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The biggest changes are that students can wear T-shirts every day instead of just on Friday, and shorts are now allowed as long as the hem reaches the top of the kneecap.
Bullock said that since he started the job several weeks ago, the dress code was the No. 1 concern brought to him by parents. He brought the matter to the school board on Monday, so the dress code could be finalized in time for the tax-free weekend.
The changes are in line with general district dress code guidelines, however, concerns were raised Monday by the school board about the process followed to relax the high school’s dress standards.
Board president Steve Wright was on the original committee that helped design the old code requiring long pants and collared shirts.
He described the process as rigorous, with many meetings and many hours of discussion before deciding on the current code. With this relaxing of the rules, Wright was concerned that not enough time had been spent studying the new dress code.
Dr. John Hancock, assistant superintendent of administration and student services, said that principals have the freedom to change the dress code as long as it complies with the general district dress code in official school policy described in the handbook.
The policy in the handbook does not prohibit T-shirts and shorts, which means parents may purchase those items for school without fear of a reversal at the next meeting.
The final version of the dress code addresses a concern raised by Susan Long about jeans with intentional tears and rips. The code was changed to ban jeans and pants torn by design.
Temple High School Dress Code
Temple High School expects students to present an appearance that is conducive to an effective learning environment.
General:
- No clothing, makeup, jewelry, accessories, tattoos, or paraphernalia will be allowed that contains pictures, emblems, or writings that:
- Are lewd, vulgar, morbid (skulls, blood or death), slanderous, offensive, incite disruptive behavior or depict violence.
- Advertise or depict tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, guns, gambling, drugs or any other substance prohibited under legal requirements.
- Refer to satanic, cult, gang or drug behavior.
- All items of clothing (including undergarments) must be worn appropriately or placed in lockers.
- Items of clothing, towels, straps, or strings may not be hanging/displayed over shoulders, around the neck, or from pockets.
Shoes:
- Flip-flops, shower shoes, and the like are considered unsafe or unhealthy and are prohibited.
- House-shoes are prohibited (shoes not meant to be worn outside).
Head Covers:
- Caps, hats, wave rags, do rags, bandannas, or other head attire are not permitted and may be confiscated if displayed or worn inside the building.
- Combs and hair picks are not permitted to be displayed or worn in the hair.
Spikes and chains:
- Spiked accessories such as collars, necklaces, bracelets, belts and other items are not permitted.
- Choke collars designed for controlling animals will not be allowed.
- Chains made of links with diameters larger than ˝ inch are not permitted to be worn as jewelry.
- No chains may be visibly dangling from wallets or other items of clothing.
- These prohibited items will be confiscated and only parents will be allowed to retrieve them.
I.D. Badges:
- I.D. badges are the property of Temple High School.
- I.D. badges lost or destroyed must be replaced at student expense.
- I.D. badges will not be defaced in any way, on either side.
- The school-issued I.D. badge must be visibly displayed and worn on a school-appropriate lanyard around the neck at all times while on campus and must hang between the neck and waist on one lanyard.
- Only one I.D. badge may be displayed. I.D. badges belonging to other students will be confiscated and returned to the student whose photo appears on the I.D. badge.
- Only THS-approved passes may be hanging from lanyards.
- Students who do not have their school-issued I.D. badge will be issued temporary I.D. labels. These labels are only valid for the day of issue, must be displayed on the chest area of outer garments and be clearly visible.
- Students will be issued three temporary I.D. labels. After three, this becomes a discipline offense.
Shirts:
- See-through jerseys or shirts that expose skin or undergarments are not allowed.
- Shirts must cover the stomach (exposed midriffs are not allowed), and low necklines are not allowed.
- May be long or short sleeve (not sleeveless) and may not be rolled up to the armpits.
- Shirts must be appropriately sized and may not be worn in any way that reflects gang affiliation or conceals contraband. Tall T-shirts are prohibited.
Pants, slacks, jeans, and shorts:
- May be any color.
- Shorts must be appropriately sized, fit at the waist, fit in the crotch, and be properly hemmed or cuffed. Shorts must be at least to the top of the kneecap, when standing, in length. Athletic shorts of any type may not be worn.
- Large, flared leg pants, baggy or oversized pants, pants adorned with chains, or pants (and shorts) that are torn or ripped (even by design) will not be allowed.
- Tight-fitting stretch pants, wind/sweat, parachute or pajama-style pants will not be allowed.
- Pants must be appropriately sized, fit at the waist, fit in the crotch, and be properly hemmed or cuffed.
Skirts:
- May be any color.
- Must be appropriately sized, fit at the waist and be properly hemmed at the top of the kneecap or longer when standing.
- Slits in skirts may not extend above the kneecap.
- Tight-fitting, stretch-type skirts will not be allowed
Dresses:
- Must be appropriately sized, fit at the waist and be properly hemmed at the kneecap or longer when standing.
- Slits in dresses may not extend above the kneecap.
- Tigh-fitting, stretch-type dresses will not be allowed.
Sweatshirts, sweaters, vests, jackets and coats:
- Scrubs, smocks, lab coats, coveralls and other vocational apparel are not allowed outside the vocational setting.
- All outer clothing must be appropriately sized in shoulders, sleeves and length.
- Large, bulky coats must be placed in lockers before school.
Students who violate the dress code are subject to action under the Student Code of Conduct.
kchandler@temple-telegram.com