FILE:  JCDB

Cf:  JD

STUDENT DRESS CODE

The policy of the East Feliciana 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.  In questions regarding student dress and grooming, the principal or his/her designee of each school shall make the final decision as to what is considered proper or improper dress according to the guidelines provided.

The School Board desires to teach each student to use good judgment in his/her total appearance so that the attention of others is not distracted from the purpose of the school.  Cleanliness and the values of the community shall be a basic consideration.

The East Feliciana Parish School Board shall provide equal education opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, mental and/or physical challenge, or veteran status in its educational programs or activities.  Inquiries concerning application of this policy may be referred to the appropriate personnel as outlined in "Policy Notification" statement which is to be posted in all School Board owned facilities and shall be distributed and in-serviced to all employees, students and parents/guardians prior to and/or during the opening of schools and shall be published in all handbooks (student, etc.) and other instances/documents requiring such notification.

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.

The East Feliciana Parish School Board shall require each student to abide by the uniform standards and other student dress guidelines as contained in the Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct.

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 shall 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 exhibit profane or obscene language/gestures.  Policies regarding dress and grooming stress the importance of reducing distractions that inhibit learning and are addressed as an attempt to enhance the learning environment.

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.

The School Board is permitted by state law to adopt dress codes mandating the use of uniforms.  Selections of articles of uniform clothing are in the sections addressing each of the school levels.

NOTE:  The administration of each school maintains the right to determine extremes in style or any attire deemed inappropriate.

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.

Body armor shall mean bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.

VIOLATIONS

Students who violate the dress code shall be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

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.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.9, 17:111, 17:239, 17:416, 17:416.7

Scott v. Board of Education, 304 N.Y.S. 2d 601 (1969)

Karr v. Schmidt, 460 F.2d 609 (5th Cir. 1972)

Board minutes, 10-3-78, 8-1-95, 8-4-98,  11-7-00, 10-1-02, 12-2-03, 5-4-04, 7-3-07, 8-5-08, 3-3-09, 6-1-10, 9-7-10, 11-2-10, 7-2-13, 4-1-14, 9-1-15, 6-6-17, 6-8-21, 8-9-22

East Feliciana Parish School Board