Jerome Joint School District No. 261

STUDENTS 3255

Student Dress

One of the fundamental purposes of school is to provide the foundation for the creation and development of a

proper attitude toward education. In order to further this purpose, it is essential to create and maintain an

effective teaching and learning environment. Student attire impacts the teaching and learning environment. It can

either promote a more effective educational environment, or it can disrupt the educational climate and process.

Student attire that is acceptable for some social settings may not be acceptable for the educational environment of

school.

Students are reminded that their appearance (clothing and grooming) significantly affects the way others respond

to them. Matters of dress remain the primary responsibility of students, in consultation with their parents or legal

guardians. Nevertheless, since it is the duty of the Board of Trustees to provide an educational atmosphere

conducive to learning, minimizing disruptions or distractions, and to protect the health, safety, and morals of

students all students will adhere to the following certain minimum standards of dress when the student is on any

school premises or at any school sponsored activity, regardless of location.

In general, students are not to wear or carry items of apparel (clothing, accessories, cosmetics, tattoos, jewelry—

including body piercing) which depict or allude to, by picture, symbol or word, drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, gangs, violence, sexually explicit, lewd, indecent or offensive material, or illegal acts. The wearing, using, or displaying of any gang clothing or attire (based upon the principal/designee’s reasonable belief that gangs may be present in a school) jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign, codes or other things which evidence membership or affiliation in any gang is prohibited on any school premises or at any school sponsored activity, regardless of location.

The Board of Trustees urges parents and students to exercise sound judgment, based upon the standard of

appropriateness for the school setting. For example, clothing exposing bare midriffs, shorts, and short skirts will

not be allowed. The superintendent or his designee is hereby authorized to promulgate regulations consistent with

the provisions of this policy.

Interpretation and Implementation of Policy

The building principal/designee shall use reasonable discretion in interpreting and implementing the provisions of

this policy. If a conflict arises in the interpretation of this policy, the building principals will include guidelines for

student dress in school handbooks, and advise students of expectations. Dress code rules will be appropriate for

the age and grade of students attending the school.

Enforcement

Teachers and administrators may deny class entrance to students dressed or otherwise adorned inappropriately

until arrangements may be made for their proper attire. All time missed from classes for failure to adhere to this

policy will be deemed unexcused absences. Parents or guardians will be notified each time a student is asked to

leave school because of inappropriate attire. Students who are insubordinate or refuse to change the improper

attire, or who repeat dress code violations shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or

expulsion, depending on all the facts and circumstances, for violating the standards of student conduct.

Temporary Exceptions

In order to allow appropriate attire for a particular educational or school activity, the building principal/designee

has the authority to grant temporary exceptions to specific provisions of this policy and related regulations. An

example of such an exception might be where a specially scheduled school event required a group of students to

dress unusually on a particular day.

Accommodations

The District will seek to accommodate cultural, religious, and ethnic differences in dress and grooming, provided

such dress or grooming does not materially or substantially disrupt the educational process of the school or create

a health or safety hazard for students, staff, or others. No student shall be required to modify their natural head

or facial hair, such as by shaving or straightening through the application of heat or chemicals.

Legal Reference: I.C. 33-506 Organization and Government of Board of Trustees

I.C. 33-512(6) Governance of Schools

Policy History:

Adopted on: 01/22/2013

Revised on: 11/28/2017