502.1 STUDENT APPEARANCE
502.1 STUDENT APPEARANCEThe board believes inappropriate student appearance causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors.
Students are expected to adhere to standards of cleanliness and dress that are compatible with the requirements of a good learning environment. The standards will be those generally acceptable to the community as appropriate in a school setting.
The board expects students to be clean and well-groomed and wear clothes in good repair and appropriate for the time, place and occasion. Clothing or other apparel promoting products illegal for use by minors and clothing displaying obscene material, profanity, or reference to prohibited conduct, including hidden or double meanings are disallowed. While the primary responsibility for appearance lies with the students and their parents, appearance disruptive to the education program will not be tolerated. When, in the judgment of a principal, or teacher/staff member, a student's appearance or mode of dress disrupts the educational process or constitutes a threat to health or safety, the student may be required to make modifications.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).
Bethal School District v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986).
Tinker v. Des Moines Ind. Comm. Sch. Dist., 393 U.S. 503 (1969).
Bystrom v. Fridley High School, 822 F.2d 747 (8th Cir. 1987).
Torvik v. Decorah Community School, 453 F.2d 779 (8th Cir. 1972).
Turley v. Adel Community School District, 322 F.Supp. 402 (S.D. Iowa 1971).
Sims v. Colfax Comm. School Dist., 307 F.Supp. 485 (Iowa 1970).
Iowa Code § 279.8 (1999).
Cross Reference: 500 Objectives for Equal Educational Opportunities for Students
502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
Approved 10/17/95 Reviewed 11/21/23 Revised 12/15/21
502.1R1 STUDENT APPEARANCE
502.1R1 STUDENT APPEARANCE
A student's attire and appearance becomes the concern of school officials if and when that attire tends to disrupt the study within a class. If, in the opinion of the principal, or teacher/staff member, a student's attire and appearance detracts from attention to school work, the student will be counseled to appear at school in the future in more appropriate attire and may be required to change to a more appropriate dress before going back to class.
School officials recognize the "fashion" of the times and therefore no rigid code is indicated. However, past experience indicates that the following guidelines are in order.
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Students must wear some kind of reasonable footwear; appropriate to the activity or season.
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The wearing of clothing bearing profane language or with pornographic overtones or sexual innuendo is prohibited. Shirts, t-shirts, and sweatshirts with inappropriate slang, hidden or double meanings, slogans, or with advertisements are not acceptable school attire. Also, clothing that promotes the use of substances or activities that are illegal for minors to use or participate in is prohibited.
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Halter tops, tank tops (both boys and girls), and tube tops are unsuitable attire. Any article of clothing that exposes a bare midriff is also unsuitable.
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Because of the danger involved in the operation of industrial arts equipment, students with long hair may be required to wear hair nets while operating that equipment. Students may also be required to wear protective goggles and other appropriate protective devices in laboratory classes. Students in these classes will be expected to adhere to other requirements as directed by the teachers involved.
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Any style of dress or article of clothing, which interferes with or disrupts the maintenance of a learning atmosphere, is unacceptable.
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Hats or caps are unsuitable school attire unless necessary for a specific class or activity; when required for a class activity, they must be worn only during the time that the activity takes place.
Approved 8/18/97 Reviewed 11/21/23 Revised 12/15/21