DRESS CODE

Thurgood Marshall Middle School expects all students to dress in a manner that is appropriate for school or any school-sponsored activity.  We encourage students to wear clothes that make them feel confident and ready for learning.  The primary responsibility for a student’s attire lies with the student and their parents or guardians. Thurgood Marshall Middle is responsible for ensuring that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student and that one’s clothing does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student. Any restrictions necessary to support the overall educational goals of Thurgood Marshall Middle are explained in the following dress code. Clothing must be worn in such a way that private parts (buttocks, genitals, chest) are covered with opaque (non-transparent) material. Clothing should cover the areas shown in the diagram below:

Students Must Wear:

• A top–shirt, tank top, sweater, sweatshirt.  The shirt must have straps or sleeves.
• Bottoms–pants, shorts, skirts, leggings, sweatpants
• The bottom of the shirt must touch the top of the pants/shorts/skirts/leggings/sweatpants. The midriff cannot be exposed.
• Shoes–must have a closed back

Students May Wear:

• Hats (students may be asked to be removed at the discretion of staff)
• Hoodie sweatshirts (students may be asked to remove the hood at discretion of staff)
• Ripped jeans, as long as underwear is not exposed
• Tank tops, as long as torso is not exposed
• Sandals that have a strap on the back

Students Cannot Wear:

• Violent language or images
• Images or language depicting drugs, alcohol or tobacco (or any illegal item or activity)
• Hate speech, profanity, pornography
• Images or language that create a hostile or intimidating environment
• Tops that expose the midriff
• Slippers, slides or flip-flops
• Accessories that could be used as a weapon or considered dangerous
• Clothing items that disrupt the learning community (such as costumes on non dress-up days)

Consequences

First Offense:  Student will be given a warning and must correct the violation by covering up or changing clothes.  Parents may be called to bring a change of clothes.

Second Offense:  Student must correct the violation.  Parents will be notified and the incident will be entered into PowerSchool.

Third Offense:  Student must correct the violation.  Student will receive detention.  Parents will be notified and the incident will be entered into PowerSchool.

Additional Offenses will require a conference between administration and the parents/guardians of the student.  Additional consequences will be assigned to the student.