School Board

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#5016

 

SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17109

 

POLICY

 

DRESS AND GROOMING

 

Purpose

 

The Board recognizes that each student’s mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference. The Board also recognizes that some forms of dress are not appropriate or create a disruption or distraction to the learning environment.

 

Authority


The Board has the authority to impose limitations on students’ dress in school. The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents/guardians to make decisions regarding their appearance, except when their choices disrupt the educational program of the schools or affect the health and safety of others.

 

Susquehanna Township School District administration reserves the right to question any mode of dress/jewelry/hairstyle that is beyond current community/school accepted standards or in any manner jeopardizes the health, welfare or safety of the student or other students. Any clothing judged to be a disruptive influence in class, or interfering with the educational rights of others, is considered improper dress.

 

Appearance

 

All students are to be groomed and dressed appropriately for school and school activities. A student’s dress and/or appearance shall:

 

    1. Support, not disrupt, the learning environment

    2. Constitute no threat to health or safety

    3. Reflect practices of good hygiene and cleanliness

 

Reasonable consideration shall be made for those students who, because of a sincerely held religious belief or medical reason, request a waiver of a particular guideline for dress or appearance. The waiver request shall be in writing from the parent or guardian and approved by the principal and/or principal’s designee on an annual basis. In considering a waiver request, the principal and/or principal’s designee have the right to request additional documentation from medical officials and/or religious leaders.

 

Reasonable accommodation shall be made by the principal for students involved in special duties, activities, or projects approved by the school. This would include but not be limited to athletics, career and technical education, P.E. classes, special events, and other activities that require non-conforming dress on a school campus prior to/during a school-sponsored event.



Guidelines


The following are specifics to the Dress Code for the Susquehanna Township School District.

 

I.       General

  1. Torn or ripped clothing is not permitted.

  2. Spandex or skin-tight outfits of any type or materials are not permitted.

  3. Clothing must be appropriately sized. Baggy pants or shirts that can conceal items and/or pose a safety hazard are not permitted.

  4. Undergarments must not be exposed in any way.

 

II.    Tops

  1. Tops may not reveal cleavage, must cover to the waist and bare backs are not permitted.

  2. The following are unacceptable school attire:

    1. Tank tops/muscle shirts.
    2. Spaghetti strap/halter/mesh tops
    3. See-through blouses or shirts.
    4. Tube tops/crop tops.
      1.  Any top that is skin-tight or allows the stomach, cleavage or undergarments to be exposed is not permitted.

      2. Coats, jackets or garments designed for protection from the outside weather are not to be worn in school.

 

III. Pants/Shorts/Skirts/Skorts

  1. Pants, shorts, and skorts must be secured and worn above the hip. Low riding/sag style is not permitted.

  2. Length of pants will not extend beyond the bottom of the shoe and will not drag on the floor.

  3. Tear-away pants (snap pants) and boxer shorts worn as outerwear is not permitted.

  4. Shorts, skirts, skorts and jumpers shall be of sufficient length. The length of these articles of clothing shall be no shorter than three inches above the top of the knee when standing.

  5. Cut-off pants or shorts of any type are not permitted.

 

IV. Offensive Dress

  1. Clothing, patches, buttons, pins, jewelry, and back packs are not permitted if they:
  1. Have sexually suggestive writing/pictures.

  2. Advocates violence.

  3. Advertises or promotes the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

  4. Have double meaning wording or obscene language.

  5. Are disrespectful to anyone or to any group covered under Policy 2410.
  1. A tattoo must be covered if it:
  1. Has sexually suggestive writing/pictures.

  2. Advocate violence.

  3. Advertise or promote the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

  4. Has double meaning wording or obscene language.

  5. Is disrespectful to anyone or to any group covered under Policy 2410.
  1. The use of hand signals, graffiti or the presence of any apparel, jewelry, or accessory or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, symbol or any other attribute which indicates or implies membership in/or affiliation with a gang presents a clear and present danger to the school environment and educational objectives of the community and is prohibited. 

 

V.          Footwear

  1. Shoes must be worn at all times.

  2. Flip flops and high heeled shoes (heels greater than one inch) are not acceptable for K-5 students.

  3. Shoes with laces must be tied.

 

VII.    Jewelry

  1. Spiked jewelry, chains or any jewelry that could cause injury, constitute a hazard or disrupt the learning are not permitted.

 

VIII. Head Wear

  1. Hats, caps, bandanas, sunglasses, visors, and sweatbands are not permitted unless medically necessary or for religious reasons.

 

IX.       Health and Hygiene

  1. Any apparel that is judged to be unhealthy or unsanitary (e.g. clothing that is dirty and/or gives off a foul odor) is not permitted.

  2. Each student is expected to maintain good personal hygiene.

 

Enforcement

 

Appropriate disciplinary actions for violations shall include the following:

 

First Offense: Students shall be informed that they have violated the policy. They shall be given the opportunity to change into acceptable clothing available at school or by calling a parent/guardian to bring in acceptable clothing. If neither of these options is used, the students may be placed in in-school suspension for the remainder of the day.

 

Second Offense: A second infraction of the policy shall be considered as defiance. In addition to the disciplinary actions available for the first offense, a parent/guardian contact will be initiated. 

 

Subsequent Offenses: Subsequent infractions of the policy shall be considered a Category 3 Offense as outlined in the Susquehanna Township Board of Education Code of Student Conduct (Policy #5010 Revised), subject to the consequences outlined therein, including up to an out-of-school suspension.

Delegation of Responsibility

 

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that all rules implementing this policy impose only necessary restrictions on the exercise of the students’ tastes and individualities. 

 

The building principals and staff shall be responsible to monitor student dress and grooming, and to enforce school rules governing student dress and grooming.

 

 

Approved by the School Board – April 26, 2010