Dress Code and Personal Grooming

Pupils are expected to be neat and clean upon entering school. California Administrative Code, Title 5, section 302 states, “A pupil who goes to school without proper attention having been given to personal cleanliness or neatness of dress may be sent home to be properly prepared for school or shall be required to prepare himself for the school room before entering.”

It is important that students understand their responsibility to dress and conduct themselves in a manner which will be conducive to maintaining a safe, positive school environment and an orderly educational program. We encourage students to reflect pride in themselves and in their school by wearing clothing which enhances their appearance. Parents will be notified if students attend school improperly dressed. Students who persist in violating the following standards may be suspended in accordance with legal provisions. Areas that require attention are:

• All clothing should be in good repair and be neat and clean. Any slits or tears are unacceptable.
• Hair shall be of natural hair color only, this includes hair extensions.
• Facial hair is not permitted.
• Bare midriff shirts or blouses are unacceptable. Tops with thin or very narrow shoulder straps, including “spaghetti straps”, are not permitted. Tank tops must have a minimum 2” wide shoulder strap. No portion of the undergarment may be visible. Cleavage may not show. Midriff may not show when arms are raised.
• Haltar tops are unacceptable.
• Jackets may not be worn over a shirt that is unacceptable.
• Shirts may not hang lower than the longest finger when arms are hanging at sides.
• Shorts/skirts that do not cover all underclothing are unacceptable. Shorts must be mid-thigh in length. No cut-offs will be allowed. Shorts/skirts should extend to the length of the longest fingers when arms are hanging at sides.
• Socks shall not cover the calf of the leg when worn in combination with shorts that extend below the knee.
• Over-sized pants of any kind (including the width of the pant leg) will not be permitted. Pants that are one inch too big for the student’s waist are unacceptable.“Sagging” will not be permitted. Pants will not be more than “2 fingers” below the waist.
• Length of pants-frayed and touching the ground are not acceptable. The use of tacks or staples to make pants the appropriate length is not acceptable.
• Pajama bottoms are not allowed to be worn at school.
• Printing on shirts, T-shirts, coats or pants should not depict or promote drugs, sexuality, weapons, alcohol, tobacco or substance abuse of any kind.Gang-related symbols or writing will not be allowed. Any violent, suggestive, or obscene language, or language that expresses racial, ethnic or religious prejudice will not be allowed.
• Belts should be worn that fit the student’s waist. Belt buckles with initials are not allowed. Belts should not hang down the leg in gang fashion. Chains of any kind are not permitted.
• All students must wear shoes. Slippers and thongs are not allowed. No open toe shoes are allowed. All shoes must have a closed heel or heel strap. In general, any footwear that does not provide sanitary or safe protection for the student is prohibited. If the shoe has laces, they must be without stuffing and properly laced. Shoes will not have heels or platforms higher than 2 inches. “Roller” shoes are not allowed.
• Stud earrings are the only earrings recommended. Hoops and danglies larger than or longer than 1/4 inch are unacceptable due to safety reasons. Ear disks and spacers are not appropriate for school wear. No body piercing other than ears is allowed.
• Clothing with L.A. Kings, Chicago Bulls, Raiders and White Sox on them will not be allowed to be worn at school or during school functions. Any clothing that promotes gangs or graffiti group involvement or that is indicative of gang or graffiti group membership is forbidden. Because gang styles are constantly changing, the school will reserve the right to address new clothing styles as the need arises.
• Clothing with dominant color pattern or color identification is not permitted. (often worn in combination with other gang attire)
• Clothing shall not have any gang-style writing (commonly described as Old English style). Clothing shall not have writing other than the original factory produced letters/patterns.
• Personal graffiti written on the body will not be permitted.
• Backpacks, notebooks and school papers should be free of gang writing or graffiti. Schoolwork written in gang-style writing will not be accepted.
• There will be no stocking caps, ski masks or gang-style hats allowed. Hats must be Golden Poppy hats, or plain colored (no writing or symbols) and must be worn facing forward. Hats are not permitted inside the buildings. Bandanas are not permitted.
• Sunglasses are allowed with a doctor’s written notice only.
• Students in grades K-6 are not allowed to wear acrylic nails at school. Students in grades 7 and 8 are allowed to wear nails no longer than ¼ inch in length.
• Sweatbands are only to be worn outside when playing.