Little Cypress-Mauriceville Secondary Schools
DRESS AND GROOMING
Research indicates that the way a person dresses affects his/her self-esteem, behavior, and performance level. Therefore, in an effort to provide all students with a safe, orderly, positive learning environment, the following dress code has been established for LCM secondary students.
The district and campus guidelines for student dress and grooming should reflect a positive image of the student and school.
The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Independent School District believes that the primary responsibility for student dress and grooming should be vested in the parents and students. For this reason, parents and/or students shall determine personal dress and grooming standards so long as student dress and grooming shall not interfere with, disturb, or detract from school activities.
Using these general guidelines and the specific guidelines listed below, school administrators, with the input and support of faculty members, have the final decision in determining and enforcing acceptable student dress and grooming standards at school and at all school-related activities.
The general appearance of students should be of such nature as not to interfere with the instructional program or attract undue attention.
Any type of clothing or hairstyle which, in the opinion of the principal or of his/her designee, tends to distract or cause a student to become a disturbing influence or tends to jeopardize the health or safety of students will be prohibited.
Clothing must adequately cover the body.
Students are not to wear clothing that is sleeveless, tight, loose, revealing, sagging, or short. Examples of unacceptable clothing according to this guideline include spandex pants or tights, mini-skirts, tank tops, backless apparel, jeans or pants with holes (store bought or deliberately made) where skin is showing above the knee or midriff tops. (Midriff tops are those that reveal bare skin.) All tops must be of sufficient length to prevent exposure of bare skin during normal daily activities. One may determine if a blouse or shirt is of sufficient length by having the child raise his or her hands fully extended over his or her head. If skin shows, the garment is too short.
Students cannot wear garments with visual or written messages that are likely to cause material or substantial disruption to the school environment. Examples of such prohibited visual or written messages include, but are not limited to, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, violence, vulgar or obscene language or images, disrespect for the American flag, and/or insults to race, religion, gender, or ethnicity.
Words or symbols may not appear across the seat of the pants.
Shorts, skirts, and dresses must not be shorter than the top of the knee including any slits.
Tattoos must be covered at all times.
Students are prohibited from wearing clothing that is typically worn for athletic purposes.
Students are to be clean-shaven. No beards or goatees may be worn. Mustaches are allowed but may not extend past the corners of the mouth. Sideburns must be neat, trimmed, and not extend below the bottom of the ear.
A student is prohibited from wearing any form of dress, having a tattoo, or accessory identifying him or her with a gang or cult or symbolizing the beliefs of such a group.
Clothing shall be worn with suitable underclothing at all times. Undergarments shall be worn in such a manner as not to be visible. If outer garment is see through or opened in the front, undergarments must meet dress code.
Cleanliness of body is expected of all students.
Hair should be clean and neatly groomed. It should not cover the eyes or be unnaturally colored (blue, green, etc.) or styled in any way which attracts undue attention.
Shoes appropriate for school should be worn at all times and must not present a safety or health hazard. House shoes and slippers are prohibited.
Shoes that attract undue attention are prohibited.
No type of cap, hat, bandanna, headscarf, or headband may be worn at anytime during the school day. Exceptions would be a cap or hat that is a part of a uniform at a school activity or a head covering worn for religious purposes or medical reasons.
Pierced earrings are allowed, but all other body piercing jewelry is prohibited.
Sunglasses must not be worn in school buildings without the nurse’s approval.
These guidelines are in effect on all school property including school transportation and school-related activities.
Students participating in special subjects or school-related activities, such as extracurricular or UIL activities or other special functions, may have a different dress or grooming code required or allowed by the sponsor, coach, teacher, or administration.
All students are required to adhere to the district dress and grooming guidelines, as well as any additional guidelines developed and approved for the campus. Exceptions will be permitted for bona fide religious or medical reasons.
Students who violate these standards may be removed or excluded from the activity for a period determined by the principals or sponsor and may be subject to other disciplinary action.
A student found to be in violation of the dress code will first be allowed to correct it by (1) changing into different clothing if available at school, or (2) call his or her parent or guardian to bring him or her a change of clothing. If a student refuses to change his or her clothes or cannot contact someone to bring him or her a change of clothing he or she will remain in the SAC room the remainder of the day.
Repeated violations of the dress code will be considered defiant
behavior.
(See policy FNCA (Local)).