5511 - DRESS AND GROOMING

Brevard County (Florida)

Administrative Procedures

5511 - DRESS AND GROOMING

The Board’s dress and grooming policy was developed to provide specific guidelines for students to follow and staff to enforce regarding the dress or appearance of each student. Staff must ensure that a student’s dress is not extreme to the point that it creates a disruption in the learning environment, offensive or vulgar to the point that it infringes on the rights of other students/staff, may represent a hazard to the student wearing the attire, other students, staff, or to school property. Student dress standards of personal grooming should be in conformity with a studious atmosphere. The dress code shall be incorporated into the school’s Student Code of Conduct.

The following represents a minimum dress standard for all students to follow:

Head

		1.	No hats, curlers, bandanas, or sunglasses (unless prescribed by a physician) are to be worn in the school building or hallways.
		2.	Extreme hairstyles, hair colors, or make-up that is disruptive or does not allow direct eye contact is prohibited.

Upper Garments

		1.	Garments must be of a length and fit that are suitable to the build and stature of the student. The cut of sleeveless garments must not expose undergarments or be otherwise immodest.
		2.	Strapless garments are prohibited. Straps of permitted garments must be a minimum of 1 1/2 inches in width. (Tube tops and halter-tops are prohibited.)
		3.	Necklines of all upper garments must be modest. Low cut necklines are prohibited.
		4.	Excessively large or baggy clothes, which may conceal dangerous items or be a safety hazard, shall not be worn.
		5.	Upper garments must adequately cover the waistline and must not expose the midriff while the student is performing normal school-related activities (studying, retrieving books, raising hands, etc.).

Lower Garments

		1.	Pants shall conform to the build and stature of the student; shall be worn at the waist; and shall not extend below the heel of the shoe in length. Pants shall have no holes or rips.
		2.	Undergarments shall not be visible. (Sports bras are considered undergarments.)
		3.	Dresses and skirts must reach mid thigh.
		4.	Shorts must have clearly discernable inseams of reasonable length and cover the buttocks. Short shorts are prohibited.
		5.	Garments must be of a length and fit that are suitable to the build and stature of the student.

	D.	Footwear
		Students in K-6 must wear shoes that are safe and appropriate for recess and physical education. Students in grades 7-12 may wear footwear commonly considered as beachwear (for example, flip-flops, thongs, etc.) unless a course of instruction requires them to wear safe and appropriate footwear to protect the student from injury i.e., athletic shoes in physical education classes.
	E.	Accessories

		1.	Jewelry and accessories shall not convey messages that are crude; vulgar/profane; violent/death-oriented; gang related; sexually suggestive; and/or promoting alcohol, drugs, or tobacco.
		2.	Pierced jewelry shall be limited to the ear. Dog collars, tongue rings, wallet chains, large hair picks, chains that connect one part of the body to another, or other jewelry/accessories that pose a safety concern for the student or others shall be prohibited.

Gang Symbols or Clothing Showing Membership/Affiliation with a Gang

		1.	Any clothing, accessories, symbols, or regalia that convey membership or affiliation with a "gang" or other similarly oriented group or association prone to violence or criminal acts is prohibited.
		2.	Prohibited gang clothing, accessories, or regalia can include, but is not limited to, gang related colors, rolled up bandanas about the head or other parts of the body, knit caps, rolled up or split pant cuffs, certain sports attire that has a "street meaning", etc.

Other

		1.	Beachwear and see-through or otherwise revealing apparel is not considered appropriate.
		2.	Students are not permitted to wear clothing which contains vulgar, sexually explicit, or oriented wording/scenes, promotes tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drug use, or contains printed profanity as defined in Policy 5500.

Administrators Advocating a Stricter Dress Code For Their School

If school administrators have concerns that certain types of clothing or jewelry normally allowed under the guidelines (as set forth in "A" through "G" above) represent a specific health and safety danger to students in the school, the administrators may form a committee. The committee must consist of six (6) members of the student body, chosen by the student government; three (3) members of the faculty, chosen by the faculty; and three (3) parents chosen by the principal; with the principal acting as chairperson. The purpose of the committee would be to discuss and prepare a more stringent dress code than listed above. The committee must fully understand the reasons for the administration’s concern and limit their recommendations to address the specific health and safety concerns. Once the committee has come to consensus with regard to the safety concern, they must submit their recommendation to the Superintendent of Schools in writing for evaluation and approval. If approved, the Superintendent will submit the recommendation to the School Board at their next regularly scheduled meeting. If the School Board approves the recommended changes to address that school’s specific health and safety concern, the school will make this change part of its Code of Conduct and all students at the school will be notified of the change each year thereafter. The Board has the discretion to require all schools to comply with these recommendations if they feel it is in the District’s best interest.

Enforcement of the Policy

The following key procedures will serve as the foundation for the enforcement of the dress code guidelines:

		1.	All staff members are to be aware of the approved dress code guidelines and are responsible for making the administration aware of any possible violation.
		2.	All staff members should refer any student that is not in compliance with the dress code to an administrator.
		3.	All decisions on appropriateness of attire will be made by administration in order to minimize any disruption of the educational process.
		4.	Once administration deems a student’s attire to be inappropriate, parents will be called and the violation will be reported and discussed. Parents may be asked to provide an appropriate (alternate) means of dress before their child is allowed back in class that day.
		5.	A student will not be permitted to return to class without meeting the requirements of the dress code.
		6.	Repeated violations of the school dress code will result in progressive disciplinary action.

Objections to the Policy

		1.	The principal is the arbiter of student dress and grooming in his/her building.
		2.	The principal shall instruct staff members to demonstrate by example and precept wholesome attitudes toward neatness, cleanliness, propriety, modesty, and good sense in attire and appearance.
		3.	The principal shall ensure that all rules implementing this policy impose only minimum and necessary restrictions on the exercise of the student's taste and individuality.
		4.	Should any student communicate a written allegation that enforcement of this policy would represent a willful violation of their Federally protected rights; the principal shall communicate with their area superintendent, superintendent over student services, and risk management for further instructions.

Approved 4/28/09