FILE:  JCDB

STUDENT DRESS CODE

The policy of the Iberville Parish School Board shall be that no mode of attire shall be considered proper for school wear that disrupts the classroom and/or the school's positive learning environment.  The principal or designee shall exercise discretionary authority in the interpretation of the rules regarding the student dress code contained within this policy.  Anything else which necessitates judgment as to proper dress shall be the principal’s responsibility, based upon the included criteria and his/her judgment shall be based on assessing the negative impact of any given issue on the school’s learning environment.

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.

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.

MANDATORY SCHOOL UNIFORMS

The Iberville Parish School Board believes that mandatory school uniforms will provide a more secure school environment, promote an atmosphere for greater discipline, and increase learning opportunities for students by removing many of the distractions and connotations associated with various types of clothing.

Bottoms (For all students):

Khaki or black shorts (no shorts allowed at the alternative program), khaki or black long pants, Capris with normal waistline, jumper, skirts, or “skorts” (elementary school only – no “skorts” or skirts allowed in high school (including 6^th grade at MSA West) or in alternative program).  No yoga pants allowed.  If shorts or pants have belt loops, a belt must be worn.  Length of shorts and skirts shall be no shorter than two (2) inches above the knee.  Pants and shorts must have proper hem.

Tops:

Knit pullover style polo shirts with collar are required for all students.  School uniform colors are listed in the student handbook annually as approved by the School Board.  All shirts must be worn tucked in.

New and Transfer Students

Parents of new students, or students who transfer to other schools within the Parish, will be given two (2) weeks from the date of enrollment to obtain the required uniform for said school.

Pullovers of Any Kind (sweaters, sweatshirts; any garment which is pulled over the head which does not snap, button, or zip from top to bottom):

Pullovers must be the same solid color as the uniform shirt of the student.  Uniform shirt collar must be revealed over the pullover collar.  Pullovers must be v-neck or crew style; no hoods allowed.  Pullovers should have no inappropriate or distracting logos, designs, or insignia.

Coats:

Coats/jackets/sweater may be worn.  No hoods are allowed on any coats/jackets/sweaters.*

*Exception:  During inclement weather and cold temperatures, exceptions may be made.  In the event an exception is made, students will not be allowed to wear hoods indoors and students may be asked to unzip/unsnap/unbutton at times.

Shoes

Closed-toe shoes/sneakers or strap-on sandals are required.  No flip flops, clogs, barefoot sandals, slippers, crocs, or foamposite shoes of any kind.

Oversized/Extremely Tight Fitting or Sagging Uniforms

The wearing of uniforms which are oversized, or extremely tight fitting, or sagging is prohibited.  NO “cargo”/”painter”/”carpenter” pants are allowed.  The principal of each school will determine if this provision has been violated.  The material of which pants are made may NOT be of corduroy, denim, or knit.  All pants pockets must be in the inside and not exposed.  Pants must also be properly hemmed.

Additional Dress Code Regulations

• All pants must be properly worn.  Pants legs must be worn down and pants must be pulled up to the waist.  Pants must have proper hems.
  
  

• No joggers, yoga pants or pants with elastic bottoms
  
  

• No caps with political slogans, obscene pictures or writing, advertisements of drugs, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, or weapons.
  
  

• No knit caps, wave-caps, hats, or hoods on campus during regular school hours.
  
  

• No rollers, hairnets, or careless, extreme, or distracting hairstyles.
  
  

• No bandannas allowed.

Casual Dress Days

Casual dress days in which students are not required to wear uniforms are allowed at the discretion of the principal and approved by the Superintendent.  As determined by the principal/director, no inappropriate or distracting logos, designs, or insignia are permitted.

Hand Made Uniforms Permitted

Parents may obtain patterns for approved uniform style items and hand make such items.

Identification Badges

All students shall wear identification badges at all times; at school and on field trips.  Badges must be worn with picture showing.  Badges will be scanned to eat breakfast and lunch.  Students and staff will also have to use badges to check out material from the library.

DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS

Non-compliance with any dress and grooming regulations shall be addressed as outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and Discipline Policy.

A student enrolled in grades prekindergarten through five shall not be suspended or expelled from school or suspended from riding on any school bus for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.

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).

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 (5^th Cir. 1972)

Board minutes, 5-11-98, 9-14-98, 7-10-00, 3-12-01, 5-12-03, 7-11-05, 5-12-08, 12-13-10, 7-10-17, 5-13-19, 8-8-22, 6-10-24

Iberville Parish School Board