Administration releases new dress code

Board of Education releases updated dress code emphasizing equity

On November 7, USD 497 Board of Education released an updated dress code draft. More lenient than past policies, the administration seeks to define more open guidelines of appropriate attire. 

According to the outline made public by email, the board intends to “support of the district’s focus on equity, access to instruction, student learning, and safety, and ensure that the student dress code is applied equitably to all students in the district.” 

With student safety and health emphasized, the new code aims to prevent potential discrimination. 

As said in the document, “The student dress code and administrative enforcement of the student dress code should not create increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, household income, gender identity, or cultural observance.” 

Administration designed the policy with the goal of promoting a positive, accepting atmosphere among the student body. The drafted document will be submitted for community input during a November 11 school board meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the school. The code will be presented for adoption at a November 25 meeting if no changes are suggested.

 

Significant guidelines of the new code include:

 

Students are allowed to wear:

  1. Hats, including religious headwear Hoodie sweatshirts
  2. Fitted pants, including leggings, yoga pants, and “skinny jeans”
  3. Ripped jeans, as long as underwear is not exposed
  4. Tank tops, including spaghetti straps, halter tops, and strapless tops
  5. Except where student health and safety may be implicated (e.g., in chemistry or science lessons, culinary lessons, physical education or sports classes), restrictions shall not be placed on how students choose to wear their hair

Students are not allowed to wear: 

  1. Violent language or images Images or language depicting weapons, drugs or drug paraphernalia, alcohol, nicotine products, illegal items, or illegal activities, or use of the same
  2. Hate speech, threats, profanity, or pornography
  3. Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class
  4. Visible underwear. Visible waistbands or straps on undergarments worn under clothing are not a violation
  5. Bathing suits (except where required for participation in a course or school activity)
  6. Helmets, hats, or headwear that obscures the face (except where such is worn as a religious observance or for medical purposes)
  7. Clothing that intentionally shows private parts (nipples, genitals, buttocks); clothing must cover private parts in opaque (not able to be seen-through) material
  8. Clothing or accessories that may endanger the student or others, such as spikes
  9. Clothing that covers the student’s face to the extent that the student is not identifiable (except clothing/headwear worn for religious or medical purposes)

 

Link to full dress code guidelines:

JCDB final draft