Standard Dress Policy for
All Haywood County Schools
Effective August 1, 2008

Haywood County School System recognizes and understands that there is a strong correlation between appropriate attire and a positive learning environment.  To help create not only the best learning environment, but also the safest, the following expectations for student dress have been established. 

All students will comply with the Student Dress Code in the Student Handbook.  Students who fail to wear the proper apparel will be required to wear an alternate uniform provided by the school.  In addition, their parents will be notified and receive a warning by letter for the first offense.  Students who fail to wear the proper apparel correctly will receive disciplinary action (e.g., Thursday School, ISS) as applicable. 

The basic dress must be solid khaki, navy, or black pants, shorts, or skirts.  Denim is not allowed.  Shirts and blouses must have a collar and be solid white, light pink, light blue, gray, purple, or a combination of purple and white. 

All clothing must be free of holes and rips.  No see-through clothing will be allowed, and all clothing must be sized to fit.  Denim is not allowed. 

A.       Shirts, Blouses, Sweaters

·   Shirts and blouses must have a collar – either a polo shirt or a dress shirt with a collar.

·   Boys’ shirts must be tucked in.  Over-blousing of shirts is not allowed.

·   Shirts, blouses, and sweaters may have one small design or logo that can be covered with a student I. D. card.

·   Vests, cardigan style sweaters, crew-neck sweaters, and sweatshirts must be (1) waist length, (2) worn over a collared shirt, and (3) one of the approved school colors with no writing or logo larger than the student I. D. card.

·   Hoodies are permitted but hoods may not be pulled over the head indoors. 

B.       Pants, Shorts, Skirts

·    Pants/shorts/skirts must be worn at the waist.

·    A belt must be visible and must be worn if the garment has belt loops. (Boys)

·    Belt buckles must be no larger than a student I. D. card. (Boys/Girls)

·    Sagging, bagging, or skin-tight fit is not allowed.

·    Pant legs will not touch the floor and will not be frayed or cut.

·    Writing, studs, or design other than one small brand logo no larger than a student I. D. card are not allowed.

·    Shorts must be knee length.

·    Skirts must be knee length or longer.

C.       Footwear

·    Footwear is required and must be safe and appropriate for indoor and outdoor activity.

·    Footwear must be laced, tied, strapped, or hooked if applicable.

·    Spiked heels, bedroom slippers, or house-shoes are not permitted. 

D.       Clothing and accessories such as backpacks, jewelry, tattoos, brands, and notebooks must not:

·    Contain racial or ethnic slurs or symbols.

·    Suggest gang affiliations.

·    Be vulgar, obscene, subversive, disruptive of the school environment, or derogatory to any individual.

·    Contain sexually suggestive language or images.

·    Contain promotions of products that students may not legally buy, such as alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, controlled substances, weapons, or weapon products. 

E.       The following are not allowed:

·    Large, long, and/or heavy chains.

·    Studded, spiked, or chained accessories.

·    Sunglasses, except for health purposes (A prescription will be required.).

·    Facial jewelry (e.g., tongue ring, eyebrow piercing, etc.), designer lenses, grills.

·    Head apparel, hair rollers, hair picks and/or combs worn in the hair.

·    Excessive make-up/facial drawing.

·    Distracting or unusual hairstyle and/or color.

·    Oversized coats, overcoats, and trench coats. 

F.        Extracurricular activity uniforms may not be worn during the school day. 

G.       ROTC uniforms and Career-Technical student organization uniforms may be worn on designated days approved by the principal. 

H.       The principal may allow exceptions for school-wide programs or special classroom activities.

*    Please note amendments to dress code policy at Anderson Early Childhood Center and Haywood Elementary: Students at Anderson and Haywood Elementary are not required to wear belts and are allowed to wear elastic waist pants and shorts. These students are also not required to wear their shirts tucked in and are not allowed to wear flip flops. Haywood Elementary students are also allowed to wear “skorts” to school