Respecting the learning environment includes dressing appropriately for school.  FCHS students will follow the

Pitt County Schools Dress Code and Appearance Policy  The full policy is noted below.

The board believes that responsibility for the dress and grooming of a student rests primarily with the student and his or her parents or guardians and that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment.

All students are expected to dress in a neat manner and conform to standards of good taste and decency in their dress while attending school sponsored classes and activities. The final decision in determining appropriate dress and appearance shall rest with the School Administration. Failure to adhere to established dress and appearance codes may result in disciplinary action.

A. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Clothing should be age appropriate, properly fitted, and suitable for the learning environment.

2. Spirit wear, district/county programs/colleges/universities and community organizations clothing items are permissible.

3. Shirts/tops must have sleeves, cover the chest and back from arm to arm.

4. Bottoms (pants, shorts, skirts) must be mid-thigh in length and worn at the waist.

5. When the body is standing straight, clothing must cover the chest, back, torso, stomach, and lower extremities from arm to arm to mid-thigh with no exposed undergarments.

6. Shoes must be worn at all times and must conform to requirements for specific classes.

7. Hoodies and hooded jackets may not have the hood covering the head while in a school building. Continued violation of this requirement may/shall result in not being allowed to wear a hoodie at school.

B. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Attire, accessories and/or grooming depicting or advocating violence, criminal activity, gang- related activity, use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs, pornography or substance abuse are prohibited.

2. Pajamas, bedroom shoes or slippers shall not be worn, except for school activities approved by the principal.

3. Headgear including hats, hoodies, bandanas, sunglasses, and caps are not allowed unless permitted for religious, medical, or other reason by school administration.

4. With the exception of manufacturer’s logos, personal monograms or principal/school approved logos, clothing may not display any insignias, logos, labels, graphics, words

or pictures.

C. EXCEPTIONS:

1. Religious or Medical Waivers 

Reasonable consideration will be made for students with certain religious beliefs or medical reasons. A waiver may be requested for a particular requirement for dress or appearance on an annual basis. In considering a waiver request, the principal or designee has the right to request additional documentation from medical officials and/or religious leaders.

2. Special Activity Accommodations

The principal shall make reasonable accommodations for students involved in special duties, activities, or projects approved by the school. Such special duties, activities, and projects include, but are not be limited to, athletics, P.E. classes, and other activities that require non-conforming dress on a school campus during the school day. Students who are taking classes that require a special dress code (such as JROTC or career and technical education internships) may wear that clothing to other classes.

D. ENFORCEMENT:

Each principal shall ensure that this policy is enforced consistently in their school. Before receiving disciplinary consequences, a student who is not in compliance with this policy will be given the opportunity within a reasonable period of time to change into acceptable clothing by using available clothes at school or by calling a parent to bring acceptable clothes. Disciplinary consequences for a student who fails to comply will be consistent with Section D of policy 4300, Student Behavior Policies. The superintendent or designee shall list in the Code of Student Conduct the specific range of consequences that may be imposed on a student for violation of the dress code.

Legal References: G.S. 115C-47, -390.2

Cross References: Student Behavior Policies (policy 4300), School Plan for Management of

Student Behavior (policy 4302), Disruptive Behavior (policy 4315), Gang-Related Activity

(policy 4328)

Adopted: August 1, 2016

Revised: June 5, 2017

Revised: May 5, 2018

Revised: May 24, 2018 (technical corrections only)

Revised: August 3, 2020

Revised: May 2, 2022