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Simpson County School District announces changes to dress code. Changes to the dress code are located in the Student handbook and listed in bold print. Please read and beware of any changes. The dress code changes were voted on and approved by the Simpson County School Board.
DRESS CODE
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Each student has the responsibility to dress appropriately for the school environment. Wearing apparel, hair, and general appearance shall not disrupt the classroom atmosphere, shall not be unusually provocative, or shall not violate health and safety rules of the school. The guidelines for dress and grooming are provided to assist parents and shall apply to all students. Student dress and grooming shall be neat, clean, and follow the general guidelines below. Exceptions to the dress policy for kindergarten through fourth grade will be at the discretion of the administrator.
A good learning environment depends on the best possible behavior and attitude of the student. Students are encouraged to take pride in themselves and to strive to meet public expectations. Students should be neat and clean, thus reflecting favorably on themselves and the school. Safety, health, and individual dignity provide the basis for any dress code. If a student’s appearance is disruptive to the learning environment, or is embarrassing to others, steps will be taken to deal with that student.
Teachers may at any time counsel with students about attire that may not be acceptable.
Specific Dress for All Students in Grades Five Through Twelve (5th – 12th)
1. Sleeveless shirts which are manufactured to fit around the arm will be permitted. Sleeveless shirts with large openings under the arm and/or “racer back” shirts are prohibited.
2. Shirts shall be buttoned.
3. No see-through or sheer shirts or pants will be allowed.
4. No athletic shorts, sweat pants, warm-ups, sliding pants, cycle pants, spandex pants, pajama pants, wind suits/jogging suits or joggers, mesh pants or yoga pants may be worn.
5. No holes of any kind are permitted in pants or shorts.
6. Pants that show skin or undergarments shall not be worn.
7. Head coverings may be worn on campus only outside all buildings. These items must be removed upon entering any building from outside and may not be worn in hallways, classrooms, library, computer labs, cafeteria or any other indoor location.
8. Due to associations with gang culture, bandanas of any color should not be in the student’s possession in any form or displayed. This includes symbols and/or representations on clothing and/or skin, permanent and/or temporary.
9. Clothing advertising alcoholic beverages or drug culture, clothing with obscene language or gestures, or clothing of any suggestive nature shall not be worn.
10. Shoes or sandals shall be worn at all times. Shoes which resemble “shower shoes” or house-shoes are not appropriate nor allowed.
11. Shoes so designed shall be appropriately fastened and/or appropriately laced.
12. Belts shall only be worn around the waist and must be buckled. Belts must be visible and not covered by any portion of the shirt. Belt buckles must not be considered distracting. Suspenders, when worn, shall be worn over the shoulders and attached to pants, shorts, or skirts.
13. Any apparel considered too short (allows exposure of skin – i.e., crop tops) shall not be worn.
14. Excessively tight clothing shall not be worn.
15. No fraternity/sorority jerseys or shirts shall be worn. LEGAL REF.: S37-11-39, MS CODE
16. No chains may be attached to the wallet or any parts of clothing.
17. Body piercing ornaments OF ANY KIND may not be worn with the exception of earrings.
18. Pants and shorts shall be worn at normal waist position.
19. If the wearing of athletic shorts and/or other bulky undergarment causes the pants to drop below the normal accepted position, those shorts and/or garments may not be worn.
20. Clothing should be of the proper size to be worn that allows the student to meet other requirements herein. Excessively tight clothing shall not be worn.
21. Walking shorts may be worn. The length shall be no shorter than one (1) inch below the finger-tips. Shorts must be hemmed. No rolled shorts. No shorts with fringe.
22. Overalls are allowed as long as they are worn with both shoulders fastened and show no visible skin.
23. Proper undergarments must be worn. Undergarments should not be visible.
24. Students are not allowed to bring blankets, robes, or oversized jackets to school.
25. Student’s hair color or style MUST not be distracting to the learning environment. This decision will be left to the discretion of the principal.
Dress Specific for Males
1. Tank shirts and undershirts are not to be worn as outer garments.
2. A belt must be worn if the trousers have belt loops.
3. All facial hair shall be neatly groomed at all time.
Dress Specific for Females
1. Dresses and skirts shall be no shorter than one (1) inch below the fingertips when the female’s arm is resting against her leg (pointing downward).
2. Skirts shall be worn at normal waist position.
3. Clothing shall not be excessively low in front or back. Shirts made to be worn off shoulder will not be
allowed if the collarbone is visible.
4. Dresses shall not be backless
5. Halter, midriff, strapless, or tube tops are not to be worn. No spaghetti type straps shall be worn.
6. All shirts must be long enough so that no skin shows between the shirt and pants in when worn in the normal waist position and/or when the student is seated.
7. Leggings are not allowed.
8. No jersey style dresses shall be worn.
NOTE The only exceptions to the above guidelines will be in classes such as physical education, drama, athletics, cheerleading, etc., where a specific wearing apparel is designated. Prior approval by the instructor and principal will be necessary. This applies to the day of the event. All athletes must be appropriately dressed after the athletic activity.
Students are not allowed to wear or display any garment or other item with racial or gang overtones or any other symbols which will cause disruption or indicate disruptive behavior.
ANY APPAREL, BODY ART OR TATTOO, OR VISIBLE ACCESSORIES CONSIDERED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OR HIS DESIGNEE TO BE TOO REVEALING OR INAPPROPRIATE SHALL NOT BE WORN. STUDENTS MAY BE SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL IF THEY FAIL TO ABIDE BY THE GUIDELINES ABOVE.
Students Placed At The Simpson County Achievement Center (Alternative School)
Students assigned to the Simpson County Achievement Center (alternative school) must wear specified uniforms. This uniform will consist of pants or walking shorts or skirts which must be khaki. Shirts are to be white polo or collared shirts. The student must remain in uniform for the entire time they are assigned to the Achievement Center whether on this campus or others.
Special Uniform Consideration
Game and practice uniforms and travel attire will be determined by the head coach of each sport in the school colors. All travel, game and practice attire will be the same as determined by the head coach including but not limited to shoes, socks, slacks, helmets, jerseys, chin straps and all stickers. Any uniform change for special events such as a memorial to a classmate or special event will be determined solely by the head coach
and approved by the Athletic Director in consultation with the Head Principal. Any change or deviation from the standard issue will be uniform for all players. Players not in compliance are subject to disciplinary action by the head coach and possible removal from the team. Specific Guidelines for Students Required to Adhere to Mandated Uniform
A student will be given warning(s) regarding a violation of the dress code. Multiple infractions of the dress code by students will be considered a flagrant disregard for authority which will result in disciplinary action which is wearing the mandated uniform described in this section.
Students are to be in compliance with the mandated dress code before entering the building and at ALL times on campus, from arrival through departure. Bus students must be in compliance at all times on the bus.
Additionally, students are to be groomed and dressed neatly. The principal will determine what constitutes distracting influences in matters of dress and grooming and reserves the right to make modifications as needed. All components of the mandated dress code are to be worn in keeping with the intent of the overall look. Circumventing the policy is prohibited. If a style of dress or appearance is, in the opinion of the administration, disruptive to the educational process, constitutes a potential threat to the safety or health of the student or other persons, or contradicts the intent of the policy, it shall not be permitted. The construction shall be wash-n-wear or permanent press fabric.
Top colors for Mendenhall and Simpson Central are white, black and gold. Top colors for Magee are white, red, and gray. SHIRT: Button-Up Oxford Cloth Shirt or “Knit Polo Style” – 2-3 button shirt
Collared oxford shirt or collared polo style shirt must be worn at all times
Solid white or school color polo style
Solid white or school color oxford cloth
Pointed or rounded collar
Long or short sleeve
No visible emblem, with the exception of the school logo
Must be tucked in unless designed to be worn on the outside
Solid white or school color undershirts or turtlenecks may be worn under the polo style shirt or oxford shirt
SWEATERS/VESTS/SWEATSHIRTS
Solid white or school color
Cardigan, vest, or pullover – plain front
No visible emblem, with the exception of the school logo
COATS/JACKETS
Khaki (tan) or school color
Must not be oversized
No trench coats allowed
Students may wear school approved jackets with Simpson County School District letter or logo for the
respective school site
TRADITIONAL STYLE PANTS/CAPRIS
Dress style pants – khaki/tan or black in color – jean material is not allowed
No visible emblem
Cuffed or uncuffed, properly hemmed (no frayed, cut or pinned hems)
Must fit at the waist and have a front waistband and belt loops
No corduroy, stretch fabric, frayed, sagging, oversized, extremely tight fitting, zip-off pants, low-riders, bell
bottoms, carpenter/cargo pants, warm-up windsuits, etc.
Length shall not exceed the bottom of the shoe
Kindergarten through fourth (K-4th) grade students may wear pull-up pants/shorts with a front waistband
(Elastic allowed only on the side and/or back of pants/shorts)
TRADITIONAL STYLE WALKING SHORTS
No visible emblem
Cuffed or uncuffed, properly hemmed
Pleated or unpleated
Must fit at the waist and have a front waistband and belt loops
No corduroy stretch fabric, or carpenter/cargo shorts
Length shall come to at least the knee cap
JUMPERS/SKIRTS/SKORTS
Regular/straight/box pleat styles
No visible emblem
No corduroy or stretch fabric
Length shall come to at least the knee cap
OVERALLS
Not allowed
BELTS
Solid brown or black
Length cannot exceed the buckle by more than six (6) inches
Must be worn with pants and shorts (Kindergarten through fourth [K-4th] grade exempt if garment has no loops)
SHOES
No platforms, flip flops, slippers, house shoes, beach shoes SOCKS/TIGHTS
If worn, coordinating socks
No visible emblem
A copy of the complete handbook can be found on the district web site page (www.simpson.k12.ms.us)