Student Dress - 3224

Preserving an environment conducive to learning world class skills, assuring the safety and well-being of all students, and promoting an atmosphere appropriate for the serious work of learning are primary concerns of the board.  To address these concerns the board directs individual schools and alternative programs to adopt, publish, and implement a student dress code.  Each school or alternative program shall obtain student, staff, and parental input prior to developing and implementing its student dress code or when considering changes to it.

Students in the Federal Way Public Schools are expected to dress in a manner that reflects pride and respect for themselves and their schools and is appropriate for the serious work of learning.  It is generally expected that student dress shall be clean and appropriate for the activity in which the student is engaged.  The following shall be prohibited by each school’s or alternative program’s student dress code:

• Clothing presenting a reasonable expectation of a  material and substantial disruption of the educational process, damage to school property, or a health or safety hazard.
• Clothing displaying obscene or sexual words, pictures, messages or innuendoes.
• Clothing displaying drug or alcohol-related words, pictures, messages, or innuendoes.
• Pajamas, slippers, halter tops or any shirt that is short enough to expose the stomach, pants that are unusually low riding and are worn low on the hips revealing under garments, or shorts or skirts shorter than finger tip length.
• Clothing which symbolizes gang membership or which  displays gang-related words, symbols, messages, or pictures.   

A school’s dress code may include the requirement that students wear uniforms and/or identification badges.

All staff shall be responsible for consistently and equitably enforcing their school’s student dress code.  Students whose manner of dress violates the school’s or alternative program’s dress code shall be asked to make appropriate corrections.  Students who fail to comply shall be subject to discipline.  Parents shall be notified.

The Superintendent shall establish procedures providing guidance to students and staff regarding appropriate student dress in school or while engaging in extracurricular activities.

Cross References:
Board Policy 3220 Freedom of Expression

Legal References:
RCW 28A.320.140  Schools with Special Standards
WAC 180-40-215  Student Rights
WAC 180-40-225  School district rules defining misconduct

Adoption Date: 6/27/06