CREIGHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 14

FNCA

DRESS CODE

LOCAL

The Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop and enforce school regulations pertaining to student dress that promote safety and a positive learning environment. Student dress shall not:

Present a hazard to the health or safety of the student or to others in the school.

Materially and substantially interfere with school work, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program.

Cause excessive wear or damage to school property.

Include any type of clothing, accessories and/or jewelry that is worn with the intent to convey affiliation with a criminal street gang as defined in A.R.S. 13-105.

Discriminatory or obscene language or symbols, or symbols of sex, drugs, or alcohol on clothing are prohibited.

Students may wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display religious messages or religious symbols in the same manner and to the same extent that other types of clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display messages or symbols are permitted.

The principal of each school shall meet with staff and parent representatives to develop school guidelines for student dress. These guidelines shall include specific actions to be taken in the event a student comes to school inappropriately dressed. The District encourages students to take pride in their attire as it relates to the school setting. Students should dress in a manner that, in addition to the following guidelines, takes into consideration the educational environment, safety, health, and welfare of self and others.

A. Students must wear a shirt with pants or skirt or the equivalent (dress, leggings, or

shorts).

B. Clothing must not be see-through and must cover a student’s undergarments, chest and torso, when standing or sitting.

C. Shoes must be worn at all times. Closed shoes are to be worn for any type of physical activity, such as physical education, et cetera.

D. Jewelry shall not be worn if it presents a safety hazard.

E. Clothing, accessories and/or jewelry may not state, imply, or depict hate speech/imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected classification.

F. Students may wear clothing, accessories and jewelry that display religious messages or religious symbols in the same manner and to the same extent that other types of clothing, accessories and jewelry that display messages or symbols are permitted.

G. Subject to the above, no hats, bandannas, other head coverings, or sunglasses may be worn in a classroom or school building, except for properly approved occupational safety headgear required for special classes or if authorized by a school administrator or authorized/prescribed by a medical professional.

H. Obscene language or symbols, or symbols of drugs, sex, or alcohol on clothing are prohibited.

I. Students may not wear clothing, accessories and/or jewelry with images, symbols, slogans, words or phrases that are profane, discriminatory or defamatory or that is worn with the intent to convey affiliation with a criminal street gang as defined in A.R.S. 13-105.

J. Hats and sunglasses may be worn outside. Exceptions for special activities or health considerations may be preapproved by the administrator.

Students who volunteer for extracurricular activities, such as athletics, band, chorus, et cetera, are subject to the standards of dress as defined by the sponsors of such activities.

Adoption of School Uniforms

Given the substantial potential benefits of a school uniform dress code, including for example, to promote school safety, improve discipline and enhance the learning environment, the Governing Board shall allow individual schools in the District to adopt a uniform dress policy under the following conditions:

A. That parents and community members have been involved from the very beginning in developing the procedures for a uniform dress code policy.

B. That a documented seventy-five percent (75%) of the total of parents and staff support a uniform dress code policy.

C. That individual schools have conducted a series of informational and educational meetings on a uniform dress code policy including an opportunity for parents and students to express their individual opinions.

D. That individual schools present a comprehensive plan to the Superintendent for approval, including provisions not limited to: Type, style and color of the uniform dress code, as well as policy and procedures for students and parents who fail to comply with the uniform dress code policy.

E. That individual schools provide a provision in their uniform dress code policy and procedures that allow students/parents to opt out of uniform dress code policy to another school, and that permits the school or District in its discretion, to transfer a non-complying student to another school.

F. That individual schools also be able to request a voluntary dress code program.

G. That individual schools, while not required, shall make every reasonable effort to provide financial assistance to those parents/students who are in greatest financial need, and that no student shall be subject to discipline for failure to wear a uniform if the reason is demonstrated economic hardship.

H. That individual schools shall permit alternative avenues for expression by students, including for example, buttons, jewelry and other accessories providing they do not contain vulgar, lewd, obscene, or plainly offensive messages or which may lead to substantial interference with school programs and/or activities, including accessories which advocate the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs and accessories which make reference to or identify gangs.

Cloth Face Coverings

All persons, including, but not limited to, staff, students, vendors, visitors, and volunteers, shall wear a cloth face covering while on any District property, in any District facility, at any District event, whether indoors or outdoors, and in any District vehicle, including District buses or vehicles rented or leased by the District.

Cloth face coverings should not be worn by:

A. Children under the age of two (2);

B. Anyone who has trouble breathing;

C. Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

The Superintendent may make exceptions to the requirement to wear a cloth face covering while keeping in mind the health and safety of everyone involved. Cloth face coverings are to fully cover a person’s nose and mouth, ideally fitting snugly but comfortably against the sides of the face and under the chin. They are to remain affixed in place without the use of one’s hands and are to not have holes. They are to be laundered regularly or disposed of appropriately. A cloth face covering does not replace the need for frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and practicing physical distancing (six feet [6’] away) to the extent possible. Individuals are to be reminded to avoid touching their cloth face covering and to wash their hands frequently. To ensure the proper use of cloth face coverings, staff and students are to be educated on how to wear and care for their cloth face coverings.