FILE: JCDB

Dress Code

 The Board has the responsibility to maintain an appropriate atmosphere conducive to learning. Therefore, any student wearing an article of clothing or a manner of hairstyle or makeup determined by the teachers and principals to be disruptive of the learning environment or hazardous to the health and safety of the student and/or teacher shall not be allowed.

 The primary guide in determining what is not appropriate is the extent to which such dress code or grooming attracts undue attention in the classroom or school.

 If the principal determines that the student’s dress or grooming is unacceptable, adequate time shall be allowed the student in order to make proper adjustments. However, when a student continues to ignore the required changes, he/she shall be subject to disciplinary action.

 The Board requires that specific dress code rules and regulations be developed at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

 The specific dress code rules and regulations for elementary and middle school grades K-8, shall be as follows:

Boys, Grades K- 8:

·         Navy slacks (No jeans).

·         Navy shorts (knee length) for grades K-3 only.

·         Plain white oxford shirts or white polo style shirts with long or short sleeves.

·         Shirts must be worn on the inside of pants.

·         Solid black or navy belt; navy or white suspenders.

·         Navy, black or white socks.

·         Navy or white sweater (pull over V-neck, cardigan, or crew neck).

·         Predominately black or predominately white athletic shoes (high-priced, brand named shoes are not recommended and should not be worn).

·         Black or brown dress or casual shoes with black, brown, or white shoelaces.

·         No earrings, necklaces, chains or body-piercing jewelry.

·         No more than two rings may be worn.

·         Hair must be neat and well-kept.

·         No designs or patterns in the eyebrows or hair.

·         No hats, caps, scarves, headbands, or bandanas.

Girls, Grade K-8:

·         Navy slacks (No jeans).

·         Navy A-line or pleated skirt; navy jumper (knee length or below).

·         Navy split skirts (knee length or below).

·         Navy shorts (knee length) for grades K-3 only.

·         Black or navy belt; navy or white suspenders.

·         Navy, black or white socks.

·         Plain white oxford shirts or white polo style shirts with 3 buttons.

·         Shirts must be worn on the inside of the pants or skirt.

·         No hats, caps, scarves, headbands, or bandannas.

·         Plain navy, white or natural color hose; navy or white tights.

·         Navy or white sweater (pull over V-neck, cardigan, or crew neck).

·         Predominately black or predominately white athletic shoes (high-priced, brand named shoes are not recommended and should not be worn).

·         Black or brown dress or casual shoes with black, brown or white shoelaces.

·         No necklaces, chains, or body-piercing jewelry.

·         No more than two rings or one pair of earrings may be worn.

·         Hair must be neat and well-kept.

·         No designs or patterns in the eyebrows or hair.

The Board has adopted the following dress code for high school students effective on the first day of school 2005-2006. The dress code is as follows:

Boys, Grades 9-12:

·         Khaki or black pants. (No jeans) (Must reach the top of the shoes.)

·         No shorts, rolled up pants legs, overalls, etc.

·         Pants must be worn around the waist and with a belt.

·         Plain black or brown belts with standard buckles. No large buckles.

·         Plain white oxford shirts or white polo style shirts with two or three buttons, Grades 9-11 (No insignias or logos except the official school logo).

·         Plain white or powder blue oxford shirts or white or powder blue polo style shirts with two or three buttons, Grade 12 ONLY (No insignias or logos except the official school logo).

·         Shirts must be tucked in.

·         Only white undershirts without emblems or insignias may be worn under the uniform shirts.

·         Predominately black or predominately white athletic shoes with black or white shoelaces.

·         Black or brown dress or casual shoes with black, brown, or white shoelaces. (No house slippers, beach sandals, sandals, or flip-flops).

·         Black, brown, or white socks.

·         No earrings, necklaces, chains, or other body-piecing jewelry.

·         No more than two rings may be worn.

·         No hats, caps, scarves, headbands, or bandannas.

·         Hair must be neat and well-kept.

·         Plain black, khaki, or white cardigan style jackets or sweaters.

·         Jackets and sweaters must have a zippered or button front. No pullovers. No emblems or insignias except the official school logo.

·         No designs or patterns in the eyebrows or hair.

·         All students must wear current and official student ID’s.

Girls, Grades 9-12:

·         Plain white oxford shirts or white polo style shirts with two or three buttons with sleeves and collars – Grades 9-11. (No low-cut, revealing blouses or shirts). No logos or insignias except the official school logo.

·         Plain white or powder blue oxford shirts or white or powder blue polo style shirts with two or three buttons with sleeves and collars – Grade 12 ONLY. (No low-cut, revealing blouses or shirts). No logos or insignias except the official school logo.

·         Shirts must be worn on the inside of pants or skirt.

·         Standard khaki or black pants. (No capri pants, jeans, spandex pants, shorts, jumpers, overalls, etc.). Pants must reach the top of the shoes.

·         Pants must be worn around the waist and with a belt.

·         Khaki or black skirts. (Must be worn below the knee.) Splits in the skirt may not rise above the knee and shall only be on the back of the skirt.

·         Plain black or brown belts with standard buckles. No large buckles.

·         Predominately black or predominately white athletic shoes with black or white shoelaces.

·         Black or brown dress or casual shoes with black, brown, or white shoelaces. (No house slippers, beach sandals, sandals, or flip-flops.)

·         Black, white, or brown socks or hose.

·         Only white undershirts or camisoles without emblems or insignias may be worn under the uniform blouse or shirt.

·         No hats, caps, scarves, headbands, or bandannas.

·         Plain black, khaki, or white cardigan style jackets or sweaters.

·         Jackets and sweaters must have a zippered or button front. No pullovers. No emblems or insignias except the official school logo.

·         No necklaces, chains, or body-piercing jewelry.

·         No more than two rings and one pair of earrings may be worn.

·         Hair must be neat and well-kept.

·         No designs or patterns in the eyebrows or hair.

·         All students must wear current and official student ID’s.

Source:            Bessemer City Board of Education, Bessemer, AL.

Adopted:         October 18, 2004                    Revised: August 25, 2006

Legal Ref.:      Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986).