All students in grades K-12 are expected to comply with the following Administrative Procedures for Student Dress Code. The K-12 dress code as pertaining to uniforms does not apply to Pre-K; however Pre-K students must adhere to general dress standards, including wearing fully closed-back shoes.

Students are expected to dress appropriately while in attendance at school. This includes wearing the adopted school uniform. This dress code addresses requirements for uniform dress days and dress down days. General appearance of students should be reasonable and not distracting to others. Students are expected and required to show proper attention to personal cleanliness, neatness, and conservative standards of dress and appearance. Student clothing, hair styles, accessories, make-up, etc. must not be distracting, immodest, inflammatory, offensive, or hazardous. When questionable, the school principal will make the final determination of whether a student’s attire or appearance is in conflict with the system policy.

Students will observe the following dress code both at school and on the school bus:

Supplemental Wear

The uniform dress code shall not prohibit students from wearing coats, jackets, and sweaters or layered garments when necessary due to weather conditions. Trench coats and dusters are not permitted. Garments which do not meet the
description below under “Indoor Layering Garments” must be removed upon entering the building.

Anyone with a question regarding residency and the school district should contact the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services.

Indoor Layering Garments

If while in the building a student needs to wear a wrap for warmth, it must be worn over an approved uniform top. If the extra garment has a hood, the hood cannot be worn in the building.

Colors

Majority solid with no more than two color combinations of solid navy, white, ash, black, or school designated color; prints, plaids, camouflage, and other patterns or designs are prohibited.

Styles

Cannot bear a logo or name brand symbol or other insignia or message larger than the size of a standard credit card, no more than two insignia/emblems per clothing article.

The uniform dress code prohibits students from wearing or displaying expressive items on the uniform that may contribute to disruption by substantially interfering with discipline or with the rights of others. It also prohibits items that undermine the integrity of the uniform, notwithstanding their expressive nature, such as a sweatshirt or other over-shirt that bears a message and/or covers or replaces the type of shirt required by the uniform dress code.

On special occasions schools will be allowed to have dress down days. The principal at each school will determine the dress down days for that site. Acceptable dress for dress down days will be consistent with the dress code as published in this policy and in the Effingham County Student and Parent Handbook.

High school students who participate in pathway or specialty programs that have prescribed uniform requirements may wear those uniforms throughout the school day provided that the uniforms meet the individual program requirements.

General Standards

The following provisions apply to both uniform and dress down days:

• Students are expected to wear clothing in a normal fashion. For example, shorts/pants must be worn with the waistband around the waist. Pant legs must not drag the floor. Clothing such as belts, flaps, shoes, etc., must be fastened.
• Shirts may be unbuttoned three buttons down for polo shirts and only two buttons down for all other. No skin may be shown between the button line and the belt line.
• Any shirt or top that cannot be tucked in and remain tucked in cannot be worn. Shirt tails may be no longer than fingertip length. (Exceptions may be made for seasonal jackets, coats, sweaters, and sweatshirts of appropriate size that are in accordance with the policy).
• Clinging, revealing, immodest, or overly form-fitting garments are not allowed. Cleavage must not show. Sundresses that are cut low in the front or lower than the shoulder blades in the back are not allowed.
• No clothing or accessories which through language or graphics display, exploit, sanction, or promote drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gangs, sex, violence, discrimination, vulgarity, or unlawful activity are allowed. This would include political messages of any kind.
• The length of shorts, skirts, and skorts must extend to at least halfway between the top of the inner thigh and the top of the knee. The wearing of leggings, tights or similar attire (under jumpers/dresses) does not provide for an exception to the
  length requirement for dresses, skirts, or other similar garments. Acceptable legging colors include (worn under jumpers/dresses): white, tan, black, brown, navy, or gray, in solid colors only.
• Proper and acceptable undergarments will be worn at all times. Undergarments should not be visible to others.
• While indoors, students may not wear the hood portion of a hooded jacket.
• Hair should be fixed in an appropriate and acceptable manner with no extreme styles such as mohawks.
• Matched-pair, fastened, closed-toe, and closed-back shoes are required. Students are required to wear safe and appropriate shoes at all times.
• No clothing, jewelry, or accessory which is deemed a safety risk is permitted. Any clothing, jewelry, hair, make-up, fingernails, or any other item which causes a disruption of the school environment may be banned at the discretion of the principal.
• The following are prohibited:
  • Hats, visors, head scarves, rollers, bandanas, caps, sweatbands, do-rags, extreme headbands (such as “character” or “athletic” headbands)
  • Sunglasses
  • Visible tattoos (all tattoos must be covered)
  • Contact lenses that create an unnatural eye effect (such as “Halloween” contact lenses)
  • Visible body piercing (except ears and limited to three per ear in the lobe area)
  • Clear or covered body piercing(s)
  • Chained wallets, spiked jewelry, mouth grills or fronts
  • See-through; sheer see-through, or mesh see-through garments
  • Tank, halter, tube, strapless, crop, or midriff tops
  • Knit or spandex pants, leggings, jogging pants, exercise/yoga pants, cargo pants or shorts, skinny jeans, pajamas or
    lounge wear
  • Torn, ripped, frayed or cut clothing
  • Flip flops, soccer sandals, bedroom shoes, Heelys or similar type shoes
  • Extreme hair color, such as blue, orange, pink, green, unnatural red, etc. - hair must be a natural shade or tone

Certain school environments or classes may require more restrictive dress due to safety issues, i.e., Career/Technical Agricultural Education (CTAE) classes, Science labs, and Physical Education. Students are expected to comply with safety guidelines.

The principal shall have the authority to interpret dress code and make case by case determinations for the appropriateness of dress which is questionable or which is not covered in this policy. The principal may also make exceptions to this uniform and dress code for special events such as spirit week and approved school organization or team affiliated garments. The principal will ultimately decide if the clothing is appropriate.

Book Bags

Book bags made entirely out of clear plastic or nylon mesh are the only type allowed in Effingham County schools. Book bags made of other materials will be confiscated, including athletic bags and other such accessory bags and cases.

If it is determined that the student is wearing the backpack correctly and carrying only the necessary items and the book bag still weighs more than 20% of the child’s body weight, make an appointment to meet with the student’s teacher(s).

(Note: middle and high school students may wish to consult directly with the principal.) If, after meeting with the teacher, it is determined that the student is following the correct guidelines for carrying the book bag properly and safely and it still weighs more than 20% of the child’s body weight, make an appointment with the principal to discuss the use of an acceptable rolling backpack. If the principal approves the use of a rolling book bag, the rolling book bag must be inspected and approved by the principal prior to using it.

If the school principal does not approve the use of a rolling book bag, students and parents may request a meeting with the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services. Parents may also request to purchase home sets of textbooks so their child does not have to carry textbooks back and forth to school.

A request form for purchasing textbooks is available at each school. As a safety issue, parents are asked to keep children from hanging items, such as stuffed animals or long ribbons, from their book bags. Parents are also asked to adjust the length (cutting off excess, if necessary) of straps and drawstrings so that there are no long, dangling pieces. These items are prone to get caught in the doors and seats of buses and could cause injury.