Purpose:
The School Board recognizes its obligation to provide schools where the health, safety, and welfare of the students who attend those schools are given paramount consideration and where a positive learning environment must be maintained.
The Board is aware of its obligation to make every effort to minimize the opportunities for student distraction and/or disruption in the schools.
The Board recognizes and understands that there is a strong correlation between appropriate attire and a positive learning environment.
Dress Code Expectations for Students 2021-2022
Students shall dress and groom in a clean, neat, and modest manner so as not to distract
or interfere with the operation of the school.
The following items are not acceptable school attire:
• Bandanas, Beanies, Caps, Hats or Toboggans of any type with exception of religious garb
• Sunglasses
• Shirts with any messaging/graphics w/ exception of representation of Haywood Tomcats (Designer logos may not be larger than a credit/debit card.)
• Political statements/messaging on any clothing or masks.
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses that are not at your fingertips or below with hands to sides
• Any apparel made from spandex material
• “Mesh” shirts, tank tops, or “cut off” tops, see through shirts (Midriffs must be covered at all times including when students are seated and/or raising their hands. Also, skin and undergarments must be covered with opaque clothing from underarm to mid-thigh. Mid-thigh is defined as the midpoint between the waist and mid-knee. Cleavage is NOT allowed to be shown at any time.)
• Articles of clothing that are ripped or torn that show skin. (Please note that jeans are allowed; however, jeans should not have rips or holes.)
• Clothing that promotes the use or consumption of alcohol, drugs or sexual innuendoes conveying suggestive or inappropriate messages. Clothing which denotes possible gang affiliation/interest group is not permitted.
• Apparel worn so tight that it is distracting
• Low riding pants
• Wording across the seat of pants
• Flip flops/house shoes/slippers
• Pants that are not the appropriate size and not worn at the waist
• Pajama Pants
• Tights worn as pants, yoga pants, and stretchy, form-fitting pants (However, leggings and other compression-style garments may be worn so long as opaque top garment covers the private body parts.)
• Camouflage clothing
• Oversized coats and large overcoats cannot be worn during school hours, and trench coats are not permitted on campus.
The above list is not all inclusive. For the orderly and efficient operation of the school, the school administration may determine other attire to be inappropriate as situations arise. If there is a question as to whether an article of clothing is appropriate for school wear,
the school administration should be contacted prior to wearing.
Students who are considered to be in violation of the student dress code will be required to be in compliance immediately or be placed in in-school suspension until he/she is in compliance. In extreme cases of dress, makeup, jewelry and/or hair, etc., the students may be sent home to make corrections. All infractions will be documented on the student’s discipline record and the Haywood County Schools’ discipline code will be
followed.
More specific guidelines appropriate for each and/or level of each school (elementary, middle, and senior high) may be developed. Principals, faculty members, and students shall be involved in the development of each appropriate set of guidelines.