Tuesday, February 01, 2000 

This policy is intended to supplement and compliment Uniform Policy 349.  In keeping with the Board’s Uniform Policy to promote discipline and enhance the learning environment for all students this policy addresses the appropriate appearance of students for the learning experiences afforded in the educational process.  When, in the judgment of the principal  a student’s appearance or mode of dress is distractive, disrupts the educational process or constitutes a threat to his/her health or safety, the student may be required to make requested modifications.

At a minimum standard for appearance, students should:

1.   Groom hair so that it is clean and safe for participation in any school activity;

2.   Use shoes or boots appropriate to the weather;

3.   Wear outer attire which is not distractive, i.e., contains gang related or satanic symbolism or is profane, sexually suggestive or which advocates racial, ethnic or religious prejudice or the use of drugs or alcohol;

4.   Students may not wear buttons, arm bands or other accouterments in exercise of the rights of freedom of expression which contain gang related or satanic symbolism or profane, sexually suggestive or which advocates racial or religious prejudice or the use of drugs or alcohol.

The Superintendent may establish parent, faculty, and student committees, district wide to develop additional standards of appearance to be used by students at the elementary, middle school and high school levels.  Such standards shall be written and published through the student handbook for each school and by written communication to parents.

See policies: 349 (Uniforms), 346 (Gang Activity)

Rio Rancho Public Schools

Adopted: June 27, 1994

Revised: August 9, 1999