White Oak Middle/High Dress and Grooming

The district’s dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, prevent disruption, and minimize safety hazards. Students and parents may determine a student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with the following:

• Clothing shall not exhibit pictures, emblems, or writing that is lewd, offensive, advertises or depicts tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, sexually related topics such as “Virginity Rules and I Love Hot Moms” or anything that represents gang/secret society membership. In addition, the principal or designee may use judgment in prohibiting clothing that promotes hate, violence, or suggestive slogans as depicted in television or media.
• Students must wear appropriate underclothing. This underclothing must not be visible.
• Shirts must reach below the waistline when arms are raised. Shirts are to be buttoned appropriately. Muscle shirts, halter tops, tube tops, and off the shoulder shirts or dresses are prohibited. Sleeveless shirts or dresses may be worn by girls but must measure at least 3 inches on the shoulder.  Sweatshirts with hoods may be worn, but hoods may not be worn in the building.
• Apparel that is low cut in front or back is prohibited.  
• The length of skirts and dresses must be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee. When skirts or dresses have slits, the slit must not extend more than 3 inches above the knee.
• Shorts must be no shorter than the top of the knee. When shorts have slits, the slit must not extend above the top of the knee.
• Clothing should be appropriate size.  No sagging will be permitted.  Pants must be worn at the waistline and must completely cover underclothing.  Pants and shorts must be secured at the waist.
• Leggings, yoga pants, pajama apparel, Nike Fit/running type shorts, tights, spandex shorts, or boxers may not be worn.
• Pants, shorts, and shirts shall be free from holes, frays, or tears.  No patches allowed.
• Pants, shorts, and skirts shall be free from wording above the thigh.
• When overalls are worn, both straps must be fastened.
• Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times for health and safety reasons.  All shoes should have a secure fit.  House shoes and steel-toed boots are not permitted. 
• Hair shall be kept neat, clean and well-groomed and not disrupt the learning environment. Students may not wear spiked hair, mohawks/faux hawks of any type, athletic headbands, or bandanas.  No extreme hairstyles are allowed including unnatural hair dyes or colors and cuts.  Hair must be kept in a manner that does not cover the eyes.
• Boys shall not have man buns or ponytails.  The length of the boy’s hair shall not extend past the top of shoulder.
• Facial hair should be neat, clean, closely trimmed to the jaw-line and not be a distraction to the learning environment.
• Cosmetics or makeup shall be applied in such a manner that users shall not appear conspicuous or attract undue attention.
• Students are prohibited from having any exposed tattoos or writing on the body during the school day.   
• Hats, caps, bandanas, or other head coverings of any kind will not be allowed at school during regular school hours.  
• Sunglasses may not be worn inside the school building unless prescribed by a physician.
• Heavy chains or spiked jewelry is unacceptable.
• Metal hair picks are considered weapons and are prohibited.
• Male students shall not wear earrings or ear studs.
• No body piercing jewelry will be allowed, including nose rings.  
• No blankets or pillows at any time.

 *The administration may allow exceptions to the dress code on designated days.

Students must be in dress code upon entering the campus in the morning and remain in dress code throughout the day until the last bell rings to release students to go home.  Students out of dress code will be reported to the office for a dress code violation.  If the principal, or  designee, determines that a student’s grooming or clothing violates the school’s dress code, the student will be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school.  If not corrected, the student may be assigned to in-school suspension for the remainder of the day, until the problem is corrected, or until a parent or designee brings an acceptable change of clothing to the school.  Repeated offenses may result in more serious disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

The administration reserves the right to judge whether any current fashion or fad is appropriate for school wear and to require any student to change his or her attire if it is not found acceptable.