STUDENT DRESS CODE -STANDARD DRESS EXPECTATIONS

The district will implement uniform dress for elementary and middle school students and standard dress expectations for high school students in accordance with Board Policy JCDB and Regulation JCDB-R(1). The following information on dress codes is provided to assist parents and students with shopping choices for the school year. All students are expected to follow the dress code and standard dress expectations for schools. Students and their parents have the primary responsibility for adherence to the Clayton County Board policies, regulations and procedures. School personnel are responsible for maintaining proper and appropriate conditions conducive to learning. Teachers and all other school personnel shall reinforce acceptable student dress and help students develop an understanding of appropriate appearance in the school setting.

Any student who arrives at school out of uniform dress code or standard dress will be expected to correct any violation. Failure to do so shall be treated as insubordination and the student shall be subject to appropriate administrative action under school procedures, including:

• Parent contact by administrator or designee
• Verbal warning and correction of dress code violation
• Written warning, violation logged into Infinite Campus via contact log
• Referral to School Counselor
• Referral to School Social Worker Reasonable Accommodations

The principal is authorized to grant exemptions to the standard uniform dress code or the standard dress expectation for religious reasons, health reasons, or extraordinary circumstances. Students with disabilities may be granted reasonable accommodations. Such requests shall be produced in writing and submitted to the principal for approval. Students granted an exemption must dress in the appropriate manner approved by the principal. 

High School Dress and Grooming Standard With the exception of those participating in a School Choice or a Magnet program, high school students will not be required to wear an assigned uniform; however, they must dress appropriately and adhere to the dress code guidelines described below.

APPROPRIATE SIZES

Students shall wear clothing of appropriate size. Parents are expected to buy proper sized clothing. The size of shirts and pants shall be appropriate to the student’s body size and shall not be unduly oversized or undersized. Skinny pants, tights, or leggings that substitute as pants are not acceptable. Tights and leggings must be worn under a skirt that meets the length requirement (no more than 3 inches above the knee) of the dress code. 

Unacceptable Attire

Students are not allowed to wear clothing, jewelry (including body piercing jewelry and “grills”), buttons, haircuts, tattoos, or other attire or markings which are offensive, suggestive, disruptive, or indecent.

Unacceptable attire includes the following:

• Clothing associated with gangs
• Clothing encouraging the use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or violence
• Clothing associated with discrimination on the basis of age, color, handicap, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, or sex
• Clothing exposing the upper chest cleavage, torso, buttocks, or upper thighs such as see through garments, miniskirts, mini-dresses, halters, backless dresses, tube tops or tank tops with out over shirts, spaghetti strap garments without over shirts, bare midriff outfits, or shirts tied at the midriff
• Clothing that is intentionally altered or ill-fitted garments are not acceptable. Ill-fitted garments include, but are not limited to, garments that are too small or too large, unduly oversized or undersized, or skin-tight
• Transparent, mesh, or see through clothing
• Clothing must be completely buckled, belted, buttoned, or fastened; no sagging
• Cut, frayed or torn clothing with holes or patched holes
• Sleeveless shirts for boys
• No towels, wash cloths, or handkerchiefs are to be carried to school or used at school with exception of physical education class
• Clothing or outer garments traditionally designed as undergarments such as boxer shorts, bloomers, tights, hosiery, and sleepwear
• Clothing or footwear that is construed by the principal or designee as hazardous or dangerous to the health of the students or others
• Hats, hoods, headgear, or any head covering, except when approved by the principal Outer Garments The dress and grooming standard for high school students shall not prohibit students from wearing coats, jackets, sweaters, or other appropriate outer garments when necessary due to weather conditions or for other legitimate reasons and shall be the appropriate size for the student, shall not be overly baggy, not violate any other provisions of this protocol. Long overcoats or sweaters that might serve to conceal contraband shall be removed immediately upon arrival at the school or function.

Other Items

• Belts are required with no sagging of pants.
• Jeans that are ripped below the pocket and expose any part of the skin below the pocket are not permitted.
• Flip-flops, shower shoes, skate shoes, and house slippers are not permitted.
• No headgear of any kind is allowed. This includes hoods on clothing worn in the building. (Exceptions will be considered in the case of head-wear or scarves worn as a part of a student’s religious practice or for documented medical reasons)

Design, Emblem, or Lettering

• Any design, emblem or lettering which refers to or promotes drugs, alcohol, profanity, immodesty or racial, ethnic or sexual discrimination is not allowed.
• No graphic, pictures, or writing on clothing shall be permitted except as part of an insignia.
•  Any design, emblem or lettering should be no larger than 4 inches by 4 inches.

Unacceptable Shorts

Athletic shorts including spandex-style “bicycle” shorts, cut-off jeans, frayed jeans or pants, cut-off sweat pants, short-shorts, running shorts, and see-through boxer-type shorts are not permitted. 

IN ADDITION TO THE DISTRICT POLICY, NCHS PROHIBITS THE FOLLOWING:

• bonnets
• pajama tops or bottoms
• blankets