Milan Special School District Dress Code
APPROVED 07-26-06
The Milan Special School District has a responsibility to prepare students to
take their places in society as mature, responsible individuals. Therefore,
it is part of the district¡¦s responsibility to establish and maintain
standards that can be carried into the work place. With that responsibility
in mind, the following dress code will be enforced.
It is the wish of the MSSD Board of Education to allow students flexibility
in student dress which allows for individual expression. Therefore, it is
important that all students follow these guidelines in order to prevent
stricter rules.
The atmosphere of the school and community is reflected by the dress of the
student body. The student dress code ensures that clothing does not interfere
with the learning process and educational environment. Beginning with the
2006-2007 school year, all schools will comply with the district-wide
standardized dress code.
A student¡¦s physical appearance shall be clean and neat and not be deemed
distractive in any way including on the bus, in P.E., and on the school
campus. Parental judgment is suggested, but administrative judgment will take
precedent.
Basic Dress:
„P The basic dress shall be solid khaki, navy, or black pants, knee-
length skirts, walking shorts, or jumpers and a solid color long sleeve or
short sleeve shirt with a collar (polo style with up to five (5) buttons,
button-down dress style, or turtleneck). The top button may be worn
unbuttoned.
General:
„P No denim material may be worn in grades 5 through 12.
„P Students in grades Pre-K through 4 may wear plain denim jeans.
„P All clothing must be plain without any manufacturer¡¦s logos, brand
names, pictures, insignias (other than Milan Bulldog) visible on the
clothing. Small logos at the waistline or pocket of pants and shorts may be
permitted.
„P Heavy coats, heavy jackets, and raincoats are not to be worn inside
the school building.
„P Hats, bandanas, headscarves, sweatbands, stocking caps, hair
racks/combs, hair rollers, combs, rakes, ¡¥do-rags¡¦, grills, and sunglasses
cannot be worn in the building.
„P All items of clothing must be appropriately sized. No oversized pants
or shirts will be allowed.
„P Sweat pants or jogging suits may not be worn.
„P Clothing will be clean, in good repair, fit properly, and be
appropriate to the activity at all times.
„P Clothing with holes must be patched on the outside.
„P Articles of clothing should be worn with intended style (e.g. if it
is supposed to be buckled-buckle it; if it is supposed to be zipped-zip it;
if it is supposed to be buttoned-button it; if it is supposed to be tied-tie
it).
„P Gloves may not be worn inside the school facility.
„P Cheerleader uniforms will not be worn in the classroom.
Shirts/Sweaters-
„P Students must wear a solid color long sleeve or short sleeve shirt
with a collar (polo style with up to five (5) buttons, button-down dress
style, or turtleneck).
„P No cap sleeves. There must be a seam under the arm.
„P Shirts must be tucked in ¡V Grades 4 through 12.
„P Solid white T-shirts may be worn as an undergarment.
„P Solid color vests, light jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts without
hoods, and cardigans are permitted over the basic shirt. These items may be
any solid color.
„P Sports symbols and logos are not allowed on shirts, blouses, jumpers,
sweatshirts, or sweaters. The only exception is our school logo, logos on
athletic shoes, and small logos on the waistline or pocket of pants or shorts.
„P Shirts, approved by school administration, that represent school-
based organizations will be allowed on
designated days.
Pants/Jumpers/Shorts/Skirts
„P Students must wear solid colored (khaki, navy, or black) pants, knee-
length walking shorts, skirts, or jumpers. MES students may wear plain denim
jeans.
„P Cargo pants are not allowed.
„P Pants must be straight-legged or flared. Denim jeans and bell bottoms
are not permitted in grades 5 - 12.
„P Skirts, jumpers, and shorts must be worn at or below the knee.
„P Solid khaki, navy, or black capri pants are allowed.
„P Pants must fit at the waist and not be oversized or undersized. Baggy
pants, saggy pants, tights, or pants made of spandex are prohibited. Pants
more than one size larger than the body are considered oversized.
„P All clothing must be plain without any manufacturer¡¦s logos, brand
names, pictures, insignias visible on the clothing, however, small logos at
the waistline or pocket of pants and shorts are allowed.
„P Students may wear walking shorts (at the knee or lower) year round.
Shorts must be dress-type. Sports shorts are not allowed.
„P Un-hemmed pants, frayed bottoms, and cutoffs are not allowed.
Shoes/Belts/Jewelry
„P Shoes can have heels no higher than one and one-half inches. Athletic
shoes, sandals, and boots are permitted.
„P Shoes must be laced, tied, strapped, and hooked. House shoes are not
permitted.
„P In grades 4 through 12, a belt must be worn through the belt loops.
Belts must be appropriate size and may be solid brown, black, or navy.
„P Clothing or jewelry that indicates drug culture, gang membership,
supports gang behavior, or is gang-identified will not be tolerated.
„P Students may not wear jewelry or hair accessories that may be
construed as dangerous or distracting. Pierced jewelry shall be limited to
earrings only. Other pierced jewelry (real or look alike) is not allowed.
„P Grills will not be allowed.
Backpacks/Book bags:
„P Rolling book bags are not allowed unless medically necessary and
approved by school administration.
Special Days
„P Special days may be set aside by the school administration to allow
variation in the dress code. Dates will be announced.
„P Clothing must always be appropriate.
Compliance/Dress Code Consequences:
After the first violation, students who miss class due to the necessity of
changing into clothes that meet the dress code, will be UNEXCUSED for the
period of time missed and will receive a zero for any assignments due or
assigned during the missed class periods.
„P First Violation ¡V Students will receive a verbal warning. The student
will attempt to call a parent or guardian to bring appropriate clothing to
school. Students who miss class due to the necessity of changing into clothes
that meet the dress code will have until the next day to make up any missed
work. It is his/her responsibility to get missed assignments from his/her
teachers. A ¡§Notice of Noncompliance¡¨ will be mailed and sent home with the
student. This notice requires the parent to call or come to the school the
day after receiving the notice for a conference to discuss the standard dress
policy.
„P Second Violation - The student shall receive a minimum of a
detention. The student will attempt to call a parent or guardian to bring
appropriate clothing to school. Students who miss class due to the necessity
of changing into clothes that meet the dress code will be UNEXCUSED for the
period of time missed and will receive a zero for any assignments due or
assigned during the missed class periods. A ¡§Notice of Noncompliance¡¨ will be
mailed and sent home with the student. This notice requires the parent to
call or come to the school the day after receiving the notice for a
conference to discuss the standard dress policy.
„P Third Violation- The student shall be assigned to Saturday School.
The student will attempt to call a parent or guardian to bring appropriate
clothing to school. A ¡§Notice of Noncompliance¡¨ will be mailed and sent home
with the student. This notice requires the parent to call or come to the
school the day after receiving the notice for a conference to discuss the
standard dress policy. Students who miss class due to the necessity of
changing into clothes that meet the dress code will be UNEXCUSED for the
period of time missed and will receive a zero for any assignments due or
assigned during the missed class periods.
„P Fourth and Subsequent Violations ¡V The student will attempt to call a
parent or guardian to bring appropriate clothing to school. A ¡§Notice of
Noncompliance¡¨ will be mailed and sent home with the student. This notice
requires the parent to call or come to the school the day after receiving the
notice for a conference to discuss the standard dress policy. Students who
miss class due to the necessity of changing into clothes that meet the dress
code will be UNEXCUSED for the period of time missed and will receive a zero
for any assignments due or assigned during the missed class periods. The
student will be assigned to the Milan Special School District Alternative
School for a minimum of 5 days. A parent or guardian will be required to meet
with school administrators before the student will be given permission to
return to school.
Exemptions:
A parent who objects to standardized dress because of his or her religion or
religious belief must obtain a copy of the policy on Standard Dress, a
Request for Exemption Form and an Exemption Questionnaire from the school
office, complete the form and questionnaire, and return them to the school.
The principal shall review the documents and accept or deny the request or
exemption. The principal must accept or deny the request within two (2)
school days. If the principal denies the request, he or she must give the
parent a written basis for the decision.
The parent can appeal a principal¡¦s denial of the request for exemption to
the Director of Schools within two (2) school days of receiving the
principal¡¦s denial. The Director of Schools must meet with the parents within
five (5) school days of the receipt of the request for appeal, and must
render a decision within five (5) school days of meeting with the parents. If
the Director of Schools also denies the request, he or she must provide a
written basis for the decision.
The parent may make a final appeal to the Board of Education and ask the
Board to review the written record of the request for exemption and the
denials. This appeal must be made within five (5) school days of the Director
of School¡¦s denial of the appeal. The Board may hold a hearing on the
exemption request at its discretion. The decision of the Board is final. A
student will remain in school in the dress style recommended by the parent
until the appeal process is completed.
