Middle School Dress Code. Please be mindful of the changes/areas of concern are in bold print.
The district’s dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, prevent disruption, and minimize safety hazards. Inasmuch as the aims and purposes of the White Oak Public Schools include the development of good work habits and good citizenship on the part of the students, and since there is a definite relationship between the attainment of such purposes and the effecting of a desirable manner of dress and personal appearance on the part of the students, the board of trustees, on the recommendation of the officers of the student council and faculty, directs the administrative officers of the respective schools of the White Oak system to place in effect the following regulations:

Clothing
Appropriate clothing shall be worn in order to prevent disruption or interference with normal school operations and to promote a businesslike atmosphere in the classroom. It is the philosophy of the White Oak Schools that parents have a responsibility to send students to school neatly groomed and modestly dressed. If the parent gives up this responsibility and permits the student to come to school dressed in an inappropriate manner, or if the student chooses to attend school dressed inappropriately, then the school officials have the right and responsibility to counsel with the student and subsequently with the parent, or take corrective action. The district prohibits any clothing or grooming that, in the principal’s judgment, may reasonably be expected to cause disruption or interference with normal school operations.
If a student is not in compliance with the dress code, parents/guardians may be called and asked to bring a change of clothing. If contact is not made, then the student may be isolated from the student body for the remainder of the day. Repeated violations will result in more severe disciplinary actions.
General
• No clothing shall be worn in a manner for which it was not intended (backwards, inside out, suspenders off the shoulder, sweatshirts over arms, etc.)
• Students must wear appropriate underclothing.
• No clothing shall be worn that exhibits pictures, emblems, or writing that:
– are lewd, vulgar, slanderous, offensive, or depict violence.
– advertise or exploit tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and
drugs or other illegal substances and paraphernalia.
– are sarcastic, demeaning to an individual or group.
– identify with or refer to satanic, cult, or gang activities.

Shirts and Tops
• Shirts and tops worn by both boys and girls must have sleeves unless the shirt or top has a collar. Tank tops, muscle shirts, or shirts with sleeves cut off are not to be worn.
• Clothing that exposes a bare midriff either in a standing position or in motion is inappropriate. Crop tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps, halters and forms of transparent clothing are not allowed.
• Tailored shirts and blouses must be buttoned even if clothing is layered. Boy must have their shirts tucked properly into their pants/trousers.
• T-shirts may not extend below the fingertips in a normal standing position (i.e., below the bottom of shorts or skirts).
Pants, Dresses, Shorts, Skirts
• Length of clothing
– Shorts and Capri pants may be worn. The length of shorts and Capri pants must fall at the knee in a normal standing position. Skirts or dresses are appropriate however, with movement from one classroom setting to another or one activity to another, they may not be practical on a regular school day. Performances, trips to neighboring districts for competition, or classroom presentations may be more in line with wearing a dress/skirt. The length must be such that it does not cause a disruption. (slightly above the knee) Slits on skirts and dresses must be no shorter than the bottom of the fingertips when in a normal standing position.
– Skorts (combination skirt/short) must meet the length requirement of shorts and Capri pants.
• Cut of clothing
– Strapless dresses, sundresses, or any apparel that is low cut in the front and/or back is prohibited.
• Fit of clothing
– Pants and other clothing must be of appropriate size. No sagging, baggy, or low riders will be permitted. Belts should be worn.
– Pants must be worn at the waistline and must completely cover underclothing.
– Excessively tight clothing is unacceptable (i.e., spandex tights, shorts or pants and excessively tight dresses and skirts.)

• Types of clothing
– Clothing with holes, intentionally torn or ripped clothing (shorts, pants, shirts) is inappropriate and will not be permitted
– NOTE: Jeans/pants designed with holes /frayed are not acceptable attire to wear to school and may not be worn.
– Cut-offs must have a neatly trimmed or finished hem.
– Boxer shorts or pajama bottoms (flannel or otherwise) are not permitted.
Shoes
• All students shall wear shoes at all times for safety and health reasons. Students should wear socks when appropriate.
• Shoes must have a secure fit at the front and heel. No open toe shoes.
• House shoes are not allowed.
• Steel-toed boots or shoes are prohibited.
• Flip flops are not allowed at anytime on campus.
• Rollerblades, skateboards, skates, or retractable roller shoes are not allowed anytime on campus or school sponsored activities.

GROOMING AND HYGIENE
Students shall follow appropriate personal hygiene practices relative to cleanliness and grooming.
Hair
• Hair will be neat, clean and well groomed. Boys’ hair will not extend below the eyebrows, below the earlobes or below the top of a tee shirt. A variety of hairstyles is acceptable if the following extremes are avoided:
– Geometric or unusual patterns shaved or cut in the hair
– unnatural color or color variation in hair. (e.g. scarlet, purple, blue, red, green)
– Ponytails or braids (for males), spiked hair, Mohawk, rattails
– Styles that attract undue attention.
Facial Hair
• Beards, goatees and mustaches are prohibited. Sideburns must be neatly trimmed above the bottom of the earlobe. Students must be clean-shaven at all times.
Make-up
• Cosmetics or make-up shall be applied in such a manner that users shall not appear conspicuous or attract undue attention.
Tattoos
• Permanent tattoos may not be visible during the school day.
• Writing of any kind on the body is inappropriate and not allowed.
Hats, Caps, Sunglasses
• Hats, caps, bandannas, and other headgear of any kind shall not be worn inside any school building. These items should be put away before entering the building each day and not carried into the classrooms during the school day.
• Sunglasses may not be worn unless as prescribed by a physician.
Jewelry
• Wearing of heavy chains or spiked jewelry is unacceptable and not allowed.
• Male students shall not wear earrings, earstuds, spacers, etc.
• No body piercing jewelry will be allowed.
• No jewelry shall be worn that exhibits pictures, emblems, or writing that:
– are lewd, vulgar, slanderous, offensive, or depict violence.
– advertise or exploit tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and
drugs or other illegal substances and paraphernalia
– are sarcastic, demeaning to an individual or group.
• – identify with or refer to satanic, cult, or gang activities.

The administrators and teachers shall be responsible for the enforcement of the dress code. Teachers/coaches/sponsors may define appropriate dress for school sponsored trips and extracurricular activities. Students who violate those standards may be removed or
excluded from the activity for a period determined by the principal or sponsor and may be subject to other disciplinary action.
Final decisions on the appropriateness of school dress rest with the campus administration. If the principal determines that a student’s grooming violates the dress code, the student shall be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school. If not corrected, the student shall be assigned to on-campus suspension for the remainder of the day or until the problem is corrected. An unexcused absence will be given for the classes missed. Appropriate disciplinary action will follow the tardy policy guidelines. The principal may suspend regulations of the dress code for special events, which are held as part of the academic or extracurricular programs for their respective campuses.