Student Dress Code

The Joplin School District believes that a strong relationship exists between what a student wears and the attitude and behavior he/she displays. We ask all parents and students to understand that different modes of dress are appropriate for different activities, and that not all modes are suitable for school or school activities.

Students should always be well groomed and dressed appropriately for the activity in which the students are engaged. Dress and appearance must not present health or safety hazards, be indecent, disruptive, distracting, or inappropriate for the classroom. School officials will determine final decisions as to the appropriateness of dress and personal appearance.

Below are guidelines for students and parents to help them avoid attire or grooming, which interfere with the learning environment. Examples include but are not limited to the following:

• Headgear, jacket hoods, hats, caps and bandannas may not be worn in the building.
  
• Sunglasses and dark glasses, unless required by a doctor, are considered inappropriate attire. Contact lenses or eyewear that are distracting are prohibited.
  
• Unnatural hair-coloring (fuchsia, green, blue, etc.) and painted faces are a distraction and are not appropriate for school settings.
  
• Footwear will be worn at all times. House shoes are not acceptable.
  
• Jewelry that is considered excessive or poses a threat to the safety of the student or others (chains, sharp objects, etc.) is not permitted.
  
• Tattoos that are considered inappropriate (depicting violence, drugs, sex, etc.) must be covered while in school.
  
• The following examples of clothing are considered unacceptable and will not be permitted: mesh or other see-through clothing; clothes that expose a bare midriff or backside, exposes cleavage or undergarments; halter-tops, tube tops, or other sleeveless tops or shirts with excessively large openings; clothes which are cut or torn above the knees; shorts or skirts that are excessively short; apparel which is excessively tight fitting or excessively loose-fitting.
  
• Other inappropriate attire includes: gloves, and/or clothing with vulgar, profane, ethnically derogatory messages, and messages, pictures, symbols, depictions or advertisements of gangs, violent acts, illegal substances, drugs or alcoholic beverages.
  
• Oversized coats, gym bags and duffle bags are to be kept in lockers during the school day for safety reasons.

Because of safety issues, individual classes may have dress requirements that are more restrictive than those listed above.

Building administrators will make individual evaluations to determine if other similar items are likely to be disruptive or create a potential health or safety problem. Exceptions may be made in the case of appropriate team uniforms, special school events and other specific principal designated activities. Teachers are expected to refer students to the office who are in violation of the dress code.

The principal may temporarily suspend any student whose dress or hair style is prohibited by this dress code, but the student will be readmitted promptly upon the correction of the problem. In the event the student is not reinstated by the morning following the suspension, the principal shall handle the matter as he/she would any other disruptive student.