SANTA BARBARA SECONDARY SCHOOL DISTRICT
DRESS CODE

The general atmosphere of a school must be conducive to learning.  If a student’s general attire or appearance represents a danger to his/her health or welfare or attracts undue attention to the extent that it becomes a disruptive factor in the school, the principal or his/her designee or teacher will ask the student to make the necessary changes.  In the event the change does not take place in the time allowed, the principal or his/her designee will prescribe the necessary action to be taken by the school under the rules and regulations prescribed by the state Education Code and school board policies.  In addition, it is recognized that the school shares with parents a responsibility for teaching its youth appropriateness of dress.  It is a mark of maturity when a student can freely choose appropriate apparel, which still demonstrates individuality.  In the interest of health, safety, cleanliness, decency and decorum among students, the following regulations have been adopted by the Board of Education:

In general, wearing apparel will be determined at the discretion of the parent.  However, at any time when there is evidence that a choice of clothing or a student’s appearance potentially endangers the student’s health or safety, or otherwise interferes with the educational process and mission of the school, the school will exercise its rights and responsibilities to intervene and take corrective action.

• In all matters relating to individual dress and grooming, students are required to exercise good judgment, exhibit responsible behavior and endeavor to reflect respect for themselves, their school and their community.

• Students are expected to follow all school rules governing safety and specialized programs that may require the wearing of protective clothing, safety glasses or other similar requirements.

• Clothing and personal items (backpacks, fanny packs, gym bags, water bottles etc.) shall be free of writing, pictures or any other insignia which are crude, vulgar, profane or sexually suggestive, or gang related and which bear drug, alcohol or tobacco company advertising, promotions and likenesses, or which bear any symbol or insignia that is inflammatory or indicates/advocates hatred based on group membership.

• The wearing of clothing, which represents any group, gang, organization, or philosophy, which advocates violence or disruption, or has any history or violence or disruption of the objectives of the school’s instructional program is unacceptable.

• Hats, caps and other head coverings shall not be worn in Junior/Middle School.

• Clothes must fit properly and must conceal undergarments at all times.  See-through or fish-net fabrics, halter tops, spaghetti straps, off-the-shoulder or low-cut tops and bare midriffs are prohibited.  Shirts must be worn on campus during the school day.  Clothing, which is unduly revealing or attire, which detracts in any way from the educational mission of the school’s instructional program, is unacceptable.

• Coaches and teachers may impose more stringent dress requirements to accommodate the special needs of certain sports and/or classes.

CONSEQUENCES

* Prior to sending students to the office/administration for dress code violations, teachers will talk to students about their dress and         
   seek voluntary compliance with the policy.

* Progressive discipline strategies will be followed including but not limited to:

• Student conference with administration and attire altered
• 1-3 day suspension, attire altered and parent conference