547 Policy: Student Dress and Appearance

Continue to Guideline 547.1: Richfield Dual Language School Uniform Dress

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to enhance the education of students by establishing expectations of clothing, appearance, and accessories, as related to educational goals and community standards. This policy includes after school and community education programs for students.

II. DEFINITIONS

Headgear is defined as anything worn on the head.  Headgear includes but is not limited to hats, scarfs, hoodies, bandanas, and other forms of headwear.

III. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

A. It is the policy of Richfield Public Schools to encourage students to be dressed appropriately for school activities and in keeping with community standards.  This is a joint responsibility of the student and the student’s parent/guardian(s).

B. Appropriate clothing includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Clothing that covers all undergarments and/or covers all private parts.  Tops, bottoms, and shoes are required to be worn.

2. Clothing worn for medical, cultural, or religious observances are allowed.

3. Headgear is allowed provided it does not impede the student’s ability to engage in learning.

4. Clothing and footwear that does not create a health or safety hazard.

5. Clothing and footwear appropriate for the activity (e.g. physical education, the classroom, science labs, field trips, extracurricular activities, etc.).

C. Inappropriate clothing includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Clothing that does not cover all private parts and/or does not cover all undergarments, with the exception of visible straps/bands, which are allowable.

2. Apparel promoting products or activities that are illegal for use by minors.

3. Emblems, badges, symbols, signs, words, objects or pictures on clothing or jewelry that communicate a message that is racist, sexist, or otherwise derogatory to a protected group, are known to evidence gang membership or affiliation, show nudity, or approve, advance or provoke any form of religious, racial or sexual harassment and/or violence against other individuals as defined in School Board Policy 103: Harassment Prohibition.

4. Any apparel or footwear that could damage school property. 

5. Any headgear and/or hair accessories that create a barrier to the student’s ability to hear and/or engage in learning.

D. It is not the intention of this policy to infringe on the rights of students to express political, religious, philosophical, or similar opinions by wearing apparel on which such messages are stated.  Such messages are acceptable as long as they are not lewd, vulgar, obscene, defamatory, profane, do not advocate violence or harassment against others or do not create a substantial disruption of the learning environment.

E. It is the intention of this policy to allow all students across all identities and body types to dress in a way that makes them feel comfortable while at school regardless of how much of their bodies they choose to expose, as long as it is in accordance with the expectations of this policy.  

IV. ACCESSORIES, TATTOOS AND OTHER ITEMS

A. Items that students carry with them at school, such as backpacks, bags, water bottles, cases for electronics, and other items must also be appropriate. These items may not promote products or activities that are illegal for use by minors, and they may not have any inappropriate emblems, badges, symbols, signs, words, objects or pictures, as defined in III.C.3.

B. Tattoos that promote products or activities that are illegal for use by minors, or that have any inappropriate emblems, badges, symbols, signs, words, objects or pictures, as defined in III.C.3 must be covered.

C. Headphones and earbuds are only allowed to be worn at certain times while at school. Each RPS school has specific rules about when personal electronic devices such as these may be worn and/or used.

V. UNIFORM DRESS

A. The superintendent may authorize uniform dress guidelines for an individual school or program, provided that the guidelines reflect involvement of the school community, take into consideration the financial ability of students to purchase uniforms, and allow for exemptions upon parent request.  

B. Extracurricular activities may require uniforms and/or costumes for competitions and performances. The provisions of this policy also apply to practices and meetings for extracurricular activities (e.g. wearing clothing that is appropriate for the activity during track or swim practice), and activity coaches will be trained on this policy.

C. The administration may recommend a form of dress considered appropriate for a specific event and communicate the recommendation to students and parents/guardians.

D. An organized student group may recommend a form of dress for students considered appropriate for a specific event and make such recommendation to the administration for approval.

VI. SANCTIONS

When, in the judgment of the administration, a student’s appearance, accessories, or mode of dress interferes with or disrupts the educational process or school activities, or poses a threat to the health or safety of the student or others, the student will be directed to make modifications.  Parents/guardians will be notified.

 

Legal References:            

U. S. Const., amend. I

Tinker v. Des Moines Indep. Sch. Dist., 393 U.S. 503, 89 S.Ct. 733, 21 L.Ed.2d 731 (1969)

Stephenson v. Davenport Community School District, 110 F.3d 1303 (8th Cir. 1997)

Harper v. Poway Unified Sch. Dist., 445 F.3d 1166 (9th Cir. 2006)

Hicks v. Halifax County Board of Educ., 93 F.Supp.2d 649 (E.D.N.C. 1999)

McIntire v. Bethel School, I.S.D. No. 3, 804 F.Supp. 1415, 78 Educ. L.Rep. 828 (W.D. Okla. 1992)

Olesen v. Board of Educ. of Sch. Dist. No. 228, 676 F.Supp. 820, 44 Educ. L. Rep. 205 (N.D. Ill. 1987)

 

Cross References:            

Policy 103: Harassment Prohibition

Policy 541: Student Behavior

Policy 586: Gender Inclusion

 

RATIFIED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: August 20, 2007

REVISED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: July 15, 2019; December 4, 2023; November 4, 2024