Dress Code

Dress Code

Bend-La Pine Schools subscribes to the philosophy that students will be provided with a quality education in a safe, orderly, and inclusive environment. In this regard, the district has determined that the presence of certain types of clothing and attire can cause a substantial disruption of, or material interference with, school activities. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a dress and grooming policy that communicates both an inclusive space for students of all identities, and a firm commitment to uninterrupted teaching and learning at all times.

The building administrator(s) shall establish and regularly review school rules, which shall uphold the following goals in a way that minimizes reasons for conflict and inconsistent discipline:

• Maintain a safe learning environment at all times;

• Allow students to wear clothing of their choice that is comfortable, without fear of unnecessary discipline or body shaming;

• Allow students to wear clothing that expresses their self-identified gender;

• Allow students to wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination;

• Prevent students from wearing clothing with offensive images or language, including profanity, hate speech, and pornography;

• Prevent students from wearing clothing with images or language depicting or advocating violence or the use of alcohol or drugs;

• Ensure that all students are treated equitably regardless of gender/gender identification, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, body type/size, religion, and personal style;

• Minimize unnecessary barriers to school attendance;

• Ensure all students and staff understand that they are responsible for managing their own personal “distractions” without regulating individual students’ clothing/self-expression.

To meet the aforementioned values and goals, student code of dress, at all regular school activities, will include the following guidelines:

1. Footwear appropriate for school activities must be worn at all times. Footwear standards shall be concerned with health requirements, and with prevention of accidents and injury.

2. Students must wear bottoms (ex: pants, shorts, skirt or dress) and a top (shirt, dress) when at school or school activities.

3. Clothing and jewelry shall be safe and not include writing, pictures or any other insignia which are crude, vulgar, profane, sexually suggestive, depicts drugs or alcohol, gang relations, or any illegal activities or which create a hostile or intimidating environment for others.

4. All clothing shall be worn in a reasonable manner that does not expose underwear (with the exception of straps) or private parts.

5. Articles that prevent identification (such as face masks, except for those worn in compliance with local health directives) are also prohibited, at the discretion of the school administrator(s).

6. No student shall wear any article of clothing, jewelry, or accessory, which poses a threat to the physical well-being and safety of the student or others, as determined by the school administrator(s).

District staff members, with the approval of a site administrator(s), may modify dress requirements to accommodate the special needs of certain sports, events, and/or classes, provided that the modifications uphold the goals and values described in this regulation.

The principal, staff, students and parents/guardians at each school may establish reasonable dress and grooming regulations for times when students are engaged in extracurricular or other special school activities.