PUSD Dress Code

 

PUSD Board Policy 5132 - School is the place where the best possible educational environment must be created and maintained. Appropriate dress and grooming are necessary in order to maintain order, provide a safe school environment, and promote positive behavior. The Board of Trustees encourages students to dress appropriately for school. The board believes that students should be neatly and cleanly dressed. Dress or grooming that draws undue attention or detracts from the educational process is unacceptable.

 

The district believes that all students should wear clothing to school that fits well, is clean and neat, reflects pride in oneself, is conducive to the learning process and demonstrates respect for the school. IT is the mission of the school district to not only provide academic education, but also to provide education in morals, manners, dress and grooming because these are the elements of good citizenship. Research has shown that students dress and appearance affect student attitudes and conduct. These guidelines are intended to define appropriate student attire and personal grooming. Their purpose is to prevent disruption of the classroom atmosphere, enhance classroom decorum, and eliminate disturbances among other students so as not to interfere with the educational process. It is also intended to help protect the health and welfare of individual students. 

 

Students and parents/guardians shall be informed about dress and grooming standards at the beginning of the school year and whenever these standards are revised. A student who violates these standards may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

1. Students must dress safely. For example, shoes must be worn at all times at school or during school activities.

 

2. Students must dress appropriately for educational activities in which they will participate so as not to endanger their health, safety, or welfare.

3. Clothing, tattoos, and jewelry shall be free of writing, pictures, or any other insignia, which are crude, vulgar, profane, obscene, libelous, or sexually suggestive. Clothing or jewelry that advocates racial, ethnic, or  religious prejudice, or other unlawful acts, or the use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol is prohibited (for example, no "Cookies" brand clothing may be worn).

 

4. Dark glasses shall not be worn in classrooms or offices unless a documented health-related problem exists.

5. Clothes shall be clean so as not to promote unhealthy or unsanitary conditions.

 

6. Undergarments should be covered at all times.

 

7. There shall be no bare midriffs; tube tops, halter tops, tank tops, etc. shall not be permitted. Blouses or shirts shall have a minimum 1-inch-wide strap over both shoulders and be long enough to cover the midriff area at all times. Dresses, skirts and shorts shall be at least mid-thigh length (to fingertips when arms are extended to one's side). Underwear-type sleeveless shirts,see-through or fishnet fabrics, or other attire, which exposes the body in a sexually suggestive manner, shall not be permitted. 

 

8. Hats or other head coverings, by nature of their color, arrangement, trademark or any other attribute, may denote membership in gangs or advocate racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice, drug use, violence, intimidation, or disruptive behavior. Because of this, hat restrictions are as follows:

 

    a. Hats and caps shall not be worn or displayed unless a documented, health-related problem exists.

    b. Hats may be worn outside only and solely for the purpose of sun protection. Hats must made of 

        pliable canvas material with a 3-5 inch brim around the entire circumference of the hat. They may 

        not sport an insignia, other than the school insignia. 

    c. During inclement winter weather, the following head coverings may be allowed, with the principals'

        permission, only when the student is outside: hoods on sweatshirts or jackets.

    d. Hats may never be worn indoors or on buses, vans, etc. during the normal school day and must be

        stored when not being worn.

    e. Bandannas, hairnets, or other head coverings shall not be permitted.

9. Clothing shall be fitted and worn as its design was traditionally intended 

    a. Pants, shorts, skirts and overalls shall be worn with the waistline around the wearer's waist. Waist

        is defined as the area at or above the top of the hips. 

    b. Pants, shorts, and overalls shall be considered too baggy when the two pant-side seams of an 

        individual pant leg are brought to the front of the mid-thigh and the seams touch. 

    c. Overall straps shall be fastened. 

 

10. Earrings and other body piercing items are to be worn in ears only.

11. Hair shall be clean and neatly groomed. Haircuts or hairstyles that draw undue attention to the wearer or detracts from the educational process shall not be acceptable.

 

12. Attire that may be used as a weapon may not be worn (e.g., steel-toed boots, chains, items with spikes or studs, etc.).

13. Pupils shall not display any material or paraphernalia which incites a disruption of the school process or creates a clear and present danger of either the commission of unlawful acts on school premises or the violation of district or school-site policies or rules.

14. Gang-related apparel or paraphernalia, including symbols, emblems, insignia, or other gang identifiers, may not be worn or displayed. This rule prohibits the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, notebook, or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, or other attribute, denotes membership in or affiliation with gangs. In case of doubt as to whether an item is gang related, the principal or designee will consult with local law enforcement or other school personnel with expertise in gangs activity. Such items shall be confiscated and turned over to the local law enforcement agencies for appropriate action. Confiscated items will not be returned to the student. Parents may request return of items from the appropriate agency. Items will be kept for one month and then soon thereafter will be discarded. For example, clothing with red or blue stars, red or blue shoelaces, or "Cali" may not be worn.

15. Any apparel, hairstyle, cosmetic, accessory, or jewelry, even if not specifically mentioned above, that creates a safety or health concern, draws undue attention to the wearer, or tends to detract from the educational process, shall be prohibited.