FILE:  H-3.4

 

STUDENT DRESS CODE

 

 

The policy of the City of Baker School Board shall be that no mode of attire shall be considered proper for school wear that disrupts the classroom and/or the school's positive learning environment.  In questions regarding student dress and grooming, the principal or his/her designee of each school shall make the final decision as to what is considered proper or improper dress according to the guidelines provided.

 

The School Board's position is that it wants to teach each student to use good judgment in his/her total appearance so that the attention of others is not distracted from the purpose of the school.  Cleanliness and the values of the community shall be a basic consideration.

 

NOTIFICATION

 

The School Board shall notify the parent or guardian of each student of the dress code specifications and their effective date.

 

If the School Board modifies the existing uniform policy, it shall notify, in writing the parent or guardian of each student of the policy adoption or uniform policy modification at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the new or revised policy.  Each school shall display any uniform selected for a reasonable period prior to the proposed effective date for wearing of the uniform.

 

However, nothing shall prohibit the School Board from requiring a new or revised dress code or uniform policy without the required notice in the event of an emergency.  For the purposes of this policy, emergency shall mean an actual or imminent threat to health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage.

 

DRESS AND PERSONAL GROOMING

 

Student dress and grooming are not to adversely affect the students' participation in classes, school programs, other school-related activities or detract from the learning environment of the school.  Extremes in style and fit in student dress and extremes in style of grooming will not be permitted.  Administrators are authorized to use their discretion in determining extremes in styles of dress and grooming and what is appropriate and suitable for school wear.  No student shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, blade, symbols, sign or other things which are evidence of affiliation with drugs, alcohol, violence or gang related activities or exhibits profane or obscene language/gestures.  Policies regarding dress and grooming stress the importance of reducing distractions that inhibit learning and are addressed as an attempt to enhance the learning environment.

 

BODY ARMOR

 

It shall be unlawful and against School Board policy for any student or non-student to wear or possess on his/her person, at any time, body armor on any School Board property, school campus, at a school-sponsored function, on a school bus or other school transportation, or in a firearm-free zone, with limited exception as enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95.9.  School-sponsored functions shall include, but not be limited to, athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities.  A firearm-free zone means any area within one thousand feet of any school campus and within a school bus.

 

Body armor shall mean bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.

 

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

 

The School Board requires students to wear uniforms to school as designated.

 

Uniform Policy General Guidelines

 

  1. Students shall wear the appropriate colored uniforms as follows:

    Elementary School Student Uniforms:  Navy bottoms, burgundy tops.

    Middle School Student Uniforms:  Khaki bottoms and navy tops.

    High School Student Uniforms:  Khaki bottoms, red tops.  Ninth Grade Success Academy students shall wear white tops.

 

  1. Tops:  Plain shirts/blouses with a collar, turtlenecks are acceptable in winter.  No t-shirts allowed.

  2. Shoes:  Closed-toe shoes/sneakers, no flip-flops or house shoes.

  3. Other Uniforms:  Approved club uniforms (Scouts, 4-H, etc) may be worn on meeting days.

  4. Bottoms:  Pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, and jumpers that are not more than 5 inches above the knee.

  5. No jeans, biking shorts, stretch pants or sweatpants.

  6. Belts will be worn on bottoms with belt loops.

  7. Shirts and Blouses will be tucked in.

 

DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS

 

Students who violate the dress code shall be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

 

A student enrolled in grades prekindergarten through five shall not be suspended or expelled from school or suspended from riding on any school bus for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.

 

Revised:  December, 2008 Revised:  June, 2011
Approved:  May 19, 2009  Revised:  February, 2012
Revised:  August, 2010  Revised:  May 3, 2016

 

 

Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.9, 17:81, 17:416.7

Scott v. Board of Education, 304 N.Y.S.S. 2d 601 (1969)

Karr v. Schmidt, 460 F. 2d 609 (5th Cir. 1972)

Board minutes, 2-18-03, 5-19-09, 5-17-11, 11-29-11, 5-3-16

 

City of Baker School District