LITTLETON  HIGH  SCHOOL  AND  DAISY  BRONSON  MIDDLE  SCHOOL    DRESS  CODE  POLICY   UNDERLYING  PHILOSOPHY     Having   a   Dress   Code   at   school   may   seem   straightforward   at   first   glance,   but   in   fact   there   are   hidden   complexities   involved.     So   as   to   avoid   misunderstandings   as   well   as   unintended   consequences,   we   wish   to   make  our  purposes  clear  to  students,  parents,  staff,  and  the  general  community  with  regard  to  why  we  have  a   Dress  Code  at  all.    What  are  we  attempting  to  achieve  with  it?    And,  just  as  important,  how  can  we  avoid  some   of  the  potential  pitfalls  inherent  in  its  application?   What  is  the  basic  function  of  the  Dress  Code?   The   Dress   Code   is   intended,   first   and   foremost,   as   part   of   students’   general   education.   It   is   essentially   a   teaching   and   learning   device.     Like   all   other   aspects   of   the   educational   program,   its   main   purpose   is   the   immediate   and   long-­‐term   benefit   of   students.   How   it   is   presented,   discussed,   questioned,   and   maintained   should  all  have  that  purpose  in  mind.       What  role  does  the  Dress  Code  have  in  education?   We  see  the  Dress  Code  as  one  part  of  the  socializing  function  of  education.    We  want  students  to  recognize   the   social   customs   pertaining   to   dress   and   understand   their   effects,   to   learn   the   difference   between   being   dressed   for   the   public   sphere   as   opposed   to   the   private   one.     As   an   aspect   of   social   life,   dress   conveys   an   impression  of  who  we  are  and  can  even  influence  our  own  behavior.    While  it  is  an  excellent  and  creative  way   to  express  personality  and  individuality,  that  is  not  all  that  gets  communicated  through  it.    Young  people  ought   to  be  aware  of  all  this  so  they  can  be  conscious  and  deliberate  in  their  choice  of  dress  at  different  times.     We   also  expect  students  to  learn  that  living  in  society  requires  compromise  and  a  need  to  manage  the  constant   tension  between  our  personal  liberties  and  the  social  conventions.    In  addition,  we  want  students  to  learn  self-­‐ discipline  and,  as  necessary,  appropriate  and  constructive  ways  of  challenging  rules  they  may  not  understand   or  agree  with.   What  do  we  wish  to  convey  with  the  Dress  Code?     School  is  a  public  place  where  important  things  are  going  on,  and  we  want  all  aspects  of  student  behavior  to   reflect  that.    We  wish  to  engender  in  students  a  sense  of  respect  and  seriousness  for  the  process  of  learning,   for  the  institution  dedicated  to  it,  for  themselves  and  others  attending,  and  for  the  people  who  support  and   guide   them   through   it.   We   think   that   requiring   a   mode   of   dress   appropriate   to   these   conditions   is   one   important  way  to  reinforce  them.    The  detailed  listing  below  of  clothing  items  not  permitted  should  convey   the  degree  of  decorum  expected  at  school.    We  are  aiming  for  casual  without  being  careless  on  the  one  hand,   respectable  without  being  formal  on  the  other.   Guidelines  for  Implementation   The  day-­‐to-­‐day  monitoring  of  the  Dress  Code  will  recognize  the  personal  nature  of  a  student’s  choice  of  dress.     There  are  politics  as  well  as  personal  sensitivities  involved,  and  we  intend  to  be  careful  about  the  messages  we   send  when  enforcing  infractions.    As  part  of  the   Dress  Code  policy,  guidelines  by  which  it  will  be  implemented   include  the  following:     • Students  will  not  be  singled  out  publicly  or  otherwise  embarrassed;   • Girls  will  not  be  made  responsible  for  boys’  reactions  to  them  (i.e.,  revealing  clothing  is  not  permitted   because  it  doesn’t  meet  the  standard  of  decorum  required,  not  because  it  is  a  distraction);   • Power  struggles  will  be  avoided;   • Explanations  will  be  made  with  patience  and  through  dialogue.    

 

LITTLETON  HIGH  SCHOOL/DAISY  BRONSON  MIDDLE  SCHOOL   DRESS  CODE  POLICY          REVISED  JANUARY  2015     We,  at  Littleton  High  School  and  Daisy  Bronson  Middle  School,  respect  the  right  of  the  individual  in  the  areas   of   personal   appearance.   Guidelines   for   school   attire   are   designed   to   preserve   the   learning   climate   and   opportunities  through  acceptable  standards  of  dress.  These  guidelines  address  respect  for  individual  student   rights   of   dress   and   grooming   choices   which   allow   for   change   in   customs,   styles   and   fashion   and   maintain   a   climate  conducive  to  teaching  and  learning.     Appropriate  attire  is  required  of  all  students  during  each  school  day  and  at  all  school  functions.  Appropriate   attire  is  defined  as  clean  clothing  that  is  free  of  holes  or  tears,  that  appropriately  covers  the  body  –  and  that   helps   maintain   a   healthy   and   safe   environment   in   school.   Further,   expecting   students   to   practice   good   personal  hygiene  is  part  of  the  school  dress  code.     It   is   the   responsibility   of   the   student   and   parent   that   the   student   complies   with   all   guidelines   of   this   dress   code:     1. Clothing,  jewelry,  tattoos,  or  accessories,  which  through  word  or  design,  display  the  following  are  not   permitted:   • Use  of  alcoholic  beverages,  tobacco,  or  other  drugs   • Sexual  references  and/or  language   • Intolerance  or  lack  of  respect  to  others  on  the  basis  of  gender,  race,  religion,  ethnicity,  social,                  sexual  preference,  disability,  or  economic  background  are  inappropriate  and  prohibited.    All  tattoos                  which  are  not  in  compliance  with  the  above-­‐stated  guidelines  must  be  covered.     2. Clothing  the  exposes  the  chest,  abdomen,  midriff,  under  garment,  including  but  not  limited  to  the   following  is  not  permitted:   • Spaghetti  straps   • Tube  tops   • Backless  tops   •  Halter  tops   •  Muscle-­‐type  tops  (basketball  jerseys,  sleeveless  undershirt  without  a  garment  underneath   •  Pants  or  shorts  not  cinched  at  the  top  of  the  hips   •  Exposed  undergarments   •      Lingerie  or  pajamas  worn  as  outer  garments   • Shorts  or  skirts  with  slits  which  do  not  meet  the  photo  illustration   •  Fabrics  that  are  see-­‐through  or  transparent   •  Tight  lycra,  spandex,  or  similar  material  which  does  not  meet    the  photo  illustration          

 

LITTLETON  HIGH  SCHOOL/DAISY  BRONSON  MIDDLE  SCHOOL   DRESS  CODE  POLICY          REVISED  JANUARY  2015   (CONTINUED)   3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9.

  Sunglasses/colored  glasses  are  prohibited  unless  prescribed  or  authorized  by  a  physician   Head  coverings  (including  hats,  head  stockings,  bandanas,  sweatshirt  hoods,  or  sweatbands)  shall  not   be  worn  in  school  except  for  religious,  cultural,  or  medical  purposes   Footwear,  which  is  described  in  the  clothing  illustration,  must  be  worn   Safety/protective  clothing  and  footwear,  as  well  as  athletic  and  gym  clothing  and  sneakers,  shall  be   worn  as  required  by  the  subject  teacher  or  organization  adviser  while  students  are  participating  in   specialized  activities   Students  shall  not  wear  accessories  or  clothing  that  could  pose  a  potential  danger  to  themselves,   others,  and  /or  property.    This  includes  heavy  chains,  spiked  bracelets,  and/or  other  items  of  dress.   Tears  or  holes,  which  are  described  in  the  clothing  illustration,  must  not  be  worn.   Outside  winter  jackets,  such  as  parkas,  down  vests,  and  trench  coats  are  not  to  be  worn  in  the   classroom.    All  of  these  items  must  be  left  in  the  student’s  locker.  

  During  daily  1st  block  attendance  procedures,  staff  will  check  for  any  potential  violations  of  the  student  dress   code.    If,  in  the  opinion  of  a  staff  member,  a  student  may  be  in  violation  of  the  dress  code,  then  he/she  will   contact  the  principal’s  office.    The  Principal  shall  have  the  final  word  on  whether  or  not  the  student  meets  the   dress  code.     Violations  of  the  dress  code  may  invoke  the  following:     1st   Offense:     Student   receives   a   warning   and   is   given   the   opportunity   to   correct   the   violation.   This   would   include:  turning  the  clothing  inside  out,  changing  the  clothing,  or  calling  a  parent/guardian  to  come  into  school   to   bring   in   appropriate   clothing.   If   the   student   cannot   correct   the   violation,   the   school   will   provide   alternative   clothing.   If   the   student   will   not   correct   the   violation   at   the   request   of   the   Principal   or   Principal’s   Designee,   he/she  will  be  assigned  to  the  “Student  Support  Center”  for  the  remainder  of  the  day.     2nd  Offense:    Student  is  given  the  opportunity  to  correct  the  violation.  This  would  include:  turning  the  clothing   inside   out,   changing   the   clothing,   or   calling   a   parent/guardian   to   come   into   school   to   bring   in   appropriate   clothing.  If  the  student  cannot  correct  the  violation,  the  school  will  provide  alternative  clothing.    If  the  student   will   not   correct   the   violation   at   the   request   of   the   Principal   or   Principal’s   Designee,   he/she   will   be   assigned   to   Administrative  Detention.  The  administration  will  contact  the  parent/guardian  regarding  this  matter.       3rd  Offense:    Student  is  given  the  opportunity  to  correct  the  violation.  This  would  include:  turning  the  clothing   inside   out,   changing   the   clothing,   or   calling   a   parent/guardian   to   come   into   school   to   bring   in   appropriate   clothing.  If  the  student  cannot  correct  the  violation,  the  school  will  provide  alternative  clothing.    If  the  student   will   not   correct   the   violation   at   the   request   of   the   Principal   or   Principal’s   Designee,   he/she   will   be   assigned   to   The  Student  Support  Center.  Parents/Guardians  will  be  contacted  and  a  meeting  will  be  scheduled  with  the   administration.  

LITTLETON HIGH SCHOOL AND DAISY BRONSON MIDDLE SCHOOL DRESS CODE FEMALES DRESS CODE REVISION POLICY

APPROPRIATE

NOT APPROPRIATE

MALES APPROPRIATE

NOT APPROPRIATE

Yoga pants, spandex, and leggings may be worn only under a shirt that extends below the hips. Sandals with a sturdy sole may be worn, although flips flops of any kind are not acceptable. Ragged or tattered clothing that is purchased with rips and tattered material will not be permitted. No tape shall be used to cover clothing. Bandanas can be worn if they are used to keep your hair pulled back such as a headband, but never as a hat, etc. Exceptions to these rules may be granted for special events approved in advance by the Principal or the designee of the principal. The Principal or the principal’s designee shall be the final authority on all judgments and rulings pertaining to dress code.

*Card is to be used in this direction for shoulders →

*Card to bed used will measure from the collarbone to the top of the garment in this direction

↓

3” above the knee

FEMALES

MALES

DRESS CODE REVISION POLICY

APPROPRIATE

NOT APPROPRIATE

APPROPRIATE

NOT APPROPRIATE

Other styles or types of clothing or makeup not mentioned may be deemed too inappropriate. The Principal or the principal’s designee will ultimately determine the appropriateness of a student’s appearance.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE: If a student violates the dress code, he/she will be asked to turn shirts inside out, change, or call a parent/guardian for a change of clothes.

Card is to be used in this direction; only one card length of skin should be exposed. ↓

*NOTE: The card referred to in the above chart measures 3 ¼” x 2” (Debit Card, Credit Card or Driver’s License)