FILE:  JCDB

STUDENT DRESS CODE

The policy of the Vernon Parish School Board shall be that no mode of attire shall be considered proper for school wear that distracts from or disrupts classroom and school decorum, creates a safety concern or possibly creates a health concern.  Students are required to wear uniforms.  Clothing should be clean and students are expected to dress in a neat and appropriate manner at all times.  Extremes in style, fit and grooming will not be permitted.  In questions regarding student dress and grooming, the principal of each school shall make the final decision as to what is considered proper or improper dress according to guidelines as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

The School Board shall not exclude a student on account of a natural, protective or cultural hairstyle.  Natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle shall include, but is not limited to, afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids, cornrow braids, Bantu knots, curls, and hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance.

Any special occasions for different attire approved by the principal shall be allowed.

Students entering school shall be allowed two (2) weeks to purchase uniforms and comply with the policy.  After this "grace" period, students attending school without the proper uniform shall not be allowed to go to class.  Parents shall be called to pick them up or bring the proper uniform.  Continued flagrant violation of the uniform policy shall result in students being suspended from school.

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.

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.

DISCIPLINE FOR DRESS CODE VIOLATION

Students who violate the dress code shall be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

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.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:95.9, 17:81, 17:111, 17:416, 17:416.7

Scott v. Board of Education, 304 N.Y.S. 2d 601 (1969)

Karr v. Schmidt, 460 F. 2d 609 (5th Cir. 1972)

Board minutes, 7-1-99, 6-6-00, 2-6-01, 5-7-02, 2-5-09, 2-8-11, 10-6-15, 8-7-18, 8-9-22

Vernon Parish School Board