Dress Code

DRESS CODE for STUDENTS

Students are expected to dress in a manner that is supportive of a positive learning environment. No student shall dress in a way as to distract from the learning process of other students.

The following articles of clothing are NOT to be worn at Couch Middle:

• Tank tops or sleeveless shirts (of any kind), tops that are too tight or reveal any cleavage or midriff, fishnet clothing, or visible underclothing.
• Leggings, or other pants, that are tight/form fitting without an appropriate length skirt or shorts over them. (Updated 12/3/12)
• Skirts or shorts shorter than one hand’s width above the kneecap (with or without leggings underneath).
• Clothing that depicts or symbolizes offensive words or designs, drugs (including alcohol and tobacco), violence (blood, death, weapons), sex, or hate groups or criminal gangs.
• Pajama bottoms or tops and house slippers.
• Pants that sag below the waist or show undergarments, or pants/skirts with holes above the knees.
• Headgear of any kind -Hats, hoods, doo-rags, ski caps (except during cold weather; but never in the building), bandanas, sweatbands, visors, or sunglasses.  Baseball caps are NOT allowed at any time (even on the bus) other than designated “Hat Days” throughout the year.
• Distracting jewelry:  Heavy chains, dog collars, or gang-related jewelry.
  • Criminal gang-related attire includes, but is not limited to the following: wearing clothing in an asymmetrical pattern such as rolling up one pant leg, wearing a dominant color every day of the week, long bulky chains and necklaces, gang-styled belt buckles, large oversized pendants or necklaces and chains, bandannas, altering clothing from its original form to change the names and/or intended marking on the clothing, sweatbands and/or headbands, draping articles or clothing, towels, or other objects out of pants pockets or over the shoulder or neck area. In addition, students are not allowed to shave their hair or eyebrows in patterns related to gang activity.
• Other appearance that is deemed distracting or disruptive is unacceptable. This may include tattoos, body piercing, make up or dress.

Couch Middle reserves the right to amend and change the dress code whenever additional items disrupt the learning environment.

Procedure: Students who choose to wear distracting articles of clothing or have distracting appearance will be sent to the office to call their parents so the parent can be notified of the dress code violation and can bring a change of clothes. If parents are unavailable, students may be isolated for the day. Parents will be notified of the problematic clothes. Repeated violations will result in discipline action.