As the Douglas County School System strives to prepare students for the future, one of the issues that generates much discussion is appropriate dress for students. The student dress code is designed to ensure that students are appropriately dressed for school and that clothing, hair, make-up and jewelry does not distract from the educational environment or pose a safety concern for others. The Douglas County School System expects every student to dress and be groomed in accordance with acceptable community standards of cleanliness, good taste and appropriateness. Many fads and fashions may be worn in other environments but are not appropriate for school.

Below are the dress codes for elementary and middle/high school students. The school administration reserves the right to determine if a student's dress is too casual, too revealing, or too distracting from the learning environment to be considered appropriate for school. The health and safety of all students will be taken into consideration when making decisions regarding appropriate/inappropriate attire. The school administration has the final say in what is appropriate and inappropriate for school wear.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DRESS CODE
Every student enrolled in the Douglas County School System is expected to observe a standard of grooming and dress consistent with the level of formality of the school setting. Certain items of dress are not considered appropriate and therefore, are not acceptable, and could result in a child having to call parents at home or work to bring more appropriate clothing. Examples include (but are not limited to) the following:  hats, visors, hoods pulled up, sweatbands, skull caps, bandanas or other head garments including non-prescription sunglasses worn inside the building; beach or shower shoes, bare feet, flip flops, rubber and/or metal cleats; shoes with any type of wheels or other rolling apparatus; clothing that shows the bare midriff, bare back or the bare shoulders; tank tops (shoulders must be covered; arm holes tight fitting) are permitted only for students in K, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grades; tank tops are not permitted in 4^th and 5^th grades; see-through or mesh clothing unless worn over other apparel; clothing or articles advertising or displaying the insignia of drugs, tobacco, or alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited; clothing with profane or obscene language or symbols displayed, or clothing which promotes violence; gang related appearance, clothing or objects are prohibited; all pants which are not worn at the waist; heavy coats or raincoats inside buildings and classrooms; heavy chains or dog collars around the waist or neck, or attached to a wallet; shorts, dresses and skirts that are too tight, too short, (five inches from the top of the kneecap) or not worn at the waist are not permitted; pajamas, bedroom shoes or other sleepwear; and holes or patches above the knee.

Good taste and good judgment should be used by parents and students alike in the selection of school dress.  Many "fads" in dress are not appropriate.

The school administration reserves the right to determine if certain other items are too casual, too revealing or too distracting from the learning environment to be considered appropriate for school. The health and safety of all students will be taken into consideration when making decisions regarding appropriate/inappropriate attire, including the tucking of shirts.

Some exceptions to these guidelines may be made for special activity days such as field days and character costume days as determined by the school principal. Special accommodations may also be made for health reasons. Total days for exceptional dress must be limited to no more than 5% of the student calendar (9 days) due to impact on the learning environment. Exceptions should be announced to students and parents well ahead of the date. Clear explanations of what will and will not be allowed must be included in the announcements.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL DRESS CODE 
Pants and shorts-length must be appropriate; size appropriate-waist, seat and inseam; must be hemmed or cuffed; and cannot be altered from their original form. Appropriate wear would be khakis, jeans, warm-ups and shorts (three inches from the top of the kneecap as measured by a 3x5 index card).

Skirts and dresses-Skirts must be size appropriate and be worn at the waistline; dresses must have sleeves; slits in skirts must be appropriate (no slit above the three inch rule); and cannot be altered from their original form; dresses must have sleeves; skirts over leggings must meet the three inch rule.

Shirts and blouses-Must be size appropriate; long or short sleeved, dress shirt, polo type, (no sleeveless, no tank tops, no halter tops, no spaghetti straps); T-shirts, or sweatshirts must have no writing, pictures, or graphics that unreasonably attract the attention of other students or cause disruption or interference with the operation of the school (e.g., vulgarity, sexual innuendo); shirttails must be below the belt line even with arms raised above the head or when the student is seated; for males shirttails must be tucked in; and cannot be altered from their original form.  Appropriate wear would be polo shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts. 

Shoes-All students must wear appropriate shoes (examples: dress, tennis, sandals, clogs); rubber and/or metal cleats are not allowed in school or on buses. 

Undergarments-Appropriate undergarments must be worn at all times; undergarments of any type must not be exposed. 

Accessories-Belts are optional and are to be proper length tucked into belt loops; belts may be required for students having difficulty with wearing pants at the waist.

NOT APPROVED FOR SCHOOL WEAR AT THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL:
Unnatural colored hair; or any hairstyle which causes a distraction to the learning environment; pants that touch the ground or floor; wide legged pants, skin-tight pants; form-fitting clothing; holes above the knee; pants, dresses, skirts, shorts, and shirts that have frayed ends; see-through clothing; deep-scooped necklines; clothing that shows the bare midriff, bare back or bare shoulders; bare feet; pajamas, bedroom shoes, or other sleepwear; articles of clothing which advertise or display the symbols of drugs, tobacco products or alcoholic beverages; clothing which displays, or implies profane, obscene, vulgar, or racially offensive language or symbols; emblems, insignias, badges, tattoos or other symbols where the effect thereof is to unreasonably attract the attention of other students or cause disruption or interference with the operation of the school; hats, sunglasses and caps, visors, sweatbands, skull caps, do rags, hooded sweatshirts and jackets with the hoods pulled up, headbands and bandanas, etc. are not to be worn in the school building (all hats and caps shall be properly stored during the school day); chains hanging from wallets or clothing; dog collars or electronic belt buckles; exposure of undergarments of any type; visible piercing type jewelry or paraphernalia (other than the ears) including tongue piercing is not allowed; display or wearing of any gang articles, paraphernalia or clothing that can be construed as being gang related (e.g., bandanas, sweatbands, head rags, etc.); jewelry that is offensive; distracts or is studded or pointed, including "grills" and heavy chains; handwriting on clothing or body; clothing worn in a manner inconsistent with the intended design (ex.: exposure of clothing designed and sold as undergarments, rolled up pants legs, bandanas used as belts, etc.); shoes with any type of wheels or other rolling apparatus.

Exceptions: Uniforms for school related activities are acceptable if approved by school administrators. Female cheerleaders must wear warm-ups under cheerleading uniforms except during games and pep rallies. School administrators may alter the dress code for special occasions or extracurricular activities. Parents of students who require an exemption from the dress code for religious, cultural, or short-term medical reasons may make application to the principal.

These guidelines were developed to give parents and students a clear understanding of what is expected in the school setting. If you have questions, please contact the principal of your child's school.