Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services

July, 2007

Annually

Metro Nashville Public Schools is committed to providing a safe and secure school environment. In addition, a proper learning atmosphere is essential for the education of each student.

MNPS Standard School Attire is an effective strategy to promote enhanced student appearance and behavior, which are key ingredients of a positive learning environment in which student safety and achievement are the highest priorities.

In addition to the districtwide Standard School Attire, individual schools may designate up to four additional solid colors for acceptable styles of shirts.

Students’ dress and grooming will be clean and neat. Clothes and appearance must be safe and not disruptive to the educational process.

1. 2. Students will wear clothing of appropriate size. Appropriate sizes are defined as no more than one size smaller or one size larger than the student’s actual clothing size. Pants, shorts, capri pants, skorts or skirts must fit at the waist and must not sag.

1. 3. The district will not require specific brands of clothing. No writing is allowed on clothing except logos or manufacturer trademarks which may be no larger than two inches. School logos are permitted.

1. 4. All clothing must be hemmed. No drawstrings, cut-offs or rolled-up cuffs are allowed on pants, capri pants, shorts or skirts.

1. 2. Pants, shorts, skirts and skorts with elastic waistbands must be worn at the waist and do not require a belt. All other pants, shorts, skirts and skorts must be worn at the waist, and those with belt loops must be worn with a belt.

1. 3. Shorts, jumpers, dresses, skirts or skorts must extend below the fingertip.

1. 2. All blouses and shirts should be properly buttoned and tucked inside pants or skirts. Chests and midriffs must be covered.

1. 3. T-shirts with or without sleeves may be worn as undergarments. They must be solid white, navy blue or one of the additional solid colors approved by the school and may not display any writing, pictures or images.

A single blazer, suit jacket, vest, sweater, or cardigan is permitted as a garment that may be worn over the Standard Attire top. These garments must be sized according to the General Requirements section of this policy. The garments must also be in one of the district- or school-approved solid colors and must be worn over a shirt with a collar.

1. 2. In addition, principals will have the authority to approve occasional variations from Standard School Attire for particular groups of students. For example, athletic team members or cheerleaders may wear their sports-top layered over a collared or turtleneck shirt, or members of school clubs may wear club-related or school-sponsored T-shirts over a collared or turtleneck shirt. Such attire will be tucked in at the waist whenever practical as determined by the principal. Standard Attire pants, shorts, skirts, capri pants or skorts must be worn at all times.

Footwear must be worn at all times. Laces on shoes or sneakers must be tied. No house shoes are allowed.

The principal of each school will establish procedures and maintain a minimum inventory of required student clothing to provide emergency clothing to students who do not have the required Standard Attire. Funding to support this resource may be drawn from community donations and other sources available to the school.

In addition, MNPS will coordinate with schools, businesses, religious organizations and community groups to open clothing banks for receipt of donated School Attire. While MNPS is not required to provide such Attire to students because of low-income status, the donated items will be made available at no cost to students who demonstrate financial need. The identity of the child or family accessing the source because of their financial status will not be disclosed.

1. 2. Blouses or shirts without buttons along the front opening are not acceptable as the primary Standard Attire shirt.

1. 3. Outerwear such as raincoats, windbreakers and cold-weather jackets and coats may not be worn in the school.

1. 4. Torn clothing is prohibited. In addition, no see-through clothing is to be worn.

1. 5. Logos or manufacturers' trademarks with writing or images of substances that are illegal for teens (i.e., drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products) or are otherwise offensive, lewd, indecent, vulgar, obscene, profane, gang-related or constitute racial or ethnic slurs may not be worn.

1. 6. Tattoos that display drugs, alcohol or tobacco products, or gang- or sex-related words or images must not be seen at anytime.

1. 7. Chains, spiked accessories and belt buckles with concealed weapons are not permissible. Belts may not hang down as a "tail" from the belt loop.

1. 8. Head coverings such as bandanas, scarves, sweatbands, caps, do-rags, or hairnets are not to be worn or seen during school time or school functions.

1. 2. Approved head coverings worn as part of a student’s bona fide religious practices or beliefs shall not be prohibited under this policy.

School administrators and teachers are encouraged to use positive reinforcement to obtain compliance with Standard School Attire requirements. However, when a student fails to comply with the School Attire policy, discipline is appropriate. The following discipline procedures will apply:

Repeated violations of the Standard School Attire policy will be treated as disruptive behavior and/or defiance of school authority. These violations may result in out-of-school suspensions as prescribed in the Student Code of Conduct, Disciplinary Due Process.

In-school suspension for violation of the Standard School Attire policy will not affect a student’s academic standing.

Violations of the Standard School Attire policy will not carry over from the previous semester or school year.

Schools will provide reasonable accommodation to students whose bona fide religious belief, medical condition or disability requires special clothing.

To request such accommodation:

District or campus personnel will not discriminate against any student who has been exempted from the mandatory use of Standard School Attire because of objections based on bona fide religious, medical or disability needs.

The District reserves the right to modify this policy as necessary. The District and individual schools reserve the right to determine what may be disruptive and unsafe.

TCA § 49-1-302

TCA § 49-6-4215

DSOP 0110 – Complaints