DRESS CODE

The primary goal of Barstow High School is to promote academic achievement.  Any apparel which draws undue attention to the wearer or detracts from the educational process shall be considered inappropriate.  In order to provide a safe, nurturing environment where students can learn, free from distractions, threats, intimidation, or harmful influence, Barstow High School developed a dress code policy.

Anything not specifically covered in the rules and regulations that are disruptive to the educational process or considered to pose a safety hazard will be left to the discretion of the school administration or designee (see Board Policy 5132 and Administrative Regulation 5132).

Student Dress and Grooming Code

A student who goes to school without proper attention having been given to personal cleanliness (including hygiene and body odor) or neatness of dress may be sent home to be properly prepared for school, or shall be required to prepare himself/herself for the schoolroom before entering.

In an effort to keep district schools and students free from threats or harmful influences and to promote a positive environment for learning, the following regulations are provided for parents/guardians, the following regulations are provided for parents/guardians, students and school staff to ensure appropriate school dress and grooming.

All students shall abide by the following Dress Code guidelines:

1.         Garments shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times.

2.         Adequate footwear must be worn at all times.  No house slippers or house shoes.  Steel-toed shoes and cleats are not permitted.

3.         All hats, caps, “dew” rags, bandanas, or any kind of head scarf are not permitted. This includes fedoras and fishing hats.

4.         Sunglasses (unless prescription) cannot be worn in classrooms or inside school buildings.  Sunglasses are to be unmarked except for student’s proper name.  Schools are not responsible if sunglasses are lost, stolen, or damaged.

5.         Any apparel, jewelry, accessory, notebook, hair net or manner of grooming which by virtue of its arrangement, trademark or any other attribute or behavior denotes membership in or relationship to a group/gang which, advocates or promotes drug use or disruptive behavior or may be a potential safety hazard, are not permitted.

6.         Finger rings, body rings, tongue studs,  earrings or chains, belt buckles or clothing accessories which may be considered disruptive, a safety hazard or used  as a weapon are not permitted. Pacifiers are considered infant accessories and are not allowed on campus.    

7.         Crop tops, clothing exposing bare midriffs, pajamas, halter tops, plunging necklines, tube tops, open-sided shirts, skirts shorter than mid-thigh, shirts, and blouses which expose sides of the body, see-through or mesh materials which expose bare skin or undergarments ARE NOT PERMITTED at school or during school activities.  Outer clothing will properly cover all underwear. Spaghetti straps or exposed bra straps are not permitted.

8.         Students may be allowed to wear Bermuda shorts, walking shorts, or shorts of this type within the following guidelines:  The length of the shorts must be within the bounds of decency and in good taste as appropriate for school.  The shorts length shall not be shorter than mid-thigh. Short shorts are not to be worn at school. Shorts that have pockets that extend beyond the hem line are considered a violation of dress code. Shorts worn with knee socks are not permitted.  Socks should be pulled down to expose at least 6” of skin between the knee and sock.  Shorts that do not meet these criteria are not allowed. 

9.         Dress length shall be within the bounds of decency and good taste as appropriate for school.  Dress length shall not be shorter than mid-thigh. Garments shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times.  The length shall not be shorter than the end of the extended fingertips.

10.       Apparel, hairstyle or makeup which are deemed a safety hazard or are disruptive to the educational process are not permitted.

11.       Makeup, perfume, and false fingernails which cause a safety hazard or disruption are not permitted.  Makeup of any kind is not permitted at the elementary schools without the permission of the principal or designee.

12.       Tattoos will be covered if they promote any disruption to the educational program.

13.       Meeting the requirements of Administrative Regulation 5132 (student dress) does not prohibit a student from adhering to the tenets of an established religion or faith as they relate to dress and grooming.

14.        Lettering or printing will be allowed on shirts, sweatshirts, and other apparel as long as it is acceptable for school attire.  Crude or vulgar printing or pictures depicting tobacco, drugs, alcoholic beverages, gang-related names or symbols, or those that are sexually suggestive are not allowed.  Administration reserves the right to declare unacceptable any item of clothing, printing, or accessory depicting any logo that has been identified to be gang related.

15.       Pant size must be appropriate.  The fullness must not interfere with the normal school activities.  If the student removes the belt, pants must not fall more than two inches below the hipbone.  The crotch should not drop lower than the fingertips of the extended hand.  The length of the pant should not extend past the heel of the shoe.  When side seams are pulled out straight and then are crossed to the front, the edge of the pants should not cross the mid-point of the leg. 

16.       No garment may be worn that is cut-off, ragged or torn.  Shredded jeans are permitted unless visible skin is showing above the mid-thigh (material must be sewn behind the opening.

17.       No "see through" or "fish net" type of blouse or shirt may be worn.  Students must wear shirts at all times.  No muscle shirts, undershirts, or tank type undergarments are permitted.  Tank tops may be worn but must not reveal excessive skin or body parts, and must at all times cover any and all undergarments.  Administration reserves the right to determine compliance on an individual basis.

18.       Clothing which exposes bare midriffs, shoulders, and/or under garments are not permitted.  All halter tops, spaghetti-string shoulders, plunging neckline shirts are not permitted.  Undergarment tank-type shirts are not to be worn as outer garments.  Outer garment must cover all bare skin and under garments appropriately.

19.       Gang-Related Apparel (as determined by administration): Students wearing gang attire become targets for violence even though they are not gang members.  In addition, the baggy, oversized clothing now identified as gang related, presents a safety hazard since it allows students to more readily conceal dangerous objects such as knives, and other weapons or provide hiding places for drugs and drug paraphernalia.  Accordingly, the following types of clothing have been identified as unacceptable dress:

• #13 or #14 belt buckles or shirts, athletic jerseys, and any additional articles of clothing or accessories identified by administration or local law enforcement as being gang or hate group related will be forbidden on campus or any other school function or activity including sporting events.
• Gloves may be worn during inclement weather only. No single glove is to be worn at anytime.  No leather type gloves such as baseball gloves are to be worn at school. 

20.       Colors - Students shall not wear clothing or apparel identified by school personnel as "colors."  The term "colors" is defined as a display by the wearing or placement of apparel by a group of students, or an individual student, which would signify the membership or intent of membership in a student group known to advocate or participate in disruptive or illegal behavior.

Because gang-related symbols are constantly changing, definitions of gang-related apparel shall be reviewed at least once each semester and updated whenever related information is receive.

21.       Oversized clothing of any type or clothing of an inappropriate length is not acceptable.  Clothing must be worn right side out and have appropriate hems, exhibit no slits, tears, or holes, and must be in good condition.

22.       Belts and Belt Buckles must be plain, unadorned and of an appropriate size for the student.  Belts should be no longer than at allow 4” of surplus when pulled to fit the waist and shall not hang from the belt line.

23.       Barstow Unified School District school apparel such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, and jacketsare permitted. Students are not to wear clothing designating membership in private clubs or representing gangs. Apparel representing community organizations may be worn upon approval of the school principal or designee. 

24.       Anything not specifically covered in the above rules and regulations that are disruptive to the educational process or considered to pose a safety hazard will be left to the discretion of the school administration or designee with referral to Board Policy 5132 and Administrative Regulation 5132.

Students in violation of the dress and grooming code will be referred to the principal or designee.  It will be the responsibility of all school employees and parents/guardians to enforce the code.  This code will be reviewed annually by the committee composed of administrators, teachers, parents/guardians, and students and presented to the Board.