TERREBONNE PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MANDATORY SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY

NEW POLICY REPLACES OLD POLICY H-3.4

PHILOSOPHY

            The Terrebonne Parish School Board believes that a mandatory school uniform policy will provide a more secure school environment, promote an atmosphere for greater discipline, and increase learning opportunities for students by removing many of the distractions and connotations associated with various types of clothing.

            The policy of the School Board shall be that no mode of attire will be considered proper for school wear that distracts from or disrupts classroom and school decorum.  The principals of each school will make the final decision as to what is considered proper or improper dress according to the guidelines provided.  Any substantial complaint concerning the dress code shall be dealt with by the school administration.

            All students attending Terrebonne Parish Schools are required, effective with the 1999-2000 school session, to adhere to the Board’s mandatory uniform policy.

UNIFORMS

            Students attending schools in Terrebonne Parish shall be required to wear uniforms to class. Uniforms shall be worn as follows:

Primary School Boys Dress Code (K-3):                   White shirt (oxford or knit with collar), uniform navy pants (pleated, not pleated or cuff) or shorts

Middle School Boys Dress Code (4-8):                     White shirt (oxford or knit with collar), uniform khaki pants (pleated, not pleated or cuff) or shorts

Secondary Level Boys Dress Code (9-12):                White shirt (oxford or knit with collar), uniform khaki pants (pleated, not pleated or cuff) or shorts

Primary School Girls Dress Code (K-3):                  White blouse (oxford, knit, or broadcloth with collar), uniform navy pants (pleated, not pleated or cuff),  pleated skirt, shorts, skorts, or jumper

Middle School Girls Dress Code (4-8):                     White blouse (oxford, knit, or broadcloth with collar), uniform khaki pants (pleated, not pleated or cuff), pleated or straight skirt, shorts, skorts, or jumper                                                                           

Secondary Level Girls Dress Code (9-12):                White blouse (oxford, knit, or broadcloth with collar), uniform khaki pants (pleated, not pleated or cuff), pleated or straight skirt, shorts, skorts, or jumper

Schools may elect a solid color shirt (based upon school colors) to wear along with the white shirts as long as the “oxford or knit with collar” remains the same (no multi colored shirts are allowed). Only the official school logo is allowed on the shirts.

            The dress code also allows turtlenecks.  Turtlenecks may be worn as follows:

Primary Grades – Turtlenecks shall be white with no monograms, no name brands, and no logos.  Turtlenecks do not have to be worn under a uniform shirt or a uniform jumper.

Middle or Secondary Grades – Turtlenecks shall be white with no monograms, no name brands, and no logos.  Turtlenecks shall be worn under a uniform shirt or uniform jumper

DEFINITIONS

UNIFORM STYLE PANTS:  Depending on the grade of the student, pants must be navy or khaki in color. Khaki pants may be light or dark (no white allowed). Pants may be made up of total cotton or a combination of cotton and polyester: No Jean material will be acceptable.  Pants must have a front zipper and buttons/snap/clip closure at the waist.  Pants may have partial or full elastic at the waist.  Pants must be straight legs. Cargo pants, capri pants, jumpsuits, overalls, or coveralls are not allowed. Pants may be pleated/not pleated, cuffed/not cuffed.  If pants have a belt loop, a belt must be worn.  Only shorts or full length pants will be allowed.  Shorts may not be of a length to extend below the knees and must conform to pants regulations.  The small discreet brand name, such as “Dockers”, “Duckhead”, etc. will be permitted.

SHIRTS :                                 Shirts must be oxford, knit, or broadcloth with a collar.  Shirts must be short or long sleeved only.  Sleeveless shirts are not allowed.

SWEATSHIRTS/SWEATERS:  Pullover,  long  sleeve sweatshirts/sweaters, with  ribbed collar, wrist, and waist, black, white, navy, khaki, gray, or the designated school color, possessing no labels, logos, print, or embroidery, except for  the  official  school  logo  will  be  permitted.   Sweatshirts/sweaters officially sanctioned by the school are acceptable.

DRESS CODE REGULATIONS

1)                  All students will wear the designated school uniform clothing as outlined in the uniform policy. All clothing must be worn as designed by manufacturer. (No tying outerwear around waist or neck)

2)                  The wearing of uniforms which are oversized, baggy, sagging, or extremely tight fitting  is prohibited.

3)                  Pants must be hemmed and side slits are not permitted.  Pants cannot be made of denim material (jeans).

4)                  Belts may not be more than one size larger than the waist.  All students must wear belts if pants have loops.  Waistbands should be worn on waist.

5)                  Shirts must be worn tucked in at all times.  Undergarments must not be visible.

6)                  Uniform shirt collars must be visible when wearing a sweatshirt/sweaters.

            7)         All apparel in grades 4-12 must be no shorter that  five inches (5”) from the floor when kneeling.

8)         Footwear must be worn to school, and students are encouraged to wear socks.  Students wearing shorts, skirts or skorts must wear socks which are either white, black,  khaki,  navy, gray, or the designated school color. 

            9)         Slippers, sandals, backless shoes, or flip-flops are not acceptable.

 10)         Body piercing (except for the ears) that is visible will be prohibited.  (Example:  nose, lips, tongue, eyebrows, etc.)

           11)         Students will not be allowed to wear ornate or cumbersome jewelry.

          12)         Optional:  The name and/or logo of the school may be professionally sewn/printed on any shirt, sweatshirt, or sweater.  No other emblem or writing, other than the schools’ name may be on any shirt, sweatshirt, or sweater.

          13)         New students to the parish will be given two weeks from the date of enrollment to obtain the required uniform.

SPECIAL EVENT DAYS 

Special Event days  in which students are not required to wear uniforms are permitted if approved by the principal.

HAND-MADE UNIFORMS

            Parents/Guardians may obtain patterns for approved uniform style items and hand-make such items.

STUDENT GROOMING REGULATIONS

1.                  Student’s hair must be groomed in such a manner that it will not draw undue attention. 

Unless another hair color inherently  occurs, only one natural  hair color is allowed (black, brunette, auburn, or blonde – natural or dyed).

2.                  Faces must be kept neat, both in the case of boys with facial hair or girls with excessive makeup.

3.                  Basic to the grooming code is a commitment to neat, well-groomed students with personal hygiene and cleanliness being mandatory.

NOTE:   For further clarification, in all questions regarding grooming and dress, if the administration decides that the student’s attire or appearance is disruptive of the learning process, or so offensive or suggestive as to distract other students, then the attire or appearance will not be allowed.   

GROOM AND DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS CONSEQUENCES

GRADES K-6

FIRST OFFENSE:                  Record in Gradebook, warned (student should be sent to the office to call home to correct the infraction).

SECOND OFFENSE:             Dress code letter sent to parent, an appropriate school consequence, and  correction of infraction.

THIRD OFFENSE:                 Office referral, parent conference required, and correction of infraction.

FOURTH OFFENSE:             Office referral, parent notification, one day out-of-school suspension, and correction of infraction.

FIFTH OFFENSE:                 Office referral, parent notification, three day out-of-school suspension, and correction of infraction.

SIXTH OFFENSE:                  Student will not be allowed to return to school until it is established that he/she will adhere to grooming and dress regulations.

GRADES 7-12

FIRST OFFENSE:                  Record in Gradebook , warned (student should be sent to the office to call home to correct the infraction).

SECOND OFFENSE:             Dress code letter sent to parent, an appropriate school consequence, and correction of infraction.

THIRD OFFENSE:                 Office referral, parent notification, one day out-of-school suspension, and correction of infraction.

FOURTH OFFENSE:             Office referral, parent notification, three day out-of-school suspension, and correction of infraction.

FIFTH OFFENSE:                 Student will not be allowed to return to school until it is established that he/she will adhere to grooming and dress code regulations.