Middle School Dress Code

Promoting the Educational Mission
The Central Valley School District Board of Directors has adopted a common set of age-appropriate, district-wide dress code standards* for elementary, middle and high school students. The standards were developed by a community-based committee to promote the educational mission and ensure a safe and healthy learning environment. The dress code relies on two legal concepts -- disruption of the educational process and student safety. In the past, individual schools established standards that varied widely from building to building.

Setting the Standard for Middle School Dress
The following standards are designed to prepare students for transition to the next educational level. Principles of cleanliness and appropriate attire and appearance are necessary to establish an atmosphere conducive to successful learning. The basic responsibility for appropriate attire must rest with the student and his/her parent/guardian, and be consistent with the educational mission of the school district. Each school’s administration and staff are responsible for recognizing cultural factors to determine when a student’s dress does not conform to district policy. This policy is in effect at all school activities.

Examples of Middle School Dress Code Policy:
• Caps or headwear must be removed upon entering the school building (except for religious observance or medical reasons)
• Apparel/accessories (e.g.: including chains, jewelry, bandanas) that can damage school property, be considered gang-related, or be used as a potential weapon, are not acceptable school attire
• Dress that communicates the promotion of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, violence, vulgarity, profanity, or that is disparaging to gender, ethnicity, religion, or that has a sexual connotation is not acceptable school attire
• Shoulders are to be covered (not visible) and shirts must have sleeves
• Clothing that reveals undergarments, bare midriffs, bare backs, or cleavage is not acceptable school attire
• Shorts and skirts must be below fingertips (school activity uniforms exempt when worn with proper undergarments)
• Sagging pants are not acceptable school attire
• Oversize coats remain in lockers
• Long belts must be tucked into belt loops
• Footwear is required
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of dress code violations.

Administering Dress Code Standards
The standardized Central Valley School District discipline policy includes guidance for principals when administering the dress code. According to this policy, a student’s dress and appearance may be regulated when, in the judgment of school administrators, there is reasonable expectation that:

1. A health or safety hazard is presented by the dress or appearance
2. The dress or appearance promotes drug, alcohol or tobacco
3. The dress or appearance causes a disruption of the educational process
4. The dress or appearance otherwise violates the building standards

Examples of Possible Discipline:
 
Situation:  Eighth grade female student comes to school wearing a spaghetti strap top that exposes cleavage and bare midriff
Possible Response:  School administrator calls home and asks parent to bring student a change of clothes that conforms to policy

Situation: Seventh grade student repeatedly wears his baseball cap to class, despite repeated reminders from teachers and administrators to remove the cap upon entering the school building
Possible Response: Due to discipline history and repeated violation of the same policy, student is assigned to after school detention

When considering the level of discipline, school officials will consider the student’s attitude, the severity of conduct, the student’s intent, the affect on other students and/or staff, the safety of the student and other students and/or staff, mitigating circumstances, and the student’s discipline history.

Questions?
Call the school office at 228-4780. Or, call Jerry Thomas, Central Valley School District Student Services Coordinator, at 228-5433.

*Adopted July 11, 2005 as part of Central Valley School District Board Policy #3200.