STUDENT DRESS CODE
In order to promote an orderly and safe learning environment while preparing students for success in the world of work, dress guidelines have been established. Parents and students are responsible for appropriate school dress. This means that a student's dress, grooming, and appearance, including hairstyle, jewelry, and makeup shall be safe, appropriate, and shall not disrupt or interfere with the educational process. Dress that is disruptive, distracting, revealing, or interferes with the educational process will not be acceptable. Administrators will have the final authority to determine if a student's clothing is appropriate for school, is safe, or whether it will create a climate that is distracting to learning and instruction. Principals, faculty, and staff members will enforce the following dress code:
The Appomattox County Public Schools Dress Code prohibits the wearing of any of the following:
• Clothing or accessories that advertise, glorify, or symbolize any illegal substance, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, or illegal acts,
• Clothing or accessories that contain vulgar, derogatory, violent, or suggestive diagrams, pictures, words or slogans,
• Clothing or accessories with gang insignia or symbols,
• Clothing that exposes cleavage, private parts, the midriff, or undergarments, or that is otherwise sexually provocative, is prohibited. Examples of prohibited clothing include, but are not limited to: sagging or low-cut pants, low-cut necklines that show cleavage, tube tops, halter tops, backless blouses or blouses with only ties in the back, clothing constructed of see-through materials,
• Dresses, skirts, shorts, and skorts shorter than five inches above the knees,
• Slits, splits, cuts, frays, and holes in clothing so that undergarments or bare skin is exposed that is five inches above knees,
• Picks, combs, or brushes in hair,
• Hats, sun visors, and sunglasses (unless prior arrangements are made with the administration for medical or religious reasons),
• Heavy chains worn as jewelry or belts and free-swinging chains. This includes wallet chains exceeding six inches,
• Spiked jewelry, clothing, and accessories including fish hooks,
• One-piece pajamas,
• Blankets, capes and flags.
Note: Shoes must be worn at all times and be appropriate for instructional activities.
All teachers and staff are expected to enforce the dress code policy throughout the day.
Student Dress Code and Special Circumstances:
• Some classroom activities and curriculum may require specific dress guidelines (e.g., physical education). Any such changes will be explained by the teacher and addressed in the course syllabus/parent letter.
• Administrators, coaches, and sponsors may suspend portions of the dress code and allow students to wear other appropriate attire at special activities. Such activities may be related to field days, theme days, field trips, physical education, cheerleading, athletics, and band.
Consequences (One or More May Apply)
• Option to alter the inappropriate dress to meet the ACPS Dress Code with alternate attire or calling parents to bring appropriate attire
• Student conference
• Parent contact
• Referral to school administrator
• Option to offer alternate attire to meet the ACPS Dress Code or call parent to bring appropriate clothing
Repeated willful ACPS Dress Code violations may be subject to further disciplinary action at the administrator's discretion.