Wednesday, July 13, 2011
GENTRY — In accord with state law, dress requirements for students in Gentry Schools for the 2011-2012 school year was modified by the school board to prohibit wearing of certain clothing during school hours and at school-sponsored activities and events. Violations of the dress code can lead to disciplinary measures by the school principal.
Before students and parents begin shopping for school clothing, they would be wise to review changes in state law and school dress codes so that clothing is in compliance with the new regulations.
Arkansas House Bill 1936, adopted and made law this spring, amended Act 835 to require school districts to prohibit students from wearing clothing “that exposes underwear, buttocks, or the breast of a female.”
The bill states that such dress “often preoccupies and distracts students from their major purpose of being in school, that of becoming educated in math, science, English, history, and other subjects.”
The bill further states that restricting such dress “will prevent disruptions in the learning environment, advance the education of students, enhance the preparation of students to enter the workforce, and make disruptive incidentsof violence less likely to occur.”
The law also states that such dress requirements will train and better prepare students to wear clothing acceptable in the workplace.
An exception to the law was made for the wearing of costumes or uniforms by students while participating in a school-sponsored activity or event.
In accordance with the amended law, the school district handbook was amended to read:
“Student dress, grooming, and appearance should be the responsibility of the individual and his/her parents or guard ian. When, however, dress and grooming disrupt the learning process or violate the individual campus dress code, the student, other students, or the learning environment of the school,it becomes a matter subject to disciplinary action.
“The first consequence of violating the dress code will be for the student to telephone for someone to bring appropriate clothing to school before being admitted into the classroom. Future violations will result in other disciplinary measures as determined by the principal.
“Because of the active nature of elementary school, children should wear comfortable clothing and shoes to school. Males or females will not wear headgear in the buildings except on special days designated by the principal. Children must wear proper gym shoes during their P.E. classes and they must be properly laced up.
“Specific dress code items not allowed for the Intermediate, Middle and High schools are:
Tops with small shoulder straps or that allow the under garment to show. The student will be required to use the width of three fingers across their shoulders;
Tops that expose/show excessive cleavage;
Bare midriff - shirts that show this will absolutely not be allowed;
Clothing with inappropriate lettering, pictures or racial messages;
Shorts and skirts of inappropriate length - the shorts, skirts, or dresses should touch the fingertips when the arm and fingers are extended completelyat one’s side (thumb does not count);
Any article of headwear or sunglasses - (such as) hats, bandannas; (Principals at Primary and Intermediate campuses may waive this rule as deemed appropriate for the circumstances);
Spandex - tops or shorts;
Chains - (example: wallet or dog style);
Gang related fashions;
Bare feet - must wear shoes at all times;
Drawings/symbols of racial content either on clothes or skin will not be tolerated.”
School News, Pages 7 on 07/13/2011