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Dress Code PreK-12

A. Safety

Safety and security require that, at the middle school and high school levels, IDs are part of the student dress code. At these levels IDs must be worn and visible at all times. Students may not conceal their identity. Violations will be dealt with in a serious manner. 

Masking under Board policy 8450.01 is not applicable to this section.

B. Acceptability

Final decision as to acceptability of attire rests with the school administration. We acknowledge there are specialized programs within the district and those programs may require attire outside of the designated dress code. All exceptions must be approved by school administration. 

C. Philosophy

Student dress codes need to support equitable educational access and not reinforce gender stereotypes. Student dress codes and administrative enforcement should not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, household income, gender identity or cultural observance. Our LCS Dress Code is designed to address recent controversy and conversation both across the nation and locally about overreaching and detrimental dress codes for some PreK-12 school students. 

D. Values & Beliefs

Our values and beliefs are: 

  • All students should be able to dress comfortably for school without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming. 
  • All students and staff must understand that they are responsible for managing their own personal "distractions" without regulating individual students' clothing/self-expression. 
  • Teachers should be able to focus on teaching without the additional and often uncomfortable burden of dress code enforcement. 
  • Students should not face unnecessary barriers to school attendance. 
  • Reasons for conflict and inconsistent discipline must be minimized whenever possible.
  • Staff should refer all disciplinary concerns to the building administration and should not approach students directly regarding concerns/violations

E. Goals of our Student Dress Code

Our student dress code aims to accomplish several goals:

  • Maintain a safe learning environment in classes where protective or supportive clothing is needed, such as chemistry/biology (eye or body) or PE (athletic attire/shoes). 
  • Allow students to wear clothing of their choice that is comfortable. 
  • Allow students to wear clothing that expresses the gender with which they identify
  • Allow students to wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination. 
  • Prevent students from wearing clothing with offensive images or language, including profanity, hate speech, and pornography. 
  • Prevent students from wearing clothing with images or language depicting or advocating violence or the use of alcohol or drugs. 
  • Ensure that all students are treated equitably regardless of gender/gender identification, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, body type/size, religion, and personal style. 

F. Dress Code Basics

The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and parents/guardians. The District and each school within are responsible for seeing that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, and that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student. Students should be given the most choice possible in how they dress for school. Restrictions are necessary to support the overall educational goals of the district.

1. Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times. Clothes must be worn in a way such that genitals, buttocks, and nipples are covered with opaque material. 

2. Students Must Wear: 

  • Shirt
  • Bottom: pants/sweatpants/shorts/skirt/dress/leggings 
  • Shoes: activity-specific shoe requirements are permitted (for example for sports)

High school courses with curricular attire (professionalism, public speaking, job readiness) may include assignment-specific dress, but should not focus on covering of the body or promoting culturally-specific attire. 

 3. Students May Not Wear: 

  • Violent language or images. Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity) or the use of the same. 
  • Hate speech, profanity, pornography. 
  • Language or images that create a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class. 
  • Visible underwear. Visible waistbands or straps on undergarments worn under other clothing are not a violation. 
  • Sunglasses inside of the building
  • Crop tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps or bathing suits (except for aquatics)
  • Hats/headwear that conceal the student’s identity 
  • Hoods inside of the building

With thanks to Oregon NOW Model Dress Code, 2016

BOE approved 2/22/22