File:  JICA - Student Dress Code

Dress Code Philosophy

SSD is an equity seeking system that focuses on the academic and personal success of every student. Summit School District (SSD) believes all students have the right to dress and style their hair for school in a manner that expresses their individuality without fear of unnecessary discipline or body shaming.  Enforcement of this universal dress code should not create disparities, reinforce stereotypes or increase marginalization of any group, nor will it be more strictly enforced against students because of racial identity, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, gender nonconformity, sexual orientation, cultural identity, religious identity, household income or body type/size.

Dress Code Policy

The Board of Education recognizes that students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are primarily responsible for determining the students' personal appearance (clothing, hairstyle, jewelry, headgear, hats, book bags, etc.). Students' hair will not be considered a cause for dress code violation unless it violates the Safety/Non-Allowable Dress expectations addressed later in the policy.

In Summit School District a student's personal appearance should not interfere with the health or safety of any student or staff member. Students and staff are responsible for managing their own personal distractions and reactions. The following general standards will be in effect at all SSD schools grade PK-12:

Mandatory and Allowable Dress:

•  Students must wear a top, bottom and footwear while on school premises
•  Some courses may require adjustments to attire and hair to ensure safety during academic activities (i.e. science labs, PE, electives like welding, art, culinary, etc.)
•  School-sponsored extracurricular activities may require or allow for specific attire (safety gear, athletic attire, uniforms, hair tied back, etc.)

Non-Allowable Dress:

•  Items that expose private parts of the body* (Those body parts that violate indecent exposure laws in the state of Colorado (example, nipples, buttocks, genitalia.)
•  Undergarments may not be worn as a primary piece of clothing (Speedos and swimsuits included)
•  Items with sexually suggestive language or messages
•  Items and visual representations that promote illegal or violent conduct, including but not limited to, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons and/or gang affiliation
•  Items that depict hate speech, intimidation or intolerance toward others
•  Items that are profane or legally libelous
•  Items that make the students face unidentifiable (protective masks, clothing/headgear
worn for religious and medical purposes are excepted)

These standards will be published and distributed to students, families and staff at the beginning of each school year; a copy will be kept on District and school websites.

Dress Code Enforcement

Dress code enforcement should focus on education and restorative practices along with enforcement of the policy. To ensure effective and equitable enforcement of this dress code, school staff shall enforce the dress code consistently using the requirements outlined in this policy. School administration and staff shall not have discretion to vary the requirements in ways that lead to discriminatory enforcement. Staff shall not confront students on dress-code violations in a manner that unnecessarily disciplines or publicly shames the student.

Students shall only be asked to change, cover or remove their attire if they are wearing non-allowable items identified above. Under these circumstances students shall have the following options to comply with the dress code for the remainder of the day:

•  Wear their own alternative clothing, if available at school
•  Wear school provided clothing
•  Call a parent or guardian to bring alternative clothing

A review of this policy with student & parent/guardian, and contact with the parent/guardian with the student and a staff member present in addition to the above three options, is recommended following a dress code policy violation. It is also recommended that this conversation would happen outside of class time.

More severe consequences may result from repeated or serious violations in accordance with policy at the discretion of the building Administrator.

Adopted August 22, 1995
Revised: July 28, 1999
Revised:  October 11, 2011
Revised:  September 10, 2013
Revised: June 16, 2022

LEGAL REF.:  C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (2)(l)((J) board duty to adopt student dress code)

CROSS REFS.: IMDB, Flag Displays

JBB, Sexual Harassment

JIC, Student Conduct

JICDA, Code of Conduct

JICF, Secret Societies/Gang Activity

JICH, Drug and Alcohol Involvement by Students

JICI, Weapons in School

JK, Student Discipline

JKD/JKE, Suspension/Expulsion of Student