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Administrators and teachers at Duval County Public Schools shall enforce dress and grooming guidelines outlined in 1006.07(2)(d) F.S. that promotes the successful operation of the schools. The site administration shall be the final judge as to neatness and cleanliness of wearing apparel and whether or not such apparel is appropriate, disruptive, distracting, or in Infraction of health and safety rules.

Each student has the responsibility to dress appropriately and have respect for self, others, and the school environment. Wearing apparel, jewelry (such as body piercing (s), ornaments), hair, and general appearance shall not disrupt the classroom atmosphere, and/or shall not violate health and safety rules of the school. These guidelines for dress and grooming are provided to assist parents/guardians and shall apply to all students in the Duval County Public Schools. Student dress and grooming shall be neat and clean and follow the general guidelines below.

1. Elementary school students are not allowed to wear shoes without closed heels or back straps.

2. Shoes must be worn. However, bedroom shoes or slippers shall not be worn.

3. Halter-tops, backless tops, or tops that show midriff are prohibited.

4. See-through or mesh garments shall not be worn without appropriate undergarments.

5. Costumes or costume accessories may not be worn without approval of school administration.

6. Properly hemmed outer garments such as shorts, divided skirts, and dresses may be worn, provided they are not disruptive or distractive, as determined by the school administration. Garments including, but not limited to, such items as boxer shorts, traditionally designed as undergarments, may not be worn as outer garments.

7. Clothing, accessories and facial coverings, shall not be worn if they display profanity, violence, lewd and obscene messages, sexually suggestive phrases, or advertisements, phrases or symbols of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs or other symbols phrases or advertisements that would be offensive to common propriety or decency. Bandanas may not be worn as facial coverings.

8. Head coverings, including, but not limited to the hood portion of a hoodie(sweatshirt/shirt), ski-mask, caps, hats, bandannas, hair curlers/bonnets, and/or sunglasses, shall not be worn on school property, worn for religious observation or required by a physician or authorized by school personnel.

9. Students are prohibited from wearing clothing that exposes underwear or body parts in an indecent or vulgar manner or that disrupts the orderly learning environment. The waistband of shorts, slacks, skirts, and similar garments shall not be worn below the hips. Clothing which is not worn appropriately is not properly fastened, has tears that reveal or expose body parts, has printing with words or pictures that have a sexual connotation will not be permitted. All trousers, including oversized or low-hanging trousers, must be worn and secured at waist level. Underwear, midriff and back may not be exposed. If belts, suspenders, and straps are worn, they shall be worn in place and fastened.

10. Any articles of clothing or jewelry that may cause injury to oneself or to other students are not allowed.

11. All students must adhere to these minimal guidelines for acceptable apparel and appearance. A school may implement a school uniform requirement through the shared decision-making process, with input from the School Advisory Council. In order to maximize instructional time, students will be given an opportunity to immediately correct dress code Infractions.

Pledge of Allegiance Notice

Pursuant to Florida Statutes, students have the right not to participate in reciting the pledge. Upon written request by his or her parent, a student must be excused from reciting the pledge, including standing and placing the right hand over his or her heart.

Student Discipline and the Collective Bargaining Agreement

1. Teachers and administrators should work together in a mutually supportive manner to maintain proper student conduct. Each teacher shall have the right to promulgate and have enforced reasonable rules of classroom conduct which apply to students while in that teacher’s class. Such rules shall not conflict with employer or school rules.

2. Any teacher shall have the right to send a student to the office, with a written explanation or referral, whenever the student is involved in an incident contrary to the established rules of conduct. The teacher will notify the office immediately when this action is taken.

3. To assist in the investigation of a serious incident, the teacher shall submit to the office a written account of the matter not later than the end of the school day on the day of the disturbance, unless impracticable.

4. The Principal or his Designee shall confer with the teacher regarding possible corrective action prior to the student’s return to the classroom.

5. The teacher will receive from the Principal or Designee an explanation of the steps taken along with any suggestions for working with the problem. Such explanation and suggestions shall be in writing if requested.

6. The teacher shall have the right to again send the student to the office whenever the student is again involved in a classroom disturbance.

7. In addition to the district-wide Code of Student Conduct, school rules shall be developed and reviewed as necessary by a committee made up of the school Principal and teachers.

8. A continuous statistical record of student discipline cases will be maintained in a place and manner available to all staff to use as a basis for recommendations for administering discipline and the periodic revision of the school rules for conduct.

9. If a teacher is concerned with the manner in which behavioral problems are being adjusted, the matter shall be discussed in private with the appropriate administrator.