Dressing appropriately for school shows pride in oneself and the school. Thus, clothing should be clean and appropriate. Students whose attire does not meet this requirement may be sent home to change. Any classes missed due to inappropriate attire will count toward the pupil being considered absent.  Whenever possible, a change of clothes will be made available to the student not adhering to the dress code to avoid missed instructional time.  The administration/faculty shall enforce the dress code with the administration having the final decision regarding all matters concerning the dress code. 

A. Footwear – Students may not wear footwear that would be potentially hazardous during an emergency or evacuation. Students are prohibited from wearing the following:

• Slippers
• Flip flops or slides
• Shoes with a heel higher than 3”
• Shoes with a sole thicker than 3”

Note: Students should change into appropriate athletic footwear for Physical Education class.

B. Shirts, Blouses, Tops -- A student’s stomach and lower-back areas should not be visible. Shirts, blouses, or tops that violate the acceptable Dress Code Policy include:

• Crop tops
• Tank tops and/or tops with enlarged armholes that do not provide coverage of the upper body may not be worn unless another shirt is worn underneath that does provide appropriate coverage
• Spaghetti straps (straps must be at least two inches wide)
• Tube tops or off the shoulder tops
• Undergarments should not be visible.
• Sheer or see-through tops
• Shirts with printed mottos or pictures that are offensive, promote illegal drug use (tobacco, alcohol, etc.), promote gang affiliation, or are violent or sexual in nature.
• Garments or accessories that depict bias or hate are strictly prohibited.

C. Shorts, Pants, Dresses – Appropriate length shorts, skirts, and dresses may be worn. All dresses, skirts, shorts, and skorts must be at least mid-thigh in length. The following are considered inappropriate and therefore are prohibited:

• Pants are worn lower than waist level
• Tight-fitting or immodest shorts, pants, or dresses (administrative discretion)
• Pajamas (clothes that are meant to be worn as sleepwear)
• Larger rips/tears in pants, skirts, shorts must be below mid-thigh (administrative discretion)

D. Hats and Other Accessories – The following violate the acceptable Dress Code Policy and are therefore prohibited:

• Hats and caps (including the wearing of hoods) or head coverings not governed by religious belief.
  Note:  All religion-based accommodations to the dress code must be presented to the administration for approval by the student and their guardian.
• Bandanas, headscarves, or sweatbands
• Sunglasses
• Chains as belts or other accessories

All headwear must be kept in the student’s locker during the school day. Failure to comply with regulations governing hoodies will result in the revocation of a student’s privilege to wear them to school.

E. Outdoor Coats – Outdoor coats and jackets are to be secured in the student’s locker and should not be worn in the classroom except in emergency conditions directed by the principal or with the permission of the classroom teacher.

F. Jewelry – Students are discouraged from wearing jewelry, especially earrings and other body piercings, during Physical Education classes. Physical Education teachers may require a student to remove jewelry during class if they deem it to be potentially hazardous to the student’s safety.

G. Physical Education class (Gloucester High School Only) -- students are expected to wear their school-issued Physical Education shirt and appropriate footwear to class each day.
New students will be given two (2) Physical Education shirts.
Returning students will be given two (2) Physical Education shirts at the beginning of each school year.
Students not dressed properly for Physical Education will earn 0 points for the class day.

Note:
Because no dress code can be all-inclusive, the administration reserves the right to make the final decision on all attire.
Facets of the Dress Code may be waived if associated with a Theme Day or school spirit event.  For example, sleepwear would be permitted on a school wide Pajama Day.