Dress Code

The Governor Mifflin School District believes that the student dress code and administrative enforcement should support staff and student dignity, a safe and welcoming environment, equitable educational access and a sense of belonging for all students.

Students Must Wear:

• A Shirt, AND

• Bottom: Pants/Sweatpants/Shorts/Skirt/Dress/Leggings, AND

• Shoes.  There may be specific requirements due to student safety regarding appropriate footwear in certain classroom settings.
   

Students Cannot Wear:

• Items with violent language or images (e.g. weapons)

• Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity)

• Hate speech, profanity, provocative images

• Images of language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment that does not honor dignity, marginalizes students or staff, and/or elicits a feeling of a lack of belonging of a student and/or staff member

• Swimsuits (except as required in class or athletic practice)

• Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon

• Any item that obscures the face (except as a religious observance or masks for reasons such as COVID-19)

• Visible underwear (visible waistbands or straps on undergarments worn under other clothing are not a violation)

• Attire with a gang-related association

School Administrators will have discretion to address attire that interferes with the educational process or is deemed inappropriate for a school setting.

The Governor Mifflin School District believes that the student dress codes should support equitable educational access and should not reinforce gender stereotypes.  Student dress codes and administrative enforcement should not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, household income, or cultural observance.  In addition, students should not face unnecessary barriers to school attendance.  Ultimately, the student and their parent/guardian hold the primary responsibility in determining the student’s personal attire, hairstyle, jewelry, and personal items (e.g. backpacks, book bags).  Schools are responsible for ensuring that student attire, hairstyle, jewelry, and personal items contribute to the honoring of dignity and sense of belonging for each and every student and staff member.

Basic Principle:  

Private body parts must be covered for all students at all times.  Clothes must work in a way that private parts are fully covered with opaque (neither transparent or translucent) fabric.  All items listed in the “must wear” category below must meet this basic principle.

Students Must Wear, while following the basic principle of Section 1 above:

• A Shirt, AND

•  Bottom: Pants/Sweatpants/Shorts/Skirt/Dress/Leggings, AND

•  Shoes.  There may be specific requirements due to student safety regarding appropriate footwear in certain classroom settings.
   

Students Cannot Wear:

•  Items with violent language or images (e.g. weapons)

• Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity)

• Hate speech, profanity, provocative images/pornography

• Images of language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment that does not honor dignity, marginalizes students or staff, and/or elicits a feeling of a lack of belonging of a student and/or staff member.

• Swimsuits (except as required in Phys. Ed. class or athletic practice)

• Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon

• Any item that obscures the face (except as a religious observance or masks for reasons such as COVID-19)

• Visible underwear (visible waistbands or straps on undergarments worn under other clothing are not a violation)

• Attire with a gang-related association

• Body markings or tattoos that do not meet the above standards must be fully covered.  The wearing of outer garments and headwear will be permitted in school vehicles and at school activities when appropriate.
   

School Administrators will have discretion to address attire that interferes with the educational process or is deemed inappropriate for a school setting.