STUDENT APPEARANCE AND DRESS CODE

Seminole County Public Schools’ dress code policy is intended to create a safe, orderly, professional atmosphere for all students regardless of gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, body type, socioeconomic circumstances, culture, or religion. This policy intends to ensure access to a safe, equitable education. Responsibility for the dress and appearance of students enrolled in the Seminole County Public Schools primarily rests with parents and the students. Some student apparel, however, may not be appropriate to wear to school, even though that same apparel may be appropriate to wear in other settings. The standards of appearance for students shall ensure that students are clean, neat, and properly dressed. They shall observe modes of dress and standards of personal grooming which are appropriate for the academic environment. It is the responsibility of the principal to see that the dress appearance of any student shall not be extreme, to the point of creating a disturbance, or is hazardous to self, others, or school property, whether or not the specific case is covered by the information below.

The principal or principal’s designee has the final authority for interpreting whether a student's apparel/appearance conforms to the dress code.

To assist parents and students in making appropriate fashion and grooming decisions for school, the School Board has established the following minimal guidelines for the appearance and dress of ALL students:

Note: State Board Rule 6A-1.0404 authorizes the use of a student’s juvenile justice information and criminal record in conjunction with other relevant information for the purpose of reviewing a student’s educational placement and need for services, and to protect the safety of other students and school personnel.

•Clothing Coverage: Clothing must fully cover areas from one armpit to the other armpit, down to the thigh. Lower garments must completely cover the buttocks at all times. All tops must have shoulder straps, be long enough to cover the waistline, and must not expose the midriff or undergarments at any time. (See the diagram above for reference).

•Transparent Clothing: See-through or mesh garments must be worn with clothing over or under it and must meet the standard for clothing coverage (see the diagram above for reference).

•Accessories: Clothing, Jewelry, or accessories shall not convey messages that are: crude, vulgar/profane, violent/death-oriented, gang related, sexually suggestive, or promote alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. Jewelry or accessories that pose a safety concern for the students or others are not permitted. The use of blankets or throws as outer garments or body coverings is not permitted.

•Head: Headwear must not impede the ability to see the student’s face for identification purposes. Face coverings may be worn for medical, health, safety, and preventative measures only. Exceptions will be made for religious practice and/or school related events. Sunglasses are permitted to be worn on campus but must be removed upon entering all school buildings/classrooms.

•Footwear: All students shall wear shoes/footwear. Students must wear shoes that are safe and appropriate for the learning environment. Students must wear athletic shoes in all PE classes and/or outdoor activities. Students may be required to wear certain footwear for specific courses (for example: culinary, CTE, band, etc.) to ensure safety.

Note: Consequences for wearing clothing that exposes underwear or body parts in an indecent or vulgar manner or that disrupts the orderly learning environment:

1. For the first offense, a student shall be given a verbal warning, and the school principal/designee shall call the student's parent or guardian.

2. For the second offense, the student shall receive a detention, or its equivalent, and the school principal/designee shall call the student’s parent or guardian.

3. For the third offense, the student shall receive a Saturday School, or its equivalent and the school principal/designee shall call the student’s parent or guardian.

4. For the fourth or subsequent offense, the student shall receive an in-school suspension, or its equivalent, pursuant to s.1003.014 (5) for a period not to exceed three (3) days.