FILE:  JCDB

 

DRESS CODE

 

 

The policy of the Assumption Parish School Board shall be that no mode of attire will be considered proper for school wear that distracts from or disrupts classroom and school decorum.  Students attending schools in Assumption Parish shall be required to wear uniforms to class.  The Superintendent and staff shall coordinate the guidelines for uniforms and other dress code regulations and penalties for violating the dress code regulations.  The principals of each school will make the final decision as to what is considered proper or improper dress according to the guidelines as published in the Assumption Parish School System Student Code of Conduct.

 

The School Board feels it is the responsibility of each student to use good judgment in one's total appearance so that the attention of others is not distracted from the purpose of the school.  Cleanliness shall be a basic consideration.

 

DRESS AND PERSONAL GROOMING

 

Student dress and grooming are not to adversely affect the students' participation in classes, school programs, other school-related activities or detract from the learning environment of the school.  Extremes in style and fit in student dress and extremes in style of grooming will not be permitted.  Administrators are authorized to use their discretion in determining extremes in styles of dress and grooming and what is appropriate and suitable for school wear.  No student shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, blade, symbols, sign or other things which are evidence of affiliation with drugs, alcohol, violence or gang related activities or exhibits profane or obscene language/gestures.  Policies regarding dress and grooming stress the importance of reducing distractions that inhibit learning and are addressed as an attempt to enhance the learning environment.

 

The School Board shall not discriminate against an employee on the basis of a natural, protective or cultural hairstyle.  Natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle shall include, but is not limited to, afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids, cornrow braids, Bantu knots, curls, and hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance.

 

Any substantial complaint concerning the dress code will be dealt with by the school administration.

 

NOTIFICATION

 

The School Board shall notify the parent or guardian of each student of the dress code specifications and their effective date.  The dress code shall be distributed in written form or posted on the school’s website annually.

 

If the School Board modifies the existing uniform policy, it shall notify, in writing the parent or guardian of each student of the policy adoption or uniform policy modification at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the new or revised policy.  Each school shall display any uniform selected for a reasonable period prior to the proposed effective date for wearing of the uniform.

 

However, nothing shall prohibit the School Board from requiring a new or revised dress code or uniform policy without the required notice in the event of an emergency.  For the purposes of this policy, emergency shall mean an actual or imminent threat to health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage.

 

BODY ARMOR

 

It shall be unlawful and against School Board policy for any student or non-student to wear or possess on his/her person, at any time, body armor on any School Board property, school campus, at a school-sponsored function, on a school bus or other school transportation, or in a firearm-free zone, with limited exceptions as enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95.9, which includes permitting a student to wear, carry, or possess a backpack on school property or a school bus that has bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.

 

School-sponsored functions shall include, but not be limited to, athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities.  A firearm-free zone means any area inclusive of any school campus and within 1,000 feet of any such school campus, and within a school bus, wherein the possession of firearms is prohibited, except as specifically set forth in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.2(C) and 14:95.6(B).

 

Body armor shall mean bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.

 

DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS

 

Students who violate the dress code shall be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

 

A student enrolled in grades prekindergarten through five shall not be suspended or expelled from school or suspended from riding on any school bus for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.

 

Revised:  October, 1987 Revised:  June, 1999 Adopted:  February 4, 2009
Revised:  May, 1990 Revised:  May, 1999 Revised:  October 6, 2010
Revised:  July, 1994 Revised:  December, 2000 Revised:  September 16, 2015
Revised:  June, 1997 Revised:  January, 2003 Revised:  July, 2018
Revised:  June, 1998 Adopted:  February 19, 2003 Revised:  October 5, 2022
Revised:  July, 1998 Revised:  July, 2007  
Revised:  November, 1998 Revised:  December, 2008  

 

 

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.9, 17:81, 17:111, 17:416, 17:416.7

Scott v. Board of Education, 304 N.Y.S.2d. 601 (1969)

Karr v. Schmidt, 460 F. 2d 609 (5th Cir. 1972)

Board minutes, 8-5-87, 2-14-90, 6-15-94, 6-4-97, 5-6-98, 7-01-98, 7-15-98, 11-4-98, 5-19-99, 6-2-99, 11-15-00, 2-19-03, 2-4-09, 10-6-10, 9-16-15, 10-5-22

 

Assumption Parish School Board