JICA – Student Dress Code

The Board recognizes that student individual dress is primarily a parental responsibility that should reflect concern for health and safety of students, staff and others. When the dress of an individual student constitutes a health problem, is unsuitable for school wear, is a danger to any person, or causes a substantial and material disruption or substantial disturbance, the principal shall take appropriate action to correct the situation.

The dress code within each school shall be administered fairly, consistently, and equally to all students. The dress code shall not be enforced in a manner that discriminates against a particular viewpoint or results in a disproportionate application of the dress code relative to students’ gender, gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, household income, or body type or size.

Enforcement must accommodate clothing worn by students as an expression of religious beliefs or worn by students with disabilities consistent with the student’s needs to accommodate their disability (e.g., protective helmets). Enforcement shall not indirectly discriminate against students based on hair texture and or hairstyles, including, but not limited to, braids, locks, and twists.

School standards are included in the Student Handbook and otherwise communicated to students annually.

Notwithstanding District or School standards, some courses and school activities may require adjustments to attire and hairstyle or may require specific attire to ensure safety during academic activities (e.g., science labs or PE).

Students who do not meet the school dress code will be given an opportunity to correct the situation by either changing the clothing, removing the clothing (if appropriate), wearing it inside-out, or other means as determined by the school administration so the student is in compliance with the dress code as outlined in the appropriate student handbook. Students who repeatedly do not meet the dress code may face more severe consequences.

School staff shall not confront students on dress-code violations in a manner that unnecessarily disciplines or publicly shames the student. When a school staff member or school administrator discusses a dress code violation with a student, it is recommended that another adult should be present and at least one of the two adults should be the same sex as the student.

Legal References:
U.S. Constitution, 1st Amendment
RSA 189:15, Regulations
RSA 193:38, Discrimination in Public Schools

Category: R

1st Read: September 2, 2014
2nd Read: November 18, 2014
Adopted: November 18, 2014

1st Read: September 19, 2023
2nd Read: October 3, 2023
Adopted: October 3, 2023