DRESS CODE

 

The standards for Shelby County Schools dress reflect “common sense” and a concern for each child's comfort, safety, cleanliness, and sense of modesty. There is a strong relationship between neat, appropriate attire and a positive learning environment. Apparel or appearance which tends to draw attention to an individual rather than to a learning situation must be avoided.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DRESS CODE

To help create the best learning environment for elementary students, the following standards for student dress must be observed in all Shelby County Elementary Schools:

1. Pants must be worn at the waist and must be appropriately sized and at a safe length.
2. Head apparel (such as hoods, hat, etc.), except for religious or medical reasons, must not be worn inside the school building.
3. Footwear is required and must be safe and appropriate for indoor or outdoor physical activity.
4. Clothing or accessories may not display offensive, vulgar language or images and must not advertise products which students may not legally purchase.
5. For students in Grades 3-5, “short shorts”, mini-skirts, and skin-tight outer material such as spandex are inappropriate attire. No shorts or skirts shorter than 4 inches above the knee are allowed.
6. Shirts, blouses, and dresses must completely cover the abdomen, back, and shoulders, and shirts or tops must cover the waistband of pants, shorts, or skirts with no midriff visible and must be no longer than wrist-length.
7. Waist length sweaters, sweatshirts, and lightweight jackets (appropriately sized) can be worn inside school for warmth.

The school administration reserves the right to determine whether the student's attire and appearance are within the acceptable limits. In matters of opinion, the judgment of the principal/designee shall prevail.

The principal may allow exceptions for school-wide programs or special classroom activities.

The school administration will administer appropriate consequences for policy infractions.

This policy does not preclude individual schools from piloting alternative dress policies or standards with permission from the Superintendent and the Board of Education after extensive consultation with parents, teachers, and students. Any deviation from the system-wide policy must be submitted in writing to the Superintendent/Designee for review and recommendation to the Board of Education following Shelby County Schools Policies and Procedures for Voluntary by School Standardized Dress Guidelines.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL DRESS CODE

The following expectations for student dress have been established to promote a safe and optimum learning environment.

Apparel or appearance which tends to draw attention to an individual rather than to a learning situation must be avoided. In matters of opinion, the judgment of the principal/designee shall prevail.

The following standards will be observed in all Shelby County Middle and High Schools:

1. Pants must be worn at the waist and must be appropriately sized and at a safe length.
2. Shirts, blouses, and dresses must completely cover the abdomen, back, shoulders and must have sleeves. Shirts or tops must cover the waistband of pants, shorts, or skirts with no midriff visible. Low-cut blouses, shirts, or tops or extremely tight tops, tube tops, or any top that exposes cleavage are prohibited. Shirts, blouses, and tops must be no longer than wrist-length.
3. Head apparel (such as hoods, hats, etc.), except for religious or medical purposes, must not be worn inside the school building.
4. Footwear is required and must be safe and appropriate for indoor and outdoor activity.
5. Clothing and accessories such as backpacks, patches, jewelry, and notebooks must not display (1) racial or ethnic slurs/symbols, (2) gang affiliations, (3) vulgar, subversive, or sexually suggestive images; nor should they promote products which students may not legally buy; such as alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
6. Skirts, dresses, and shorts must be no shorter than 4 inches above the knee.
7. Sleepwear, pajamas, and/or blankets cannot be worn in school.
8. Waist length sweaters, sweatshirts, and lightweight jackets (appropriately sized) can be worn inside school for warmth.
9. Prohibited items include (1) large, long and/or heavy chains, (2) studded or chained accessories, (3) sunglasses, except for health purposes, (4) sleepwear and (5) skin-tight outer materials such as spandex; (6) facial jewelry (including tongue piercing).

The school administration reserves the right to determine whether the student’s attire is within the limits of decency, modesty, and safety.

The principal may allow exceptions in special circumstances or occasions such as holidays or special performances and may further prescribe dress in certain classes such as physical education, vocational classes, and science labs.

Any student not attired in accordance with the policy shall be subject to the following consequences:

1. Correct the violation or spend the remainder of the day in in-school suspension (ISS).
2. Repeat offenders shall be subject to additional measures which include parent conferences, in-school suspension, and out-of-school suspensions as described in the county-wide discipline policy.
   
   This policy does not preclude individual schools from implementing standardized dress policies with permission from the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education after extensive consultation with parents, teachers, and students. Any deviation from the system-wide policy must be submitted in writing to the Superintendent/Designee for review and recommendation to the Board of Education following Shelby County Schools Policies and Procedures for Voluntary by School Standardized Dress Guidelines.