HHIHS DRESS CODE for 2023-24 School Year
Statement of Policy
This is the policy of the Beaufort County School District to regulate reasonable attire of students during the school day. Students in all schools shall wear an approved school uniform with only legally-mandated exceptions. To maintain an educational environment that is safe and conducive to the educational process, students in all grades shall abstain from wearing or possessing specified items during the school day.
Purpose
The Beaufort County School District has determined that reasonable regulation of school attire can further important educational interests, including the following:
⦁ Reducing distraction and loss of self-esteem caused by teasing or competition over clothing.
⦁ Minimizing disruption from wearing inappropriate clothing or possessing inappropriate items at school.
⦁ Providing an environment where students can focus more on learning.
⦁ Enhancing school safety by making it harder to conceal weapons or contraband.
⦁ Enhancing school safety by helping teachers and administrators identify individuals not enrolled in the school when they encounter them on school grounds.
⦁ Enhancing school safety by prohibiting gang colors and paraphernalia.
⦁ Reducing the cost of school clothing
⦁ Providing an educational environment where financial disparities between students, as reflected in clothing, are minimized.
⦁ Creating a greater sense of community and school pride among the students.
⦁ Instilling discipline in students.
⦁ Helping students and parents/legal guardians to avoid peer pressure.
⦁ Helping prepare students for future roles in the workplace.
⦁ Creating an atmosphere reflecting seriousness of purpose about education.
Dress Code Requirements
Shirts, sweaters and sweatshirts (tops)
⦁ Tops shall be solid white, black, gray, blue, or pink.
⦁ Tops shall be plain shirts with a collar in school approved colors. Mock turtlenecks and turtlenecks are acceptable.
⦁ Shirts may have a school spirit logo or a logo small enough that it could be covered by a student ID.
⦁ Shirts may not exceed one (1) size larger or smaller than necessary as determined by school administration. No midriff or undergarments can be seen regardless of movement.
⦁ White T-Shirts (long or short sleeves) may be worn under uniform shirts.
⦁ Students may wear solid, unhooded sweaters or sweatshirts over school uniforms. The sweaters or sweatshirts may be solid white, blue, black, pink, and gray.
⦁ In order to promote school spirit, students are permitted to wear any unaltered HHIHS Seahawk t-shirt or unhooded sweatshirt.
⦁ Beginning with the 2023-24 school year no hooded sweaters or sweatshirts will be permitted.
Slacks, skirts, skorts, jumpers, Capri length pants, shorts, & sweatpants/tights .
⦁ Bottoms may be solid khaki, black or navy.
⦁ Jeans are not permitted except on days designated by the principal.
⦁ Bottoms must be free of graphics and embroidery except for small labels or school logo.
⦁ Shorts, skirts, skorts, and jumpers will be modest and of sufficient length, no shorter than three (3) inches above the top of the knee when standing.
⦁ Cargo-style pants or shorts, leggings, jeggings, or yoga style pants are not permitted. Beginning with the 2023-24 school year no leggings will be permitted.
⦁ Clothing may not exceed one (1) size larger or smaller than necessary as determined by an administrator. Baggy or sagging pants or shorts are not permitted. “Low rise” clothing is not permitted. Pants, shorts and skirts must be worn at the natural waistline.
⦁ Belts are optional; if worn, the buckles must not be over-sized, computerized or have any writing that is considered offensive.
⦁ Skirts may be designated plaid. Denim or jeans of any color are not permitted except on school-approved days or events.
⦁ Shorts, skirts, skorts, and jumpers will be modest and of sufficient length, no shorter than three (3) inches above the top of the knee when standing.
⦁ Tights may only be worn if they are under appropriate length shorts, skirts or other approved bottoms.
⦁ Sweatpants, tights, and gym shorts must be blue, black or grey.
Coats and jackets (outerwear)
⦁ Outerwear may not be worn inside the school building during the school day, other than to a classroom at the beginning of the school day or from a classroom at the end of the school day.
⦁ Outerwear may be worn during a class change if the student is exiting the building.
⦁ No full-zip shirts, sweaters, jackets or coats may be worn during the school day.
⦁ Outerwear may be worn to school and placed in the student’s locker/bag upon arrival. Students are expected to be in dress code while in the school building.
⦁ Blankets, Snuggies, and pillows are not permitted.
Shoes, sneakers and boots (footwear)
⦁ Footwear must be worn at all times. Shoes will conform to special requirements, e.g. PE classes, ROTC, science labs, etc.
⦁ Laces on shoes or sneakers must be tied.
⦁ Crocs, flip flops, and slippers are not permitted. Heelies and other footwear with wheels are not permitted.
⦁ No open-toed shoes or sandals may be worn unless they have a heal strap.
Other clothing items or accessories
⦁ Students may not wear large pendants or medallions. School administration has the final say on determining whether a pendant or medallion is large or not.
⦁ Any adornment that could be perceived as, or used as a weapon such as chains, spikes, etc. is not permitted.
⦁ Gang-related clothing, accessories, symbols or intimidating items of dress, as identified by local law enforcement agencies/SRO, are not permitted.
⦁ Head coverings of any kind including, but not limited to, hats, caps, bandanas, curlers, masks, visors, kerchiefs, athletic sweatbands, earmuffs, sunglasses or hoods are not permitted. Head coverings may not be worn, carried, hung on belts or around the neck or kept in classrooms during regular school hours.
Students are expected to be dressed according to the uniform standards when school is in session. Students who are taking classes that require a special dress code, such as JROTC or career and technical education internships, may wear that uniform to other classes. The principal may make exceptions to the uniform policy for special events and may allow a different standard for athletic teams or other school clubs or activities. If you have questions on an item for dress code, please bring in the item prior to wearing and have it checked by administration.
Consequences
Any Offense: Students shall be informed that they have violated the policy. They shall be given an opportunity to change into acceptable clothing by using available clothes at school or by calling a parent/guardian to bring clothes. If neither of these options are used, students may be placed in an in-school suspension/alternative setting for the remainder of the day and a referral shall be written. Pending their current-year record, referrals could result in detention and/or in-school suspension. Failure to complete the consequence could result in out-of-school suspension.
A student that is scheduled for in school suspension (ISS) for a different violation, must also be in dress code while serving their discipline consequence.
Students who do not comply with the dress code may be excluded from participating in certain extracurricular school programs. Copies of the dress code shall be made available to students and parents. Reasonable consideration shall be made for those students who, because of a sincerely held religious belief or medical reason, request a waiver of a particular guideline for dress or appearance. The waiver request shall be in writing from the parent or guardian and approved by the principal and/or principal’s designee on an annual basis. In considering a waiver request, the principal and/or principal’s designee has the right to request additional documentation from medical officials and/or religious leaders.