Dress Code

Dress Code

The School Board of the City of Norfolk adopted a dress code September 2002. The dress code regulations were revised August 2003. This information is included in the Student Code of Conduct.

   Dress Code Policy

Dress Code Policy
(incorporated into the Student Code of Conduct)

Purpose of Policy

One of the fundamental purposes of school is to provide the foundation for the creation and development of a proper attitude toward education. In order to further this purpose, it is essential to create and maintain an effective teaching and learning environment. Student attire impacts the teaching and learning environment. It can either promote a more effective educational environment, or it can disrupt the educational climate and process. Student attire that is acceptable for some social settings may not be acceptable for the educational environment of school.

In order to ensure that our students' education is conducted in an environment where safety risks, disruptions, and distractions are minimized, all students in the Norfolk Public Schools will adhere to the following minimal standards of dress. These requirements are in addition to any requirements imposed at individual schools that, with the approval of the School Board, adopt a Uniform Policy pursuant to other provisions of this policy manual.

The Superintendent is hereby authorized to promulgate regulations consistent with the provisions of this policy.

In general, students are not to wear or carry items of apparel to school (for example, clothing, accessories, cosmetics, jewelry -- including body piercing) that may interfere with the instructional process or present a health or a safety hazard to the student wearing or carrying them, or to others.

The School Board urges parents and students to exercise sound judgment, based upon the standard of appropriateness for the school setting, when choosing clothing, jewelry, and accessories to wear or bring to school, and to recognize that items that might be appropriate attire on nights or weekends are not necessarily appropriate for the school day and the classroom.

Interpretation and Implementation of Policy

The building principal/designee shall use reasonable discretion in interpreting and implementing the provisions this policy. If a conflict arises in the interpretation of this policy, the interpretation of the building principal/designee shall be final. Principals, administrators and teachers shall use reasonable discretion in enforcing this policy.

Enforcement

Teachers and administrators may deny class entrance to students dressed or otherwise adorned inappropriately until arrangements may be made for their proper attire. Students who are insubordinate or refuse to change the improper attire, or who repeat dress code violations shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion, depending on all the facts and circumstances, for violating the standards of student conduct.

Temporary Exceptions and Waivers

The building principal/designee and Superintendent shall grant waivers where required to by law to protect fundamental constitutional rights. The parent(s) or guardian(s) of a student may request a waiver from a specific provision of this policy and any related regulations where the strict enforcement of a provision would violate the student's fundamental rights. Such requests shall be in writing and addressed to the building principal/designee of the student's school. If the building principal/designee denies the request, the parent(s) or guardian(s) may appeal their decision in writing to the Superintendent or his designee. There shall be no hearing in such appeals; the Superintendent or his designee will review the written record only. The final decision of the Superintendent or his designee shall be in writing. There shall be no appeal from the final decision.

In order to allow appropriate attire for a particular educational or school activity, the building principal/designee has the authority to grant temporary exceptions to specific provisions of this policy and related regulations. An example of such an exception might be where a specially scheduled school event required a group of students to dress unusually on a particular day.

Legal References

1. Virginia Code Sections:
   

   § 22.1-253.13:7.D.3
   § 22.1- 279.3 A.
   § 22.1-79 (Powers and Duties of School Boards)
   § 22.1-253.13:7 (Standard's of Quality, Standard 7, Policy Manual)
   § 22.1-279.3 (Parental responsibility and involvement requirements)

2. Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565, 95 S.Ct. 729 (1975)
3. Tinker v. Des Moines School District, 393 U. S. 503, 89 S. Ct. 733 (1969)
4. Hicks v. Halifax County Bd., 93 F.Supp.2d 649 (E.D.N.C./4th Cir. 1999)
5. Byars v. City of Waterbury, 1999 WL 391033 (Conn. Super. Ct. 1999)
6. Phoenix El. School Dist. V. Green, 943 P2d 836 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1997).

Cross References

1. Standards of Student Conduct (Policy JFC and Regulation JFC-R)

  Dress Code Regulations

JZZB-R. Dress Code Regulation

Norfolk Public School students shall not wear the following items:

1. Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment displaying obscene, profane, derogatory, violent or gang-related messages, themes, designs or pictures.
2. Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment conveying messages related to or promoting the use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products, or messages that promote illegal activities.
3. Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment depicting bawdy, salacious or sexually suggestive messages.
4. Clothing that is transparent or exposes the midriff, navel or cleavage.
5. Pants, skirts and/or shorts that sag below the waistline or must be held in place with the hands.
6. Underwear as outer garments or clothing that exposes underwear; and items not appropriate for a classroom setting including, but not limited to, stretch lycra, spandex or nylon tights, leotards, biker pants, biker shorts, bathing suits, pajamas.
7. Tank tops, halter tops, garments with spaghetti straps, tube tops, fishnet tops, strapless dresses, or other clothing that is not appropriate because of slits, rips or holes in the garment.
8. Shirts/blouses as well as T-shirts, designed to be worn outside trousers, shorts, and skirts may be allowed provided the length of such clothing does not extend below the wrists when both of the student’s hands are at his/her side.
9. Accessories which could in some way pose a danger to the wearer or others; and/or could be used as weapons (including, but not limited to, two-or-three finger rings, chains hanging from clothes, picks, hair chop sticks).
10. Clothing that is too tight and/or is inappropriate in length as measured by any of the following measuring methods, as determined by the building principal/designee:
    1. shorter than six (6) inches above the student’s mid-knee; or,
    2. fingertip length as determined when both of the student's hands are at his or her side; or,
    3. Length must pass Flamingo test (Stand with both feet flat on the floor. Lift one foot and bend the leg backward at a 90-degree angle; the other leg must remain straight. If the back of the skirt touches the calf of the bent leg, the skirt is long enough. If the skirt does not touch the calf, the skirt is too short.)
11. Inappropriate footwear (including, but not limited to, shower shoes and beach shoes, such as thongs, bedroom slippers, and unfastened shoes or shoes missing appropriate closures).
12. Head coverings or accessories that are not related to or required by student’s bona fide religious practices (including, but not limited to, stocking caps, do rags, wave caps, carves or bandanas).
13. Items that are intended for outdoor use (including, but not limited to, hats, caps, and similar head coverings; scarves; jackets and coats.

Regulation adopted with policy: May 15, 2002; revised August 20, 2003

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