High School Dress Code and Electronic Devices
Students shall dress and groom cleanly, neatly, and modestly to not distract from student learning or interfere with the school’s operation. Failure to comply with the dress code of the McMinn County School system will result in disciplinary consequences.
Large chains, spiked jewelry, or other jewelry that may be dangerous is prohibited.
No clothing, apparel, jewelry, or tattoos may be worn that implies or otherwise mentions alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sex, gangs, offensive language, harming others, hatred, or any prejudice.
Only the current American flag may be worn and shall be worn appropriately.
All apparel must be appropriately sized with no holes, rips, or tears.
Clothing must not be see-through or revealing. Undergarments shall not be visible at any time.
Certain coursework in high school requires coinciding appropriate attire (i.e., shorts for gym class or marching band, lab coats for science, pants, and closed-toed shoes for shop classes). For the safety of our students, these requirements shall be insisted upon.
We encourage parents to communicate with the administration if there is a question about the appropriateness of any item of clothing before the clothing is worn to school.
Shirts:
Shirts, blouses, and dresses should have sleeves, and shirttails should be an appropriate length.
Shirts, blouses, dresses, and outerwear should not expose the shoulders, midriff, or cleavage.
Pants/Dresses/Skirts/Sweatpants:
Pants, dresses, skirts, and sweatpants should not be sagging or baggy, and undergarments should never be exposed.
No rips/tears/holes allowed.
Skirts and dresses must reach below the knee.
Pajamas and pajama pants are not allowed.
Leggings are not allowed.
Shorts are not allowed.
Capri pants are not allowed.
Pants must reach the ankles.
School Sanctioned:
School-sanctioned organization wear (spirit wear) may be worn at any time but must be approved by the principal. No homemade/handwritten spirit wear will be allowed.
Coats:
Coats and hoodies must fit the criteria of shirts.
Hoodies may be worn, but the hood part of the hoody cannot be used as a head covering.
Trench coats or long coats may not be worn in the school building during school hours.
Blankets are not allowed.
Shoes:
Shoes are to be worn at all times. House shoes and shoes with wheels are not allowed.
Accessories:
Head coverings (hoods, bandanas, sweatbands, etc.,) and sunglasses are not to be worn in school. Jewelry that may be dangerous is prohibited.
Hats (baseball, cowboy, etc.,) are not allowed to be worn anywhere on campus during school hours.
Electronic devices (cell phones, earbuds, Apple Watches, etc,.) capable of communications are to be turned off and stored during school hours.
Earbuds/headphones are not to be on or visible anytime during the school day.
Students may only access their cell phone in the cafeteria during their lunch period.
Administrative Decisions:
The items specifically cited in this dress code should not be viewed as "all-inclusive." The administration may decide about disruptive items to the educational process and deal with those items accordingly.
Appeals Committee:
All appeals concerning dress code violations will take place at the school level. Each principal will appoint an appeals committee consisting of four (4) staff members. A fifth staff member will be appointed as an alternate to the committee. An appeal for a dress code violation will be made in writing by a parent or legal guardian to the principal or his/her designee within three (3) days of receipt of notice of the violation. The principal (or designee) will arrange a hearing as soon as practical but no later than ten (10) days after receipt of the appeal. After hearing the appeal and reviewing the dress code, the committee shall decide:
To uphold the action of the principal.
To uphold the position of the student/parent that no infraction of the dress code occurred.
The decision shall be made in writing to the parent(s) appealing and to the school’s principal. The decision of the Appeals Committee will be final.