Dress Code
STUDENT DRESS AND GROOMING STANDARDS
Dress Code Philosophy:
The Board of Trustees believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to wear clothes that are suitable for the school activities in which they participate. Student dress choices should respect the District’s intent to sustain a community that is inclusive of a diverse range of identities. The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s). The school District is responsible for ensuring that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student, and that dress code enforcement does not reinforce or increase marginalization, shaming, or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion.
1. Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times. Clothes must be worn in a way such that genitals, buttocks, breasts, and stomach are fully covered with opaque fabric. All items listed in the “must wear” and “may wear” categories below must meet this basic principle.
2. Students Must Wear*, while following the basic principle of Section 1 above:
- A Shirt (with a minimum of a 1 inch wide strap and fabric in the front, back, and on the sides immediately under the armpits), and
- Pants/jeans or the equivalent (for example, sweatpants, opaque leggings, or shorts), or
- A dress or skirt, and
- Shoes (as appropriate for the environment and activity).
*Courses that include attire as part of the curriculum (for example, professionalism, public speaking, and job readiness) may include assignment-specific dress, but should not focus on covering bodies in a particular way or promoting culturally-specific attire. Activity-specific attire requirements are permitted for extracurricular activities and PE.
3. Students May Wear, as long as these items do not violate Section 1 above:
- Sun-protective clothing, such as hats and hoods or wear body or hair protection as necessary as long as the face is not obstructed, is allowed outdoors during the school day. The student’s CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Middle School Policies and Procedures Revised: June 17, 2019 8 face must be visible to staff, and headwear must not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff.
- Athletic attire, as necessary for athletic activities.
4. Students Cannot Wear:
- Clothing or accessories displaying profanity, pornography, and violent language or images.
- Clothing or accessories considered unsafe, dangerous or a health hazard.
- Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity).
- Hate speech, images, or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups.
- Any clothing that significantly and intentionally reveals visible undergarments.
- Swimsuits (except as required in class or athletic practice).
- Any item that obscures the face (except as a religious observance).
- Strapless tops or halter tops.
The California legislature has determined that gang apparel is hazardous to the health and safety of the school environment and therefore, the wearing of such apparel may be restricted.
Consequences:
1st Offense - Warning and change into replacement clothes. Parent notified.
2nd Offense - Detention and change into replacement clothes. Parent/student enters into a contract.
3rd Offense - Detention and change into replacement clothes. Parent conference.
4th Offense - Detention, Check in with the administration daily.
These dress code guidelines shall apply to regular school days and summer school days, as well as any athletic events, performances, and graduation ceremonies. Students who feel they have been subject to discriminatory enforcement of the dress code should contact a site administrator.