Dress Code

Secondary Dress Code Policy (Grades 6 - 12)

General Rules

Outer clothing which resembles loungewear, pajamas, or underwear is prohibited.
Fads and styles in dress which differ extremely from conventionally accepted standards are prohibited.
Any clothing that is viewed as distracting because of extremes in style, fit, color, pattern, fabric, etc., shall not be permitted. Undergarments may not be exposed at any time.
Specific Rules

Blouses/shirts should be constructed so that the top of the shoulder is covered and is fitted under the arms (no halter tops, tank tops, strapless tops, spaghetti straps, or bare-shouldered tops of any type will be allowed). Blouses/shirts which expose any portion of the waist, hips, or midriff are not allowed. Blouses/shirts which are not appropriate for school include those which are low-cut, see-through, backless, or tube tops.
Clothing which is cut, slashed or has holes, is prohibited.
In accordance with board policy governing student conduct with regard to bullying, weapons, gangs, and drugs: clothing shall be free of inflammatory, suggestive, racial, or other inappropriate writing, advertisement, or artwork. This includes offensive words and designs, violence (blood, death, weapons), sex, playboy symbols, hate groups, tobacco products, drugs, and alcohol.
No clothing or other article may be worn or displayed which may indicate membership in a gang at school or any school function.
Pants, skirts, and dresses must be knee-length or longer, and must have a hem.
Shirts must be tucked in.
Nylon windsuits that fit appropriately are permitted.
Mesh, nylon, or athletic shorts are not permitted in the classroom. These type shorts may be worn during P.E. classes only.
Accessories

Shoes/sandals must be worn at all times. Cleated shoes are prohibited inside the building. House/bedroom slippers are not acceptable.
Male students may not wear earrings; female students may wear earrings. Neither male nor female students may wear ornaments (jewelry) which pierce the skin such as the nose, lips, tongue, eyelid, etc.
Students may not wear hats, caps, bandanas, sunglasses, combs, picks, etc., inside the building.
Hair & Grooming

Hair must be well groomed. Only conventional hair coloring will be permitted. Extreme hairstyles and fads that would interfere with the learning process, cause a disruption of the educational environment, or be a health or safety hazard are prohibited.
Well-groomed mustaches are permitted; goatees and beards are prohibited.
Coats

Due to variances in physical design of schools, principal's discretion will apply to wearing of outer garments, coats, and jackets. Students may wear coats/winter garments to school, but may be asked to store them in their lockers during the school day. Students are encouraged to bring lightweight jackets to wear in the building as changes in weather dictate.

NOTE: Principal discretion applies to all of the above.

Elementary School Dress Code Policy(Pre-K - 5th Grades)
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS' DRESS CODE

Appropriate dress, appearance, proper behavior, and cleanliness are vital to each member of the school community. Developing good tastes in attire, good grooming habits, and good behavior is a part of the educational program. Wearing inappropriate dress to school can have a negative influence on the educational process and the educational climate of the school.

Each student, with the advice and counsel of his/her parents or guardian should dress in a manner which is appropriate for school and its related activities. Students dressed modestly will generally have no problems concerning student dress codes.

The following guidelines are followed in determining whether or not a studes attire is appropriate.

The dress, apparel, ornament (jewelry), or grooming is not detrimental to the health and safety of the student or other students. Male students are not permitted to wear earrings.

The dress, apparel, ornament, or grooming is not detrimental to the educational process or the educational climate.

The dress, apparel, ornament, or grooming is consistent with conventional standards of modesty and decorum.

The dress, apparel, ornament, or grooming is free from words, slogans, or pictures, which advertise drugs, alcohol, or sex or which contain vulgar or offensive writing, racial slurs, suggestive pictures or emblems or which may infer membership in gangs.

The campus administrator of the school is charged with the enforcement of the student dress code. The campus administrator is given wide latitude of discretion in the determination of proper or improper dress and behavior of students. Students who are found to be in violation of the dress code are subject to disciplinary action. The principal's actions may include:

counseling the student
warning the student
calling parents to bring a change of clothes
placing the student in in-school suspension for the remainder of the day
suspending the student short term
recommending long-term suspension (for flagrant or repeated violations)

All clothing is to be worn appropriately and in the manner for which it was designed. For example, a shirt designed to be tucked in the trousers or skirt should be worn with the shirttail tucked in. Belts should be buckled. The school reserves the right to establish rules during the school year regarding new fashions in dress.
The following rules for dress, apparel, ornament, and/or grooming apply:

Outer clothing which resembles loungewear, pajamas, or underwear is prohibited.
See-through clothing is prohibited. (T-shirts must be worn under mesh see-through shirts.)
Proper underclothing which insures modesty is required.
Shoes/sandals must be worn at all times. Cleated shoes are prohibited inside the building.
Clothing that is too tight so as to be immodest is prohibited.
Clothing which has holes cut or torn that may expose the seat or parts of the body unique to the male or female is prohibited.
Halter tops, backless blouses, strapless blouses and dresses, sleeveless T-shirts, bike shorts and short-shorts are prohibited. Shorts appropriate for young children are permitted. Students in grades Pre-K through 3rd grade may wear tank tops.
Fads and styles in dress that differ extremely from conventionally accepted standards are prohibited.
Hair must be well groomed; extremes in style and color should be avoided.
Students may not wear hats, caps, combs, or picks, etc., inside the building.
Extremes in clothing style, color, pattern, and fabric should be avoided.

Goal: Students of the Houston County School System are expected to dress in a manner that is supportive of a positive learning environment that is free of distractions and disruptions.

There is a direct correlation between student dress and student behavior. Students will be expected to observe modes of dress, styles of hair, and personal grooming, which support the learning environment.

The purpose of this dress code is to assure that consistency and interpretation is implemented county-wide, thus providing equitable treatment for all students.

High Schools

Middle Schools

Elementary Schools