PERSONAL GROOMING Student dress and grooming are not to adversely affect the students' participation in classes, school programs, other school-related activities or detract from the learning environment of the school. Extremes in style and fit in student dress and extremes in Jefferson Parish School Board 1 of 6
style of grooming will not be permitted. Administrators are authorized to use their discretion in determining extremes in styles of dress and grooming and what is appropriate and suitable for school wear. No student shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, blade, symbols, sign or other things which are evidence of affiliation with drugs, alcohol, violence or gang related activities or exhibits profane or obscene language/gestures. Policies regarding dress and grooming stress the importance of reducing distractions that inhibit learning and are addressed as an attempt to enhance the learning environment. Dress Code Regulations 1. Each student shall possess good personal hygiene, including, but not limited to, having clean combed hair, clean teeth, a clean body, and clean clothing. 2. A student shall demonstrate respect for himself/herself, and others, through his/her actions, personal hygiene, and physical appearance. 3. A student shall dress appropriately for school, extracurricular, and co-curricular activities. 4. A student s clothing, jewelry, accessories, personal hygiene, and manner of grooming: a. shall not present a physical safety hazard or create a health hazard to either the student or others; b. shall not cause or have the potential to cause, a disruption to or interference with the orderly operation of the school, school activities and/or educational objectives; c. shall not identify, symbolize or infer gang membership or affiliation through writings, marks, drawings, paintings, photographs, designs, emblems, tattoos, or any other means; d. shall not identify, symbolize or imply membership or affiliation of any group or organization that the school system has not authorized to legally assemble on school grounds through writings, marks, drawings, paintings, photographs, designs, emblems, tattoos, or any other means; e. shall not depict violence, drugs, tobacco, or obscene subject matter through writings, marks, drawings, paintings, photographs, designs, emblems, tattoos, or any other means. f. shall not depict or convey a suggestive sexual or provocative message or slogan through writings, marks, drawings, paintings, Jefferson Parish School Board 2 of 6
photographs, designs, emblems, tattoos, or any other means. g. shall not be designed to encourage actions or activities that present a disruption or distraction. 5. A student shall wear shoes at all times. A student shall not wear shoes that present a safety hazard, such as shoes without backs, shoes with excessively high heels or platform soles, or shoes that by virtue of their construction or condition may pose a safety risk. 6. A student shall wear appropriate undergarments. 7. A student s clothing for school and school-sanctioned activities shall be hemmed. 8. A student s clothing for school and school-sanctioned activities shall be worn at an appropriate length. a. Middle/junior high/high school students shall not wear shorts except during assigned physical education classes and extracurricular activities where shorts are a part of the student s uniform. A principal of a K-8 school shall determine whether or not students in grades six through eight at his or her school must abide by this rule. b. Skirts, pants, slacks, and shorts, when allowed, shall be worn at the student s waistline. c. Dresses, skirts, pants, slacks, and shorts, when allowed, shall not be excessively long or baggy so as to create a safety hazard. d. Dresses, skirts, and shorts, when allowed, shall not be excessively short as to create a disruption or distraction. 9. A student s clothing for school and school-sanctioned activities shall be modest in appearance and style so that it does not cause or have the potential of creating a safety hazard and/or a disruption or distraction for others in the education environment. a. A student shall not wear clothing that is tight fitting, including, but not limited to, bike pants, leggings, stretch knit or spandex pants, dresses, skirts, pants, slacks, shorts, or blouses which are tight fitting. b. A student shall not wear clothing with holes in it. c. A student shall not wear see through or fishnet clothing unless proper opaque undergarments are worn so that the student s torso is not Jefferson Parish School Board 3 of 6
visible. d. A student shall not wear clothing that exposes the student s back, chest, or midriff. e. A student in middle/junior high/high school shall not wear sweatpants and warm up suits on campus. f. A student shall not wear a hat to school. g. A student shall not wear a starter jacket or look-a-like to school. h. A student shall not wear jewelry or accessories that create a distraction or a safety hazard. With the exception of pierced earrings worn in the ear lobe, a student will not wear body piercing studs, rings, or hoops. When pierced earrings are permitted, a student will not wear earrings that present a safety hazard. i. A student shall not bring to or have accessories at school that may be used or converted to use as a weapon, including, but not limited to, rat-tail combs and rakes. j. A student shall use appropriate grooming that does not present a safety hazard or have the potential of creating a disruption to or interference with the orderly operation of the school environment, school activities, and/or education objectives. 1) A student shall wear his/her hair in a style that does not impair his/her eyesight. 2) A student shall not wear hair rollers, shower caps, etc., to school, extracurricular and co-curricular activities. 3) A student shall not dye or color his/her hair in an extreme hair color. 10. Prom Dress Guidelines a. Dress styles should be appropriate for student participation in a school-sponsored formal event. b. Notification of the guidelines should be provided within the first two weeks of school to the senior class and on a regular basis thereafter through venues that could include newsletters, parent meetings, fashion shows, class meetings, sample pictures, etc. Jefferson Parish School Board 4 of 6
BOOK BAGS c. If a dress is questionable, students will be encouraged to provide the school with front and back pictures of the student in the dress for review well in advance of the prom. d. The dress review at the prom will adhere to the Board approved procedure of at least two out of three chaperones/sponsors making a recommendation to the administrator in charge who makes the final determination. e. Every effort will be made by the school to provide remediation for a dress problem prior to denying a student entrance into the prom. f. Specifics for dresses: 1) The back of a dress must be at or above the waistline. 2) Sides and midriffs are to be covered. 3) Slits should be no higher than mid-thigh. 4) Dress shoes only - no tennis shoes, slippers, etc. 5) Modern dress styles including halter tops, one shoulder, and spaghetti straps may be worn; however, excessively revealing cleavage will not be allowed. Only clear, see-through, or mesh book bags, tote bags, back packs or any similar articles are permitted for use by students. Violations shall result in suspension of the student. BODY ARMOR It shall be unlawful and against School Board policy for any student or non-student to wear or possess on his/her person, at any time, body armor on any School Board property, school campus, at a school-sponsored function, on a school bus or other school transportation, or in a firearm-free zone, with limited exception as enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 14:95.9. School-sponsored functions shall include, but not be limited to, athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities. A firearm-free zone means any area within one thousand feet of any school campus and within a school bus. Body armor shall mean bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury. Revised: September, 2007 Revised: August, 2010 Revised: December, 2008 Revised: June, 2013 Jefferson Parish School Board 5 of 6
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 14:95.9, 17:81, 17:416.7; Scott v. Board of Education, 304 N.Y.S.S. 2d 601 (1969); Karr v. Schmidt ; 460 F. 2d 609 (5 th Cir. 1972); Board minutes, 4-26-89, 2-7-01, 6-6-07. Jefferson Parish School Board 6 of 6