The Ocean Gate Board of Education believes that an effective instructional program requires an orderly, school environment. The effectiveness of the educational program is, in part, reflected by the student’s dress.

The board of education believes that appropriate dress is necessary for safety, order, and discipline. The goal of appropriate dress is for students to assume and accept responsibility for their own dress and the consequences of inappropriate dress. The board of education expects students to dress appropriately for their level of maturity, with proper regard for themselves and other students, and the educational purpose underlying all school activities.

Implementation

A. General Guidelines:

1. The student dress policy will be distributed to students, parents, and staff each year;
2. Parents and teachers will be asked to review this policy with students;
3. The teaching staff will make every attempt to resolve the dress policy violations at the classroom level.

B. Specific Guidelines

The Ocean Gate School District considers the following as examples of inappropriate dress that may impact on the safety, order, and discipline in the school or be disruptive to the educational environment of the school:

1. Shirts

a. Shirts with advertising or symbols that may be objectionable;
b. See-through shirts or blouses or bare midriffs.

2. Skirts/Shorts

Short skirts or shorts. Length of skirts and shorts may not be shorter than the fingertip length of the student while standing upright.

3. Pants

a. Pants that drag on the ground;
b. Pants that fall below the waist showing undergarments.

4. Hats

Hats and sweatbands worn indoors.

5. Shoes

a. Flip-flops;
b. Shoes with high heels;
c. Platform sneakers for gym class.

6. Outerwear

Coats, and like, normally worn outdoors for warmth, except under conditions which warrant such apparel.

7. Glasses

a. Glasses other than prescription;
b. Sunglasses in class.

8. Accessories

a. Metal or chain belts or wallet chains;
b. Spiked bracelets and collars.

9. Physical Appearance

a. Colored hairspray;
b. Makeup;
c. Body jewelry and/or tattoos.

C. Regalia and/or Symbols

a. Regalia denoting gang affiliation or conveying messages that cause disruption to the learning environment;
b. Symbols which may disrupt the orderly operation of the school and/or activities;
c. Articles of clothing displaying any message, which directly or indirectly relates to gangs or services which are prohibited by law to minors, such as alcohol, tobacco, and controlled dangerous substances.

D. Compliance Issues

Students shall be considered compliant with this policy in the following instances:

a. When wearing a button, armband, or other accoutrement to exercise the right to freedom of expression, unless the button, armband or other accoutrement is in violation of the prohibitions contained in this policy.
b. When wearing the uniform of a nationally recognized youth organization, such as the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts on regular meeting days.
c. When wearing the requirement attire of their religion or sincerely held religious beliefs.
d. When an authorized school activity, such as band, etc., requires different attire, but only upon the direction of the faculty advisor of the activity.

Consequences for Student Dress Policy Infractions

The chief school administrator or designee will determine whether any disciplinary action will be taken. When it is necessary for the chief school administrator to institute disciplinary action, the following procedures will be instituted:

A. First Offense:

Verbal reprimand. Request to change inappropriate attire shall be made to the student and/or parent(s).

B. Second Offense:

Student will receive one (1) day of after school detention. Request to change inappropriate attire shall be made to the student and parent(s) by the chief school administrator.

C. Third Offense:

Out of school suspension of the student by the chief school administrator. Inappropriate attire shall be changed and the parent(s) shall meet with the chief school administrator prior to students return to school.

Adopted: October 18, 2000
Reviewed/Revised: November 2012
Readopted: November 28, 2012
NJSBA Review/Update: October 2017
Reviewed:

Key Words

Dress, Grooming, Attire

Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A.11-1 General mandatory powers and duties

Cross References; *5131 Student Conduct and Discipline
*5142 Student Safety

*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.