Dress Code

The purpose of the Clover Park School District student dress code is to ensure each student can participate in learning without posing a risk to the health and/or safety of themselves, their peers, or CPSD personnel. We intend to honor the economic challenges faced by many of our families, to recognize the value of cultural expression, and to provide a safe and social-emotionally healthy learning environment for all. 

CPSD requires that student dress and appearance: 

• Contributes to a safe learning environment; and

• Prevents material and substantial disruption of the educational process.

Material and substantial disruption of the educational process is defined under CPSD Policy 3220 and 3220-P1 (Freedom of Expression).

Torso:

Clothing must cover stomach, back, chest and undergarments.

Legs:

Shorts, skirts and dresses must be longer than mid-thigh. Undergarments must be covered.

Feet:

Students must wear footwear that allows quick and safe evacuation drill or emergency circumstances. Activity-specific shoe requirements are allowed (such as for PE classes or school sports), and elementary students will wear safe footwear for PE and recess.

Elementary Dress Code (Grades K-5)

Student appearance and clothing will be appropriate to an elementary school environment and must not present issues regarding health, safety or disruption to the learning environment.

Students will observe modesty, appropriateness and neatness in their clothing and personal appearance.

Specifically:

• Clothing is to be worn as it is designed and intended and worn in alignment with the aforementioned grooming standards.

• The rectangle from shoulders to mid-thigh is to be covered.

• No revealing garments will be worn. Exhibiting midriffs, straps, chests and personal parts of the body is not allowed.

• No clothing will be worn with symbols, signs or words that promote or exhibit gangs, alcohol, slurs, innuendos, cursing, weapons, drugs, tobacco, profanity, nudity or violent behavior.

• Head coverings are permissible providing they do not violate the aforementioned grooming standards.

• Face must be visibly identifiable.

• Religious or cultural head attire is permissible.

• Jewelry that causes a distraction or a safety issue is prohibited.

• Shoes will be appropriate for in- or outside athletic activities. No “flip-flop” sandals or wheeled shoes are allowed.  All sandal-type shoes must have a closed back and closed toes.

School administration, in consultation with their council level supervisor, have the authority to address dress code issues not explicitly mentioned above to maintain a safe, healthy and productive educational environment.  This dress code shall be enforced according to the school’s existing citizenship/discipline policy.

Other Guidelines

Head coverings may not obscure the student’s face. Any permissible head attire must allow the face to be visible to staff and must not interfere with the line of sight of any student of staff. Bandanas may be worn as hair accessories. 

Clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, or displays inappropriate/lewd pictures or writing, displays images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating learning environment based on any protected class and apparel identified by local law enforcement as belonging to or identifying oneself as a member of ay violent or criminal group, regardless of verifiable affiliation is prohibited. 

Jewelry that can pose a safety hazard is prohibited in certain environments (for example, hooped earrings in PE-classes or during recess).

Instructors may add course specific safety measures (for example, requiring closed-toed shoes in a science lab). 

Dress Code Violations 

In questionable cases, the administration reserves the right to make final decisions on appropriateness of all apparel. When it is necessary for staff involvement around a student’s attire, it should be done in a way that preserves student dignity and is least restrictive and disruptive to the student’s school day. The student may: 

• Remove the item immediately if it is not a primary piece of clothing; and/or 

• Change and return to class. 

If the student cannot make the dress code adjustment, the student will be sent to the main office for further assistance. Parents may bring clothes or the office may offer clothing to borrow as resources allow.

If the student continues to violate dress code, CPSD discipline progression will follow.