Monroe County High School. Dress Code Policy Amended November 12, 2013

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1 Monroe County High School Dress Code Policy Amended November 12, 2013

2 A policy is a principle or protocol to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. It is a statement of intent, and is implemented as a procedure or protocol. Stakeholders : Student Advisory Committee Provided input Parent Committee A group of parents reviewed the policy, provided input, and provided their support MCHS Site Based Decision Making Council The dress code policy was unanimously approved to be accepted and implemented Monroe County Board of Education The dress code policy was unanimously approved As the principal of Monroe County High School, it is my professional responsibility to implement and enforce all policies that have been approved by the SBDM and the Monroe County Board of Education.

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4 Monroe Co. High School Dress Code In agreement with the overall mission and goals of Monroe County High School, the site based decision making council, the administration, and the professional staff believes that appearance and appropriate dress is vitally important to the educational environment. Our goal is to create an atmosphere of professionalism that will prepare our students for success in the future; and, to establish a school environment with limited distractions to the educational process. The intent of this policy is to promote a sense of community, school pride, and to establish high standards for our students. As professional educators, we believe that our students should understand and appreciate that a proper standard of dress and responsibility will be required of them when they enter the work force. We also feel that this dress code will contribute in a reasonable way to school safety, student discipline and the overall good order of our school. While the policy allows for flexibility and personal expression, it does conform to basic standards of dress required at the workplace. This policy has been reviewed by a student advisory committee, parents, teachers, site based decision making council, and the Monroe County Board of Education. The policy was unanimously agreed upon by the Monroe County High School Site Based Decision Making Council and put into effect January 3, Monroe County High School remains committed to developing young scholars who are well prepared for the rigorous demands of the 21 st century work place.

5 First Amendment Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

6 The 5 First Amendment Freedoms Speech The First Amendment says that people have the right to speak freely without government interference. Press The First Amendment gives the press the right to publish news, information and opinions without government interference. This also means people have the right to publish their own newspapers, newsletters, magazines, etc. Religion The First Amendment prohibits government from establishing a religion and protects each person's right to practice (or not practice) any faith without government interference. Petition The First Amendment says that people have the right to appeal to government in favor of or against policies that affect them or that they feel strongly about. This freedom includes the right to gather signatures in support of a cause and to lobby legislative bodies for or against legislation. Assembly The First Amendment says that people have the right to gather in public to march, protest, demonstrate, carry signs and otherwise express their views in a nonviolent way. It also means people can join and associate with groups and organizations without interference.

7 Students Rights -- Dress Codes 1. Can the school tell me what I can or can t wear? People express themselves through their dress just as they do through their speech. So, the First Amendment should protect student dress. However, school officials in many states claim dress codes are necessary to prevent gang activity, promote safety, and prevent distraction and disruption in public schools. The U.S. Supreme Court has not heard a case involving a challenge to a public school dress code or uniform policy. Lower courts have generally sided with schools and supported the constitutionality of dress codes. Some scholars believe the Supreme Court would be unlikely to overturn a school s dress code unless it felt the code was really unreasonable or discriminatory. In general, federal courts have found schools grooming requirements to be reasonable. Whatever dress code a school uses, the code must be written clearly so students know exactly what is or is not permitted.

8 General Expectations Appropriate dress is required for all students who attend Monroe Co. High School. An educational environment is not a casual social outing; therefore, a certain degree of decorum is expected. Those expectations are outlined below. Any apparel that attracts undue attention to itself and becomes a distraction to the school day will be responded to as deemed necessary by the administration. Students may NOT carry or wear anything that promotes gangs, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products. Students may NOT carry or wear anything that promotes/suggest lewd/inappropriate messages and/or behaviors. Sunglasses may NOT be worn in the building. No bandannas, combs (picks), or chains are to be worn or displayed. This includes but is not limited to bandanna worn around the arm or leg. No pajama s or lounge wear, including house shoes are to be worn. No caps/hats/head coverings (including hoods) are to be worn. They should be left in the locker during the school day.

9 General Expectations No slashes, cuts, or holes revealing skin above the knee. No micro or miniskirts/dresses. No halter tops or dresses that reveal the midriff or bare back. All shirts and tops must be long enough to be tucked in at the waist. No sleeveless shirts tank tops, spaghetti strap tops, cut out T-shirts/muscle shirts, or fishnet shirts. No apparel can be worn indecently low below the waist. No sagging. Discretion of administration. No over coats/trench coats can be worn unless permission is granted by the principal. No undergarments can be exposed. No earrings/jewelry of any type may be worn that are 1) a safety concern, 2) a public health concern, 3) promote illegal substances, or 4) are a distraction to learning environment all of which will be at the discretion of the administration. No revealing clothing shall be permitted, such as low cut tops that over expose the chest area or back. (See specifics below) A student s body should be appropriately covered from just below their necks to at least their knees through a full range of motion (bending over, raising arms, etc). Clothing should fit appropriately.

10 Specific Expectations Pants/Shorts/Skirts/Dresses Pants must be worn at the waist. No Sagging. No holes with exposed skin above the knees. No spandex, yoga pants, or leggings/jeggings are allowed. No body conforming shorts or pants (unless worn under a top layer garment that extends to the fingertips) Shorts and skirts/dresses must be knee length. (A credit card width leeway will be recognized.) Shirts Must be sufficient length to stay tucked in when arms are raised. No Sleeveless shirts are permitted. Must have sleeves at least the width of a credit card. No low cut or backless shirts. Shirt must not extend below the first ½ of shoulder blade. If the shirt is see-through (sheer), appropriate undergarment that meets dress code must be worn. No bra straps should be visible. Coats/Jackets/Gloves Oversized coats or jackets are not to be worn in the building. Our building is maintained at a suitable and comfortable temperature. No gloves inside the classroom Shoes/Boots (Appropriate Footwear) Appropriate footwear must be worn inside the building

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12 The following slides are designed to give students, parents, and staff a pictorial representation of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. Our goal is to make this policy clear and easily understood.

13 No holes with exposed skin above the knees Acceptable Dress Unacceptable Dress

14 No apparel can be worn indecently low below the waist. No sagging. Discretion of Administration. Acceptable Dress Unacceptable Dress No Sagging

15 Shorts and skirts/dresses must be knee length. (A credit card width leeway will be recognized.) Credit Card Width Acceptable dress Unacceptable Dress

16 No spandex, yoga pants, or leggings/jeggings are allowed. No body conforming shorts or pants (unless worn under a top layer garment that extends to the fingertips) Acceptable Dress Over Garment must be at or below fingertips Unacceptable Dress

17 No Sleeveless shirts are permitted. Must have sleeves at least the width of a credit card. Acceptable Dress Sleeves must cover the shoulder Unacceptable Dress

18 No low cut or backless shirts. Shirt must not extend below the first ½ of shoulder blade. Acceptable Dress Unacceptable Dress The back of the shirt must not extend below the first 1/2 of the shoulder blades. Administrative Discretion will be used.

19 Obviously, we will not be able to address every dress code issue in this power point presentation. There will, undoubtedly be situations arise that are directly addressed in this slide show. When that occurs, the principal or his designee will use administrative discretion to resolve the issue. It is therefore, the right of the principal or his designee to determine the appropriateness of the students dress.