FILE:  JCDB

STUDENT DRESS CODE

The policy of the Iberia 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 all questions regarding dress and grooming, the school administration has the prerogative of deciding whether a student’s appearance is disruptive to the learning process, or so offensive or suggestive as to distract other students.  Such appearances shall not be allowed.

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.  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.

UNIFORMS AND OTHER DRESS CODE GUIDELINES

The restrictiveness of these guidelines are intended to establish minimum standards required to comply with the dress code established herein.  The principal/administrator has the discretionary power to prohibit certain dress or appearance, even though not specifically enumerated herein, to maintain the school learning environment.

Shirts:

• White, navy blue, hunter green, red, or gray short sleeved or long-sleeved polo “golf” style shirts.

• School-issued polo style shirts with the school logo are permitted as a uniform option.

• The polo shirt must have 2 or 3 buttons and a collar.

• Shirts must be tucked in at all times, unless otherwise determined by the school administration.

• There can be no brand name emblems on the shirts.

• Undershirts, including turtlenecks, may be worn under all uniform shirts.  They must be free of all emblems and writings and be a uniform shirt color or black.

Pants, Skirts, Walking Shorts, Skorts, Capris:

• Students will wear khaki, navy blue or black pants, capris pants, shorts, skirts or skorts, dresses/jumpers.

• Pants may be pleated or straight fronts.

• Tight-fitting pants are not allowed.

• Blue or khaki (denim material) jeans are not allowed.

• Pants with holes, fraying, or exaggerated size, (not to exceed twenty-two inches (22”) circumference at the bottom with no slits) are not allowed.

• Waistbands on the pants must cover the top of the hipbone.   Sagging” is not allowed.

• Brand name emblems on pants may not exceed 1” x 2” in size.

• Skirts, walking shorts, shorts, skorts, capris, dresses/jumpers shall have hemlines that do not exceed five inches (5”) from the floor while kneeling.

Belts:

• Belts must be worn with pants that have belt loops.

• Decorative metal studs on belts are not allowed.

• Large oversized belt buckles are not allowed.

• Dimensions of belt buckle must not exceed one and one-half inches (1½”) in length and width.

Sweatshirts/Jackets:

• Any uniform color or black jacket, sweatshirt or sweater pullovers may be worn.  They can have a small unobtrusive logo.

• Denim (blue jean) jackets are allowed.

• School issued items (jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts) may be worn.

• Sweatshirts and jackets must be approved by school administration.

• Non-uniform outerwear garments, if worn to school, shall not be worn inside the building.

• Hoods on outer garments and sweatshirts are allowed only outdoors.

Shoes-Socks:

• Shoes must have complete front and back.

• Athletic/tennis shoes are highly recommended.

• Other examples of acceptable shoes are loafers, Top-siders, Mary Janes with a strap.

• The following shoes are not allowed – flip-flops, thongs, sandals, crocs, boots, ballet shoes, and slippers.

• Shoes with laces or Velcro must be kept tied or fastened.

• Shoes with roller blades, lights, or extraordinary features are not allowed.

• Socks shall be worn.  Sock colors should not be distracting or obstructive.

• Tights that match the uniform may be worn without socks.

Hair:

• Hair should be clean and groomed so that vision is not obstructed.

• Hair rollers, feathers, *unnatural hair colors, letters/designs shaved or woven into the head/eyebrows, or other extremes in hair styles are not allowed.  (*Unnatural is defined as not naturally occurring on people.)

Facial Hair:

• Facial hair for high school students should be neatly groomed and trimmed.

Jewelry:

• Must not be excessive.

• Nose rings/studs, body piercing with jewelry, tongue studs, eyebrow rings, gauges, etc. are not allowed.

• Stud earrings worn by students are limited to the ear.

• Only school identification badges (IDs) shall be worn on the outside of the school shirts.

Body Decorations

• Tattoos must not be visible with the school uniform.

• Artificial nails shall not be worn in grades Pre-K-6.

DURING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

The Iberia Parish School Board will adhere to Bulletin 741 – Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators during any publicly declared emergency regarding protective measures to be followed concerning any publicly declared pandemic/epidemic.  This includes and is not limited to mandatory mask requirements, quarantine, limited occupational space requirements, contact reporting, etc.

In the event mask coverings are required, they must not contain wording, emblems and/or insignias that suggest/promote profanity, obscenity, drug/alcohol/tobacco use, political speech, gang, or hate-related slogans.  Also, masks/coverings cannot contain images of faces.  Bandanas may not be used.  However, neck gaiters that comply with the aforementioned guidelines are allowed.  The principal/administrator has the discretionary power to determine the appropriateness of face masks/coverings to ensure the safety of the school learning environment.

Failure to comply with public health emergency dress code guidelines as set forth by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is considered a violation of the Iberia Parish School Board uniform policy, which will result in parental contact by the school.  Further non-compliance may result in one or all of the following:  in-school suspension, out of school suspension, or removal from participation in the in-school model of instruction.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

• Sunglasses, gloves, hats, caps, scarves, or any other type of head-gear (i.e. bandannas, bonnets, etc.) cannot be worn in any of the buildings at any time.

• Spirit Day shirts may be worn with approved pants, skirts, shorts, skorts, on designated days as determined by the principal.

DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES FOR NON-C0MPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY

The principal/administrator has the discretionary power to prohibit certain dress or appearance, even though not specifically enumerated herein, to maintain the school learning environment.  Students who violate the student dress code policy shall be disciplined according to the school’s PBIS plan.

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, 2-16-76, 1-6-99, 2-00, 4-18-12, 8-15-18, 11-14-18, 8-5-20, 2-2-22, 8-17-22

Iberia Parish School Board