Central Valley Student Dress Code

District Adopts New Dress Code Standards for Elementary, Middle and High School Students

8/29/2005

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 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.

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

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.

Elementary Schools 
Examples of Elementary 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
• Midriffs must be covered
• Revealing clothing is not acceptable school attire
• Shorts and skirts must be below fingertips (school activity uniforms exempt when worn with proper undergarments)
• Underwear shall not be visible
• Sagging pants are not acceptable school attire
• Long belts must be tucked into belt loops
• Safe footwear is required (flip-flops are not safe footwear)
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of dress code violations.

Examples of Possible Dress Code Discipline in Elementary Schools: 
Situation:  First grade student comes to school wearing flip-flop footwear
Possible Response:  School administrator calls home and asks parent to bring student a change of footwear to school for the student

Situation: Fifth grade student comes to school wearing a t-shirt advertising a brand of beer
Possible Response: Student is asked to wear the shirt inside out

Middle Schools
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.

Examples of Possible Dress Code Discipline in Midde Schools: 
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

High Schools
Examples of High School Dress Code Policy:
• 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
• 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
• Footwear is required
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of dress code violations.

Examples of Possible Dress Code Discipline in High Schools: 
Situation:  Student wears a shirt with a vulgar message printed on the back
Possible Response:  Student is asked to wear the shirt inside out, to cover up the offensive message

Situation: Student repeatedly comes to school wearing a shirt with a vulgar message printed on the back
Possible Response: Due to discipline history and repeated violation of the same policy, student is suspended from school for one day.

Questions?
Contact your school’s principal or assistant principal for more information. Or, call Ken Santora, Director of Learning Services at 228-5424.

*Adopted July 11, 2005 as part of Central Valley School District Board Policy #3200. Click here for full text.

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