Dress and Grooming

The Board of Education recognizes that each pupil’s mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of the pupil’s personal style and individual preferences.  The Board will impose its judgment on pupils and parent(s) or legal guardian(s) only when a pupil’s dress and grooming affect the educational program of the schools.

Pupils may not wear clothing or engage in grooming practices that present a health or safety hazard to the individual pupil or to others; materially interfere with school work, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program; cause excessive wear or damage to school property; or prevent the pupil from achieving his/her own educational objectives because of blocked vision or restricted movement.

The Board of Education prohibits pupils from wearing, while on school property, any type of clothing, apparel or accessory which indicates that the pupil has membership in, or affiliation with, any gang associated with criminal activities.  The local law enforcement agency will advise the Board, upon request, of gangs which are associated with criminal activities.

The Building Principal shall determine whether the dress or grooming of pupils comes within these prohibitions.

Staff members shall demonstrate by example and precept wholesome attitudes toward neatness, cleanliness, propriety, modesty, and good sense in attire and appearance. 

The Superintendent shall, on consultation with staff members, pupils, and parent(s) or legal guardian(s), prepare a dress code that imposes only minimum and necessary limitations on a pupil’s taste and individuality. 

N.J.S.A.          18A:11-1, 18A:11-7, 18A:11-8,

                        18A:11-9.

Adopted:  26 July 2005