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SHIPMAN/GOODWIN SUGGESTED LANGUAGE
Series 5000
5132P
STUDENTS
ATTIRE AND HYGIENE POLICY
(STUDENT DRESS)
In order to maintain an environment conducive to the educational process, the Colchester
Board of Education (the “Board”) prohibits the following from wear during the academic school
day:
a. Coats, jackets or other attire normally worn as outerwear. Outerwear includes:
coats, jackets, windbreakers, nylon pullovers, down vests, and other clothing the
administration deems inappropriate. Outer wear shall not be worn, carried, or
kept in the classroom during regular school hours.
b. Head coverings of any kind, including but not limited to scarves, bandannas,
masks, headbands, visors, kerchiefs, athletic sweatbands, hats, caps, or hoods.
Head coverings shall not be worn, carried, hung on belts or around the neck, or
kept in the classroom during regular school hours. Approved coverings worn as
part of a student's religious practice or belief, or as required or permitted in
conjunction with school district health and safety protocols, shall not be
prohibited under this policy. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to
prohibit protective hairstyles. “Protective hairstyles” includes, but is not
limited to, wigs, headwraps and hairstyles such as individual braids, cornrows,
locs, twists, Bantu knots, afros and afro puffs.
c. Items a. and b. above must be secured in the student's locker or other storage
area before school starts. Items not stored will be confiscated by the
administration.
d. Footwear which mars floors or is a safety hazard.
e. Sunglasses, whether worn or carried, unless required pursuant to a documented
medical issue.
f. "Name" or other oversized metal belt buckles and all metal belts or combination
of metal and leather belts.
g. Spiked or studded bracelets, oversized or multi-finger rings, belts or any other
article of attire with spikes or studs attached, or any other clothing item that may
present a safety hazard to the student, other students or staff.
ATTIRE AND HYGIENE POLICY Page 1 of 3
h. Attire or accessories that contain vulgarity or that contain overly offensive or
disruptive writing or pictures, which are likely to disrupt the educational
environment.
i. Attire or accessories depicting or suggesting violence so as to disrupt the
educational environment or that provokes others to act violently or causes
others to be intimidated by fear of violence or that constitute "fighting words,”
including but not limited to attire or accessories depicting the Confederate flag
and/or the Nazi swastika.
j. Attire or accessories that depict logo or emblems that encourage the use of
drugs, tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages.
k. Shirts and/or blouses that reveal the abdomen, chest, or undergarments.
l. See-through clothing, tank tops or sleeveless shirts.
m. Shorts, miniskirts, or pants that reveal the upper thigh or undergarments.
Spandex garments are allowed only if they are covered by shorts or skirts.
N. Backpacks and/or book bags are permitted to be carried between classes, but
shall not obstruct safe passage in the classroom or in the corridors.
Students who fail to comply with Board policy and regulations concerning student dress will be
subject to school discipline up to and including expulsion in accordance with the Board's policy
on student discipline.
Legal Reference:
Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-51 (definition of protective hairstyles)
CPS EXISTING POLICY:
The attire and hygiene of each student in the school system are the responsibility of the student
and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s).
Each student is expected to dress and groom his/herself for the business of school in a manner
that does not distract other students or teachers, or disrupt the educational process.
If the attire or hygiene of a student is distracting, disruptive to the educational process,
unhygienic, a threat to the health or safety of any individual, or considered to be profane,
obscene, discriminatory, violent, or promoting the use of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or firearms,
the student will be referred to the school administration or nurse. The student and/or his/her
parents/guardian will be required to take appropriate action to rectify the situation before the
student is allowed to return to the classroom.
ATTIRE AND HYGIENE POLICY Page 2 of 3
Students who represent the school/district will be required to conform to attire and hygiene
standards as approved by the school administration and may be denied the opportunity to
participate if those standards are not met.
Appeal Process
A dress code decision may be appealed by the student or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) as
follows:
1. discuss the decision with the person(s) who made it. If not satisfied with the response,
then
2. provide a written appeal to the principal demonstrating that a policy and/or regulation
was unfairly applied. The appeal will be reviewed by the principal with a written
response provided within three working days. If not satisfied with this response, then
3. present a written appeal to the Superintendent who will review and provide a final
decision within five working days.
POLICY ADOPTED: April 9, 2002
REVISED: January 9, 2007
REVISION to format only: December 13, 2016 (Replaces Policy 5132)
REVISED: June 8, 2021
COLCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Colchester, Connecticut
ATTIRE AND HYGIENE POLICY Page 3 of 3