Although we cannot give you a definitive list of what is/is not appropriate, listed below are the dress code guidelines that we expect the students to follow. Please note that we add items as we become aware of their potential for disruption and safety.  Clothing that is popular with gangs/negative student groups is disallowed. Such clothing items have been identified by law enforcement agencies as negative and carry the potential to cause intimidation and violence. Clothing with gang names, slang street names of students, eight ball markings which suggests drug use or feelings of discrimination or satanic markings are examples of this type of banned clothing. The following are also banned: trench coats, hair nets, do-rags, bandanas.

Part of that effort involves being focused on education when in the classroom and dressing for educational success. High Desert Middle School encourages students to take pride in their attire as it relates to the school setting. Students should dress in a manner that, in addition to the following guidelines, takes into consideration the educational environment, safety, health, and welfare of self and others. These are some guidelines. School administration, however, shall have final authority regarding student dress and appearance.

General

• Slits or holes in clothing are permitted below knee.
• Clothing intended for use as undergarments must be concealed.
• Writing, symbols or materials referencing sex, violence, hatred, tobacco, alcohol, drugs or having unacceptable or inflammatory language are not permitted.
• Shirts depicting scantily clad women are not permitted. Fatal T-Shirts are not permitted.
• Clothing that becomes too revealing or distracting is unacceptable (i.e. shorts, shirts).
• Dress indicating gang relations are not permitted including “Teardrops.”
• Trench coats or similar clothing are not permitted.
• • Backless, strapless, or spaghetti tops are not permitted. Straps should be at least 3 inches wide (about three finger widths). No bra straps showing.
  • See through fabric may not be worn unless over garment that otherwise is within the dress code.
  • No midriff exposure. Top must meet the waistline of bottoms when sitting, or standing.
  • Oversized shirts worn below the hips are inappropriate for school.
  • Pajamas are not allowed to be worn at school.

  Shoes

  • Footwear designed to be worn outdoors must be worn at all times. (e.g. no bare feet, bedroom slippers, dance shoes, etc.)
  • Some classes such as PE or industrial arts may have additional restrictions on footwear.
  • Roller-blades, skates, and other similar footwear may not be worn at school due to safety.

   Pants/Bottoms

  • Pants larger than two sizes above the normal size are not permitted.
  • Shorts/skirts must be touching the top of the knee.
  • Excessively long pants that drag the ground creating a safety hazard are not acceptable.

   Headwear

  • Headwear for ladies and gentlemen (including caps, hairnets, cowboy hats, stocking caps, hoodies and others) are not to be worn in the buildings except in areas and at times deemed appropriate by the administration. 

   Sunglasses

  • Sunglasses are not to be worn in the building

   Miscellaneous

  • Tattoos, jewelry, and other adornments must not be hate provoking, offensive, or show references to sex, drugs, alcohol, violence or have inflammatory language.
  • No bandanas of any color, size, or shape may be carried or displayed in any classroom or at any school activity. This also includes simulations of anything representing “colors.”
  • Students may not wear spikes, large chains, and other adornments that pose a safety risk.
  • Writing/drawing on the body is not permitted.
  • PDA (Public Display of  Affection) is not permitted. (Inappropriate physical contact including, but not limited to, intimate touching, kissing, etc. at school or a school sponsored activity)

   Exceptions for special activities, religious reasons, or health considerations may be pre-approved by the administrator.

   Students who volunteer for extracurricular activities, such as athletics, band, chorus, etc., are subject to the standards of dress as defined by the sponsors of such activities.

  Consequences for Violation

  Dress code violations will be handled under the school discipline code. In addition to the discipline under the code, the following remedies will be applied.                         

  • Students will be sent to the school nurse or office and will be expected to do one of the following: change into clothing provided by school, alter clothing to be in compliance, have other clothing brought to school, or remove the jewelry or accessory.
  • If student refuses to change clothes, student is sent home and counted as absent.
  • Other disciplinary actions such as detention, in-school suspension, or long term suspension.

   When appropriate, the student will be required to turn offending clothing inside out, wear school provided clothing, use school provided material to secure clothing or be sent home to change clothing.

  Students using school provided clothing will leave their inappropriate garment(s) at the office. It will be returned when the borrowed clothing has been washed and returned.