FILE:  JCDB

 

STUDENT DRESS CODE

 

 

The policy of the Acadia Parish School Board shall be that no mode of attire will be considered proper for school wear that disrupts the classroom and/or the school's positive learning environment.  In questions regarding student dress and grooming, the principal or his/her designee of each school shall make the final decision as to what is considered proper or improper dress according to the guidelines provided.

 

The School Board desires to teach each student to use good judgment in his/her total appearance so that the attention of others is not distracted from the purpose of the school.  Cleanliness and the values of the community shall be a basic consideration.

 

NOTIFICATION

 

The School Board shall notify the parent or guardian of each student of the dress code specifications and their effective date.  The dress code shall be distributed in written form or posted on the school’s website annually.

 

If the School Board modifies the existing uniform policy, it shall notify in writing the parent or guardian of each student of the policy adoption or uniform policy modification at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the new or revised policy.  Each school shall display any uniform selected for a reasonable period prior to the proposed effective date for wearing of the uniform.

 

However, nothing shall prohibit the School Board from requiring a new or revised dress code or uniform policy without the required notice in the event of an emergency.  For the purposes of this policy, emergency shall mean an actual or imminent threat to health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage.

 

DRESS AND PERSONAL GROOMING

 

Student dress and grooming are not to adversely affect the students' participation in classes, school programs, other school-related activities or detract from the learning environment of the school.  Extremes in style and fit in student dress and extremes in style of grooming will not be permitted.  Administrators are authorized to use their discretion in determining extremes in styles of dress and grooming and what is appropriate and suitable for school wear.  No student shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, blade, symbols, sign or other things which are evidence of affiliation with drugs, alcohol, violence or gang related activities or exhibits profane or obscene language/gestures.  Beards and goatees shall be prohibited.  Policies regarding dress and grooming stress the importance of reducing distractions that inhibit learning and are addressed as an attempt to enhance the learning environment.

 

The School Board shall not exclude a student on account of a natural, protective or cultural hairstyle.  Natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle shall include, but is not limited to, afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids, cornrow braids, Bantu knots, curls, and hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance.

 

BODY ARMOR

 

It shall be unlawful and against School Board policy for any student or non-student to wear or possess on his/her person, at any time, body armor on any School Board property, school campus, at a school-sponsored function, on a school bus or other school transportation, or in a firearm-free zone, with limited exceptions as enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95.9, which includes permitting a student to wear, carry, or possess a backpack on school property or a school bus that has bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.

 

School-sponsored functions shall include, but not be limited to, athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities.  A firearm-free zone means any area inclusive of any school campus and within 1,000 feet of any such school campus, and within a school bus, wherein the possession of firearms is prohibited, except as specifically set forth in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.2(C) and 14:95.6(B).

 

Body armor shall mean bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.

 

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

 

Students will wear khaki or parish-approved plaid pants, shorts, box-pleated skirts, A-line skirts, bib skirts, or jumpers.  Skorts may be worn, but because the skorts tend to run shorter than skirts, the 2" hem rule shall be strictly enforced.  Khaki denim shorts and pants are also acceptable.  Shirts/blouses are to be navy or the school color, polo (golf) shirts, either short or long sleeves, with two or three buttons and a collar.  Students in the alternative school shall wear only navy colored shirts.  Emblems/insignias, or monograms on shirts or sweaters are prohibited.

 

Uniforms shall be the classic, traditional style - no baggy or oversized clothes, no pockets on lower legs, etc.  Pants can have pleated or straight front.  All pants and shorts must have a front waistband and belt loops.  Shirts must be worn tucked into pants, shorts or skirts.  Students must wear either a black, blue, or brown belt.  The end of the belt shall not exceed the buckle by more than six inches (6").  PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS MAY WEAR PULL-ON PANTS, BUT THEY MUST HAVE A FRONT WAISTBAND.  Elastic will be allowed only on the back and/or sides of the pants.  Hems are to be no more than 2" above the knee when the student is kneeling.  Girls may wear shorts under their skirts as long as the shorts are not visible.  Tights that match the uniform may be worn with or without socks.  However, when tights are not worn, a student must wear crew length or longer socks.  Navy or school colored sweatshirts may be worn over polo shirts during cold weather.  Navy turtlenecks may be worn under polo, but polo cannot be taken off during the school day.  White undershirts ONLY may be worn under the polo.  Pullovers with zippers are considered outerwear.

 

Enforcement:

 

  1. Students who violate the uniform policy shall be subjected to the following consequences:

 

First day In-school suspension – for the remainder of the day
Second day  In-school suspension – for the remainder of the day
Third offense Out-of-school suspension
Fourth offense In-school suspension – for the remainder of the day
Fifth offense Out-of-school suspension
 

All offenses thereafter: out-of-school suspension until recommendation for expulsion.

 

Students who transfer into Acadia Parish shall be allowed two (2) weeks to purchase uniforms and comply with the policy.

 

Spirit Day shirts may be worn with approved pants/shorts/skirts on designated days set by the principal.  Special "dress up days" may be approved by the principal.  Students will have the option of "dressing up" or wearing their uniforms.

 

Revised:  June, 2008 Revised:  March 7, 2016
Revised:  February 2, 2009 Revised:  September 10, 2018
Revised:  September 13, 2010 Revised:  September 12, 2022

 

 

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.2, 14:95.6, 14:95.9, 17:81, 17:111, 17:416, 17:416.7

Scott v. Board of Education, 304 N.Y.S.S. 2d 601 (1969)

Karr v. Schmidt, 460 F. 2d 609 (5th Cir. 1972)

Board minutes, 11-1-83, 1-5-98, 4-14-98, 5-3-99, 8-2-99, 6-5-00, 2-11-08, 2-2-09, 9-13-10, 3-7-16, 9-10-18, 9-12-22

 

Acadia Parish School Board