Waynesboro Area Middle School
Dress Code
Updated 22/23 School Year
Although students exhibit different styles of clothing, it is important that our dress reflects good taste and is appropriate for school. The clothing of the student shall not cause a substantial disruption of the educational environment. If a staff member feels a student’s apparel is distracting to the educational process, the student will be sent to an administrator who will make the final judgment. If a student is dressed in an unacceptable manner, as determined by the administration, parents will be contacted and asked to bring appropriate attire, or the student may be asked to go home to change. Appropriate discipline will be administered should the dress code violation persist.
General:
1. Jeans and pants with rips and tears are acceptable as long as they are located at or below mid-thigh. Rips and tears above the mid-thigh are only acceptable if skin is NOT showing.
2. Yoga pants, leggings and skinny jeans are acceptable but cannot be sheer or see through, and the buttocks must be covered.
3. Undergarments must not be exposed in any way.
Unacceptable School Attire:
1. Tank tops and muscle shirts are not permitted.
2. Spaghetti strap/halter/mesh tops are not permitted.
3. See-through blouses or shirts cannot be worn without an undershirt or tank top.
4. Tube tops and crop tops are not permitted.
5. Any top that allows the stomach, chest or undergarments to be exposed is not permitted.
6. Coats, jackets or garments designed for protection from the outside weather are not to be worn in school.
7. Hooded sweatshirts are acceptable but wearing the hood is not.
Pants/Shorts/Skirts/Rompers:
1.Pants and shorts must be secured and worn above the hip and no undergarments be shown.
2.Shorts, skirts, and rompers shall be of sufficient length. The length of these articles of clothing shall be no shorter than mid-thigh.
3.Cut-off pants or shorts are permitted as long as they are below the mid-thigh.
Footwear:
1. Shoes must be worn at all times.
2. Flip flops and high heeled shoes (heels greater than one inch) are not acceptable for K-5 students.
Jewelry:
1. Spiked jewelry, chains or any jewelry that could cause injury, constitute a hazard are not permitted.
Head Wear:
1. Hats, caps, bandanas, sunglasses, visors, and sweatbands are not permitted unless:
a. Medically necessary
b. For religious reasons
c. Used for a function with the hair.
2. Hoods from sweatshirts, sweaters, and hoodies cannot be worn.
Health and Hygiene:
1. Any apparel that is judged to be unhealthy or unsanitary (e.g. clothing that is dirty and/or gives off a foul odor) is not permitted.
2. Each student is expected to maintain good personal hygiene.
Offensive Dress:
1. Clothing, patches, buttons, pins, jewelry, and back packs are not permitted if they:
a. Have sexually suggestive writing/pictures.
b. Advocate violence.
c. Advertise or promote the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs.
d. Have double meaning wording or obscene language.
2. A tattoo must be covered if it:
a. Have sexually suggestive writing/pictures.
b. Advocates violence.
c. Advertises or promotes the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs.
d. Has double meaning wording or obscene language.
Enforcement:
Although all staff are expected to support the dress code, homeroom/period 1 teachers – please take the time to examine and be aware of student dress in your classroom. Appropriate disciplinary actions for violations shall include the following:
First Offense: Students shall be informed that they have violated the policy. They shall be given the opportunity to change into acceptable clothing available at school or by calling a parent/guardian to bring in acceptable clothing. If neither of these options is used, the students may be placed in in-school suspension for the remainder of the day.
Second Offense: A second infraction of the policy shall be considered as defiance. In addition to the disciplinary actions available for the first offense, a parent/guardian contact will be initiated.
Subsequent Offenses: Administration discretion up to and including out-of-school suspension.