Hackensack Board of Education
Policy on Student Dress
Revised September 23, 1997
The Board of Education recognizes the rights of students to express
their individuality through their attire. It also recognizes the
rights and responsibilities of parents to determine the standards
of dress for their children. On the other hand, the Board of
Education has a responsibility to assure that the atmosphere in
schools is conductive to learning.
Balancing these factors, the Board adopts a dress policy for students that is
only minimally restrictive, but sets standards for grooming and
appearance during school hours and at school functions. This policy
is applicable from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve (12). The Board
expects the policy to be enforced even-handedly at all times and
reviewed regularly for reasonableness, consistent with community
attitudes.
The following guidelines are established.
- Student attire shall be neat and clean. Clothing shall cover
the torso and legs to the mid-thigh.
- Clothing shall not be transparent, distracting or
disruptive to the school environment.
- Attire must not be destructive of school property.
- Dress shall comply with the safety or health codes of
the State of New Jersey.
- Tank tops, halters, tube tops, and bathing suits and
cut-off shorts (1)
are not permitted. Sweat shirts, warm-up and T-shirts are permitted,
if they are not torn and if they are not cut, tied or hemmed to expose
the midriff.
- Shorts shall be permitted provided their length conforms to
item #1 of this policy and that they are consistent with this policy
in all other aspects.
- Footwear is required. Beach thongs and platform shoes are
not permitted.
- Except for religious and/or cultural purposes, head coverings
may not be worn in school.
- Safety and protective clothing, as well as athletic and gym
clothing, shall be worn as required by the subject teacher or
club instructor only while participating during the activity.
- Students attending any school functions, during school hours,
will not be permitted to participate unless they are attired in
conformity with this policy.
- When questions arise regarding interpretations of this policy,
the school principal and/or his/her designee shall make a determination as
to the appropriateness of student dress.
In order to assure compliance with the stated policy the Superintendent shall,
in cooperation with principals, develop procedures for monitoring enforcing
its provisions. The procedures shall include penalities for violations.
FOOTNOTES:
1. At the high school Faculty meeting on September 30, 1997,
Mr Joseph DeFalco announced that this was a typographical error, and that
cut-off shorts are permitted so long as they conform to the policy in all other
respects.
Return to Hackensack High School Home Page