1. BOARD POLICY
1.1 Sevier District schools are to provide a safe, wholesome, healthy educational environment where academic learning, personal development, and a sense of pride and accomplishment can flourish. Part of the educational process is learning self-discipline and appropriate behavior. Therefore, it is the policy of the Board to enforce all Utah laws related to conduct on school premises and school buses and to see that students are taught to preserve public property including all school facilities and equipment.
1.2 The Board also recognizes that dress and grooming seriously affect the behavior of students attending school and may also impact sanitation and safety conditions. Because experience has demonstrated that the learning atmosphere is improved when students both look and act appropriately, the Board hereby authorizes the establishment of standards of student conduct, dress, and grooming.
1.3 The Board delegates to the Administration responsibility to see that each school adheres to the conduct, dress, and grooming standards established by the Board in the guidelines of this policy. Further, all district and school staff members shall have a share of responsibility in seeing that these standards are implemented and enforced in classrooms, in school buildings, on school grounds, on school buses, at school activities, and other occasions as appropriate.
1.4 For the purpose of this policy clothing includes anything worn by the student including hats, head coverings, and jewelry.
2. ADMINISTRATION POLICY
2.1 The Administration shall implement Board policy according to the following guidelines:
2.1.2 School Dress and Grooming
Students shall dress in a manner that shows respect for the educational environment and is befitting the day’s activities. Students’ clothing and jewelry must not present a health or safety hazard or distraction, which would disrupt the educational mission. Disruption is defined as reactions by other individuals to the clothing or adornment, which causes the teacher/administrator to lose the attention of the students, to modify or cease instructional activities, or to deal with student confrontations or complaints.
2.1.2.1 Items that disrupt the educational mission shall not be allowed. Personal items such as clothing, paraphernalia, jewelry, backpacks, fanny packs, gym bags, water bottles, etc., shall be free of writing, pictures, or any other insignias, which are crude, vulgar, profane, violent, or sexually suggestive.
2.1.2.2 Items which bear advertising, promotions and likeness of tobacco, vaping, alcohol, or drugs or which are contrary to the educational mission shall not be allowed.
2.1.2.3 All students shall wear clean clothing. Clothing, jewelry, accessories and piercings which are so conspicuous, extreme, or odd that they may draw undue attention, disrupt, or tend to disrupt, interfere with or pose a health or safety issue to the learning atmosphere at the school, shall not be allowed.
2.1.2.4 Students shall not wear clothes that are cut off, or immodest, e.g., shorts, mini skirts, bare midriffs, halter-tops, spaghetti straps, tank shirts, or similar clothing. Clothing shall cover the midriff, underwear, back, and cleavage at all times. Skirts, dresses and shorts must be at least mid-thigh length or longer when seated.
2.1.2.5 Hats and other head coverings will be allowed at the discretion of individual school administrations. If allowed by a school administration, hats and other head coverings will be allowed in the classroom at the discretion of the teacher. Hats and head coverings which are so conspicuous, extreme, or odd in color or style that draw undue attention, disrupt, or tend to disrupt or interfere with the learning atmosphere at the school, pose a danger to self or others, obstruct the vision of the student or others, or limit the ability of others to identify the student shall not be allowed. Students may be asked to remove hats and head coverings in places or special events where they may be inappropriate.
2.1.2.6 Shoes shall be worn at all times that ensure personal safety and hygiene.
2.1.2.7 Gang-related clothing, colors, and paraphernalia shall not be allowed in schools or activities. School officials will determine what constitutes “gang” clothing, colors, and paraphernalia after consultation with law enforcement agencies as needed according to the guidelines set forth in Policy 3075 A – Gangs, Gangs Participation, Weapons Possession.
2.1.2.8 Military clothing or insignias which are part of the official uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces are not to be worn except where authorized by law. (Wearing of the military uniform is regulated by provisions of Title 10, USC § 771-772, and Army Regulation 670-1 § 29-4).
2.1.2.9 School officials may require students to wear certain types of clothing for health or safety reasons in connection with certain specialized activities.
2.1.2.10 All students shall maintain their hair, mustaches, sideburns, and beards in a clean, well-groomed manner. Hair, which is so conspicuous, extreme, or odd in color or style that draws undue attention, disrupts, or tends to disrupt or interfere with the learning atmosphere at the school, shall not be allowed.
2.1.2.11 Body piercing or tattoos that would interrupt school decorum or adversely affect the educational process must be covered or removed.
2.2 School Dress and Grooming – Graduation
In order to maintain dignity and decorum at high school commencements, students participating in commencement exercises are subject to the
dress and grooming standards articulated in section 2 of this policy and wear the prescribed cap and gown during the ceremony* without inappropriate ornamentation or decoration. Students must wear modest clothing beneath the gown. Personal items such as clothing, accessories or jewelry that draws undue attention or detract from the dignity and decorum of the occasion shall not be allowed. Mantles, cords, insignias or medals signifying achievement, honor or recognition are restricted to awards issued and approved for display at graduation by the local high school. It is at the discretion of the School Administration to determine whether or not additional ornamentation or decoration is appropriate.
* “During the ceremony” refers to the entire duration of the commencement program, from opening processional to completion of the recessional.
Approved 6/22/04
Revised: 08/09/17
Revised: 05/13/20
Revised: 06/23/21