MILAN SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT DRESS CODE

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. (MSSD Board Policy 6.310) APPROVED 7-26-06

 

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 2007-2008 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:

* 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 5 buttons, button-down dress style, or turtleneck). The top button may be worn unbuttoned.

General:

* No denim material may be worn in grades 5 through 12.

* Students in grades Pre-K through 4 may wear plain denim jeans.

* 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.

*Heavy coats, heavy jackets, and raincoats are not to be worn inside the school building.

* Hats, bandanas, headscarves, sweatbands, stocking caps, hair racks/combs, hair rollers, combs, rakes, ‘do-rags’, grills, and sunglasses cannot be worn in the building.

* All items of clothing must be appropriately sized. No oversized pants or shirts will be allowed.

* Sweat pants or jogging suits may not be worn.

*  Clothing will be clean, in good repair, fit properly, and be appropriate to the activity at all times.

* Clothing with holes must be patched on the outside.

* 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).

* Gloves may not be worn inside the school facility.

* Cheerleader uniforms will not be worn in the classroom.

 

Shirts/Sweaters:

*  Students must wear a solid color long sleeve or short sleeve shirt with a collar (polo with up to 5 buttons, button-down dress style, or turtleneck).

*  No cap sleeves. There must be a seam under the arm.

* Shirts must be tucked in – Grades 4 through 12.

* Solid white T-shirts may be worn as an undergarment.

* Solid color vests, light jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts without hoods, and cardigans are permitted over the basic shirt. These items may be any color.

*  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.

*  Shirts, approved by school administration, that represent school-based organizations will be allowed on designated days.

 

Pants/Jumpers/Shorts/Skirts:

*  Students must wear solid colored (khaki, navy, or black) pants, knee-length walking shorts, skirts, or jumpers. MES students may wear plain denim jeans.

*  Cargo pants are not allowed.

*  Pants must be straight-legged or flared. Denim jeans and bell bottoms are not permitted in grades 5 - 12.

* Skirts, jumpers, and shorts must be worn at or below the knee.

*  Solid khaki, navy, or black capri pants are allowed.

*  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.

* 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.

*  Students may wear walking shorts (at the knee or lower) year round. Shorts must be dress-type. Sports shorts are not allowed.

*  Un-hemmed pants, frayed bottoms, and cutoffs are not allowed.

 

Shoes/Belts/Jewelry:

*  Shoes can have heels no higher than one and one-half inches. Athletic shoes, sandals, and boots are permitted.

*  Shoes must be laced, tied, strapped, and hooked. House shoes are not permitted.

*  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.

*  Clothing or jewelry that indicates drug culture, gang membership, supports gang behavior, or is gang-identified will not be tolerated.

*  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.

* Grills will not be allowed.

 

Backpacks/Book Bags:

*  Rolling book bags are not allowed unless medically necessary and approved by school administration.

 

Special Days:

*  Special days may be set aside by the school administration to allow variation in the dress code. Dates will be announced.

*  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.

 

***  First Violation – 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.

***  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.

*** 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.

***  Fourth and Subsequent Violations – 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.