13 Aug 2004
Board Approves Mandatory Uniforms at Several Schools
DALLAS--The goal of the Dallas Independent School District dress code, established by the Board of Trustees, teaches grooms and hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruptions, avoid safety hazards, and teach respect for authority.
Changes were made to the DISD student dress code to clarify that on campuses where the board has approved the use of mandatory uniforms, students will wear the school approved uniform unless parent or guardian files an objection requesting the student to be exempted from the mandatory uniform requirement or asks that the student be transferred to a school where uniforms are not required.
Each school may designate a uniform for students to wear on a voluntary basis provided it is not in conflict with the district's dress and grooming standards.
The district's standards for appropriate attire are:
• Male students shall wear clean shirts and slacks, shorts or jeans that are not torn or damaged.
• Female students shall wear clean dresses, blouses, skirts, jeans or shorts that are not torn or damaged.
• Shirts shall be worn inside slacks with belts at all times by all students unless the shirts are designed to be worn outside of the slacks or the pants are designed to be worn without a belt.
• Footwear that constitutes a safety hazard, including steel-toed boots or shoes, cannot be worn.
• Leggings, biker pants, or pants allowed to sag below the waistline are not acceptable.
• Visible body pierce is not allowed, including piercing of the tongue, while on school campus or school-sponsored activities.
• Sweat bands and skulls caps and other similar grooming items shall not be worn at school.
• Students shall keep their hair, beard and mustache neatly groomed.
• Male students shall not wear earrings.
• The length of dresses, skirts and shorts should be no shorter than "fingertip length" with arms in normal position.
• Students may not wear clothing that is either revealing or provocative. T-shirts and tattoos may not have printed statements or pictures that are vulgar or obscene or related to the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, sex or that promote hate or violence.
• No jewelry or similar artifacts that are either obscene or distracting are permitted.
• All gang-related clothing, similar attire or grooming are prohibited.
Administrators have the discretion to determine the appropriateness of attire and grooming for religious and/or medical necessities.
Students who violate the dress code will be assigned to in-school suspension for the remaining of the day or until a parent brings an acceptable change of clothing. Repeated offenses may result in serious disciplinary actions. Appropriate discipline procedures will be followed in all cases in accordance with the student handbook and Student Code of Conduct.
For more information, access the DISD Student Dress Code at www.dallasisd.org under the Parents/Students menu item.