Monday, September 22, 2014

SCHOOL DRESS CODE CHANGE TO BE CONSIDERED TONIGHT

Lost in all of the Columbia High School teacher arrest news is a proposed revision to the school district dress code that adds a new provision requiring it to be equally enforced for both males and females and that the same such code be utilized for all district schools.

The current dress code, which had some South Orange Middle School girls sent home for wearing short shorts to change, had drawn fire as being too restrictive and sexist.

See the proposed revisions below. The older version is in red, the new proposal to replace it is in green.

The school board will review the proposal at tonight's meeting, 7:30 p.m.

5511  DRESS AND GROOMING 


The Board of Education recognizes that each pupil's mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of the pupil's personal style and individual preferences.  The Board will impose its judgment on pupils and parents or legal guardians only when a pupil's dress and grooming affect the educational program of the schools. 

Pupils may not wear clothing or engage in grooming practices that present a health or safety hazard to the individual pupil or to others; materially interfere with school work, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program; cause excessive wear or damage to school property; or prevent the pupil from achieving his or her own educational objectives because of blocked vision or restricted movement. 

The Board of Education prohibits pupils from wearing, while on school property, any type of clothing, apparel or accessory which indicates that the pupil has membership in, or affiliation with, any gang associated with criminal activities.  The local law enforcement agency will advise the Board, upon request, of gangs which are associated with criminal activities. 

The building principal shall determine whether the dress or grooming of pupils comes within these prohibitions. 

Staff members shall demonstrate by example and precept wholesome attitudes toward neatness, cleanliness, propriety, modesty, and good sense in attire and appearance. 

The Superintendent shall, on consultation with staff members, pupils, and parents or legal guardians, prepare a dress code that imposes only minimum and necessary limitations on a pupil's taste and individuality.  

The Superintendent shall, after consultation with staff members, pupils, and parents or legal guardians, prepare a dress code that imposes only minimal and necessary limitations on a pupil’s taste and individuality, and which will be prepared consistent with applicable laws and Code of Conduct (Policy Number 5600).  Enforcement of the dress code will be done without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical characteristics, or disability.

Interpretation and expansion of the dress code at the school level shall be overseen by the
Superintendent consistent with all relevant Board Policies, and will be done with collaboration and communication between staff members, students, and parents or legal guardians.  Interpretation and expansion shall be consistent across schools serving the same grade levels.

Initial Adoption:         April 2, 2001
First Reading:            September 22, 2014 March 12, 2001 
Second Reading:        March 19, 2001  
AdoptedLatest Adoption:                 April 2, 2001 

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