Dress Code Policy

The Jim Thorpe Area School District is of the opinion that proper grooming and dress relates to healthy school attitudes and the best learning environment. Good grooming and dress are the responsibility of both the parent and the student. Proper attire is to be worn by all students; therefore, student dress should always be in good taste and appropriate for the business of learning.


Jim Thorpe Area School District's concern for the health, safety and well-being of all students extends to student dress. We, therefore, helpfully offer these guidelines. Under State guidelines, schools have the responsibility to take action against improper dress which:

  • Is disruptive to the school program

  • Is a health hazard

  • Is damaging to school property, equipment, or reputation

  • Is obviously or blatantly indecent or distracting


Our guidelines indicate that all clothing and accessories be clean, neat, in good taste, and age-appropriate. Attire should not be extreme to the extent that it focuses attention on the wearer. The following is a list of inappropriate articles of clothing and accessories that are expressly forbidden. This list is not inclusive and the sole discretion rests with the district to decide on a case-by-case basis.

Headwear

  • Hats, hoods, bandanas, dew rags, etc . must be removed upon entering the building.

  • Bandanas may not be worn as headbands.

  • Headbands are to be worn behind the ear to hold back hair and not along the forehead.

  • Sunglasses are not permitted to be worn inside the school building unless required by an attending physician.

  • Personal grooming devices must be stored in your locker, purse, or bookbag.


Tops/Shirts/Blouses/Sweatshirts/Sweaters (Upper body wear)

  • All tops should be appropriately sized.

  • It is preferred that all shirts be tucked in. However, any shirt not tucked in should not extend more than 12 inches from the natural waist of the child.

  • Only the top 2 buttons can be worn unbuttoned, and if buttons of the shirt do not begin at the base of the neck, then all buttons must be secured.

  • All shirts must have sleeves that cover the shoulders and not be see-through.

  • Bare midriffs and low-cut tops are prohibited. When sitting and leaning forward, midriff and underwear should not be visible. After raising your arms, if your bare midriff is not visible, the top's length is appropriate for school.

  • Artwork on clothing will not be obscene, sexual, drug/alcohol, or gang-related.

  • Cleavage should not be showing.

  • Hooded tops are permitted but the hood must stay down. If the hood is on the head, it will be a violation of the dress code.

  • Tank tops, camisoles, and muscle shirts are not permitted unless covered by an approved top.


Pants/Skirts/Shorts 

  • Pants, skirts, and shorts must be worn around the natural waistline and not expose the midriff or underwear. Use this simple test: Sit in a chair and lean forward.

  • Underwear or an exposed backside should not be visible.

  • All clothing must be appropriately sized for the child; that is, they must be no more than one regular size larger or smaller than the student measures.

  • Skirts and shorts extend beyond the fingertips.

  • Slits, tears, frays, holes, and excessive adornments are not permitted.

  • No pajamas or flannel pants are to be worn.


Footwear

  • Sneakers or shoes must be worn at all times.

  • No backless shoes may be worn.

  • Footwear with wheels is not permitted in school.

  • If footwear is designed to have laces, the laces must be in the foot wear .


Piercings

  • Accessories/jewelry worn in piercing may be worn in the ears.

  • Flat nose studs (non-protruding) may be worn in the nose but all other forms of piercings are not permitted on the nose.

  • Accessories/jewelry in all other pierced areas such as brow, tongue, or lip, must be removed. Spike earrings are not permitted.


Miscellaneous

  • Chains, studs, or other exposed metal that can cause personal injury or damage to school property are not permitted.

  • Outerwear must be placed in lockers, coat closets, or bookbags. 

  • Purses, pocketbooks, wristlets, or any other type of handbags are not permitted to be carried into the classroom during school hours.

  • Students are NOT permitted to wear wallet chains of any length (if found they may be confiscated by administration).


Any item of clothing or jewelry that displays hate messages or is intended to harass, threaten, intimidate, or demean an individual or group of individuals because of sex, color, race, religion, disability, national origin or sexual orientation and which, in the judgment of the administration, has substantial risk of disrupting the learning environment and/or school operation will not be tolerated. 

Discipline Consequences of Dress Code Violations
Parents must be mindful that dress, which may be distractive or disruptive to the learning process, will not be tolerated. Any student not following the dress code will remain in the main office until they are compliant with the dress policy. Any student violating this dress code will be considered insubordinate and dealt with according to the following penalties:

  • First Offense: The student will be brought into the building office or designated area and be asked to replace the inappropriate garment. A phone call to the student's home will be made if a replacement garment is required. The parent will be provided information on the first offense through a written notice or telephone call from the principal/assistant principal or designee.

  • Second Offense: The student will be brought into the building office or designated area and be asked to replace the inappropriate garment. A phone call to the student's home will be made if a replacement garment is required. The parent will be provided information on the second offense through a written notice or telephone call from the principal/assistant principal or designee. The student will be issued an afterschool detention.

  • Third Offense: The student will be brought into the building office or designated area and be asked to replace the inappropriate garment. A phone call to the student's home may be made if a replacement garment is required. The parent will be provided information on the third offense through a written notice or telephone call from the principal/assistant principal or designee. The parent will also be notified that the next incident will result in an in-school suspension. The student will be issued a detention.


Repeated violations of the standard dress code shall be treated as disruptive behavior as noted in the discipline policy. If a student is assigned an in-school suspension, then the student must come to school in their approved dress. A student will receive further disciplinary action if they come to in-school suspension out of their approved dress.


School administrators have the final responsibility for interpretation and enforcement. School administrators may permit students to dress outside the parameters of the dress code guidelines on planned occasions. Examples may include but are not limited to Spirit Days, Picture Day, Incentive Days, etc.