FILE: JCDB
STUDENT APPEARANCE
The policy of the St. Martin Parish School Board shall be that no mode of attire shall be considered proper for school wear that disrupts the classroom and/or the school's positive learning environment. In questions regarding student dress and grooming, the principal or his/her designee of each school shall make the final decision as to what is considered proper or improper dress according to the guidelines provided.
NOTIFICATION
The School Board shall notify the parent or guardian of each student of the dress code specifications and their effective date. The dress code shall be distributed in written form or posted on the school’s website annually.
If the School Board modifies the existing uniform policy, it shall notify, in writing, the parent or guardian of each student of the policy adoption or uniform policy modification at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the new or revised policy. Each school shall display any uniform selected for a reasonable period prior to the proposed effective date for wearing of the uniform.
However, nothing shall prohibit the School Board from requiring a new or revised dress code or uniform policy without the required notice in the event of an emergency. For the purposes of this policy, emergency shall mean an actual or imminent threat to health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage.
STUDENT DRESS AND APPEARANCE CODE
The St. Martin Parish School Board has a responsibility to establish a dress and appearance policy that balances the rights of its students for freedom of expression and individuality against its duty and responsibility to maintain a positive learning environment on campus and to foster the values of the communities served by the public schools.
Students will wear clothing and optional accessories that do not detract from the learning process. To ensure an atmosphere of order, discipline, and safety, which are prerequisites to providing education, students will be required to follow the guidelines below at school, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored activity or field trip:
If earrings (including “body piercing” jewelry) are allowed by individual school policy, they can only be worn on the ear.
Heavy chains hanging from belt loops or pockets and other type items are prohibited.
Hair curlers and rakes of any kind are prohibited.
Sunglasses (unless prescribed by a physician) are prohibited. A principal or designee may request a statement from the physician.
Book bags, Knapp sacks or other bags used to carry student books and accessories must be mesh or see-through, except for such bags and packs which have bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.
Gang-related jewelry, insignias, colors, paraphernalia, and materials are prohibited. Such may vary school to school and may change year to year.
Make-up, hair designs, and hair colors which cause undue attention, distracting from the educational environment as determined by the principal, are not allowed.
Excessive jewelry that is considered a distraction or a danger is prohibited and is to be determined by the administrator (ex. black trench coats)
BODY ARMOR
It shall be unlawful and against School Board policy for any student or non-student to wear or possess on his/her person, at any time, body armor on any School Board property, school campus, at a school-sponsored function, on a school bus or other school transportation, or in a firearm-free zone, with limited exceptions as enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95.9, which includes permitting a student to wear, carry, or possess a backpack on school property or a school bus that has bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.
School-sponsored functions shall include, but not be limited to, athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities. A firearm-free zone means any area inclusive of any school campus and within 1,000 feet of any such school campus, and within a school bus, wherein the possession of firearms is prohibited, except as specifically set forth in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.2(C) and 14:95.6(B).
Body armor shall mean bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.
ELEMENTARY AND JUNIOR HIGH UNIFORM CODE
Appropriate Parish-Approved Uniform Allowed (Grades Pre-K through 8):
Shirts:
Solid color: Red
Polo (golf)
Short or long sleeves
Two or three buttons at the top front and collar
No emblems, insignias, or monograms
Jumpers:
Allowed grades Pre-K-6
Uniform Navy Blue
Uniform shirts must be worn under jumpers
Styles must be cotton twill or cotton blend (no jean material)
Set in-side pockets
Hems no more than 2" above knees when student kneeling
Navy blue shorts must be worn under jumper
Skirts:
Solid color: Navy blue
Style must be cotton twill or cotton blend (no jean material)
Hems no more than 2 " above the knee when student is kneeling. Must be worn at waistline
Pleated skirts
Skorts:
Allowed in grades Pre-K-6
Solid color: Navy blue
Style must be cotton twill or cotton blend (no jean material)
Hems no more than 2 " above the knee when student is kneeling. Must be worn at waistline
Shorts:
Allowed in grades Pre-K-6
Solid color: Navy blue
Style must be cotton twill or cotton blend (no jean material)
Set in-side pockets, no patch pockets
Hems no more than 2" above the knee when student is kneeling
No pockets on pant legs
Can be pleated or flat front
Must have front waistband and belt loops
Elastic allowed on back and sides
Must be worn at waistline
(Pre-K and Kindergarten students may wear pull on shorts)
Slacks:
Solid color: Navy blue
Style must be cotton twill or cotton blend (no jean material)
Set in-side pockets, no patchpockets
Straight legs
No elastic or gathered at the ankles
Must be hemmed and length not to exceed top of shoe
No pockets on lower legs
Can be pleated or flat front
Must have front waistband and belt loops
Elastic allowed on back and sides
Must be worn at waistline
(Kindergarten students may wear pull-on pants)
Cropped stirrup, parachute, wind, stretch/warm-up, and jean-style pants not allowed
Belts:
Solid color: Black, navy blue, or brown
Mandatory when wearing slacks, shorts, or skirts (with belt loops) Belt buckles must be plain
Emblems; insignias, or initials prohibited
Appropriate, length for waist size
Socks/Tights:
Solid color: Red, white, or navy blue
Must extend above the ankle
Mandatory wear
No logos
Shoes:
Navy blue, black, brown, gray, or white with secondary color as trim.
No sandals, boots, or heels above one inch
Close toe and close heel shoes
If tie shoes, shoes should be properly tied
No roller blade, lighted, or any extraordinary features
Sweaters/Sweatshirts:
Solid color: Navy or red
Cardigan, pullover, v-neck, crew or vest style
No designs, emblems, insignias or monograms
May be worn over polo shirts during cold weather
Turtlenecks/Mock Turtlenecks:
Solid color: Navy, red, or white
No designs, emblems, insignias, or monograms
Can only be worn under polo shirt
Hats/Caps:
No caps, "do rags", or headbands are allowed on buses, playgrounds, inside buildings
Winter navy knit pullover hats shall be allowed on buses and outdoors during cold weather
Spirit Shirts:
A school approved spirit shirt may be worn on designated days, not to exceed 12 days per year. No jeans allowed.
Coats and Jackets:
Pre-K-6: Coats and jackets of any color (zip or pull-over) are acceptable. No long, below the knee dusters or trench coats allowed.
Grades 7-8: Solid color: black or navy. School issued jackets are permissible (letter jacket, A-team, band, etc.). Coats, jackets, and sweaters (open front, zip, and button) shall be allowed to be worn in the building and classrooms. No long, below the knee dusters or trench coats shall be allowed.
HIGH SCHOOL UNIFORM CODE
Appropriate Parish-Approved Uniform Allowed (Grades 9 through 12):
Shirts:
Solid color: White
School Colors as follows: BBSH-Maroon, CSH-Green and SMSH-Purple Polo (golf)
Short or long sleeves
Two or three buttons at the top front and collar
No emblems, insignias, or monograms
School-approved logo optional
Skirts:
Solid color: Khaki
Style must be cotton twill or cotton blend (no jean material)
Hems no more than 2 " above the knee when student is kneeling
Must be worn at waistline
Slacks:
Solid color: Khaki
Style must be cotton twill or cotton blend (no jean material)
Set in-side pockets, no patch pockets
Straight legs
No elastic or gathered at the ankles
Must be hemmed and length not to exceed top of shoe
No pockets on lower legs
Can be pleated or flat front
Must have front waistband and belt loops
Elastic allowed on back and sides
Must be worn at waistline
Cropped, stirrup, parachute, wind, stretch/warm-up, and jean-style pants not allowed
Belts:
Solid color: Black, navy blue, or brown
Mandatory when wearing slacks
Belt buckles must be plain
Emblems, insignias, or initials prohibited
Appropriate length for waist size
Socks/Tights:
Solid color: White, khaki, navy blue, or black
Must extend above the ankle
Mandatory wear
No logos
Shoes:
Navy blue, black, brown, gray, or white with secondary color as trim. No sandals, boots, or heels above one inch
Close toe and close heel shoes
If tie shoes, shoes should be properly tied
Sweatshirts:
Solid white
No designs, emblems, insignias or monograms
May be worn over polo shirts during cold weather
Turtlenecks/Mock Turtlenecks and Undershirts:
Solid color: White
No designs, emblems, insignias, or monograms
Can only be worn under polo shirt
Hats/Caps:
No caps, no "do-rags" or headbands are allowed on buses, playgrounds, inside buildings
Winter black or navy knit pullover hats shall be allowed on buses and outdoors during cold weather.
Spirit Shirts:
A school approved spirit shirt may be worn on twelve (12) pre-designated days. No jeans allowed.
Coats, Jackets and Sweaters:
Solid color: black or navy. School-issued jackets are permissible. (letter jackets, A-team, band, etc.) Coats, jackets, and sweaters (open front, button, and zip) shall be allowed to be worn in the building and classrooms. No long, below the knee dusters or trench coats allowed.
GENERAL INFORMATION -- ALL GRADES
The uniforms will be classic-traditional style. No baggy or oversized clothes will be allowed. All clothing worn must be appropriate size, not oversized or too tight. Shorts and slacks must fit at the waist and the crotch (within one size of student's actual waist and in-seam measurement). All clothing must be hemmed (not frayed or slit at the seams or stapled or taped at the hem) and may not have any holes or tears. Pants or skirts which are too tight, revealing, or which allow underclothing to show are not allowed. Shirts must be worn tucked into slacks, shorts, or skirts so that the waist is visible. Sweaters, sweatshirts, or jackets worn in cold weather do not have to be tucked in. Belts must be kept in the belt loops. Girls may wear shorts under their skirts as long as the shorts are not visible. Socks or tights must be worn.
Pre-Designated Days
The principal may allow on twelve (12) pre-designated days for students on an approved list to wear "A" Team t-shirts, 4-H shirts, spirit shirts or their Boy/Girl Scout sashes. All other school uniform clothing must be worn on pre-designated days. No pre-designated days shall include the wearing of jeans, cheerleader uniforms, or other clothing not stated in the above sentence. This is also true for field trips.
School Pictures
Fall Semester Pictures are uniform pictures only. The level of free dress for students for the Spring Semester pictures shall be determined by the school administrator. Any deviations from the uniform policy must comply with the Dress and Appearance Code.
Medical Necessity
Slings, casts, prosthesis, bandages or the like shall not be considered to violate this policy. If the principal or other official deems it necessary, the child can be asked to bring a medical certificate as to the wearing of the item. A follow-up with the parents shall be indicated where the child fails to comply with such a request.
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF UNIFORM POLICY
Violations of the dress code shall be handled in accordance with the Discipline Portion of the Student and Parent Handbook and Discipline Policy.
A student enrolled in grades prekindergarten through five shall not be suspended or expelled from school or suspended from riding on any school bus for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.
| Revised: August, 2005 | Revised: January 7, 2015 |
| Revised: January 7, 2009 | Revised: October 7, 2015 |
| Revised: October 6, 2010 | Revised: August 1, 2018 |
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.9, 17:81, 17:416.7
Scott v. Board of Education, 304 N.Y.S.S. 2d 601 (1969)
Karr v. Schmidt, 460 F. 2d 609 (5th Cir. 1972)
Board minutes, 3-3-99, 4-7-99, 5-5-99, 7-21-99, 5-3-00, 6-4-03, 5-4-05, 1-7-09, 10-6-10, 1-7-15, 10-7-15, 8-1-18
St. Martin Parish School Board