Dress Code Policy (Student)

  • A mandatory uniform policy for all students in St. Mary Parish has been implemented since the 1999-2000 school year. The policy of the St. Mary Parish School Board shall be that no mode of attire shall be considered proper for school wear that distracts from or disrupts classroom and school decorum. In questions regarding student dress and grooming, the principals of each school will make the final decision as to what is considered proper or improper dress. 

      

    The School Board feels it is the responsibility of each student to use good judgment in one's total appearance so that the attention of others is not distracted from the purpose of school. Cleanliness shall be a basic consideration. Any substantial complaint concerning the dress code will be dealt with by the school administration. 

     

    NOTIFICATION 

    The School Board shall notify the parent or guardian of each student of the dress code specifications and their effective date. The dress code shall be distributed in written form or posted on the school’s website annually. 

      

    If the School Board modifies the existing uniform policy, it shall notify, in writing, the parent or guardian of each student of the policy adoption or uniform policy modification at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the new or revised policy. Each school shall display any uniform selected for a reasonable period prior to the proposed effective date for wearing of the uniform. 

      

    However, nothing shall prohibit the School Board from requiring a new or revised dress code or uniform policy without the required notice in the event of an emergency. For the purposes of this policy, emergency shall mean an actual or imminent threat to health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage. 

     

    SCHOOL UNIFORMS 

    When purchasing school uniforms, parents should refer to the graphic below and the details that follow. Principals may schedule special dress days that veer from the dress code policy. 

    UNIFORM SHIRTS 

    • PreK to Grade 8. White or navy blue short or long-sleeved polo "golf" or oxford style shirts are to be worn by all elementary and junior high school students. "Polo" shirts must have at least two (2) buttons and a collar. Pockets are permissible. Oxford shirts must button all the way down. Shirts must be always tucked in. Name brand emblems are not allowed on shirts. 

     

    • Grades 9 to 12. White or school-colored short or long-sleeved polo "golf" or oxford style shirts are to be worn by all high school students with one exception. West St. Mary High School students will wear light blue shirts only to differentiate between B.E.B. students who are on the same campus. "Polo" shirts must have at least two (2) buttons and a collar. Pockets are permissible. Oxford shirts must button all the way down. Shirts must always be tucked in. Name brand emblems are not allowed on shirts. 

     

    Designated School Colors 

        • Berwick High School - Black
        • Centerville High School - Purple
        • Franklin Senior High School - Garnet
        • Morgan City High School - Forest Green
        • Patterson Senior High School - Red
        • West St. Mary High School - Light Blue (only) 

     

    UNIFORM BOTTOMS 

    • Male students must wear khaki-colored or black, uniform style pants or shorts (no jeans). Pants/shorts can be pleated or straight fronts. Pants/shorts are to be the appropriate size for the student, must fit properly at the waist and must be neither too tight nor too baggy. Pants/shorts must be worn so that the waist of the garment cannot go lower than the hipbone. No side pockets are allowed on the lower legs of pants/shorts. No external pockets are allowed on the pants/shorts. Exaggerated size pant bottoms (not to exceed 22" in circumference) and/or fraying of hems are not allowed. No visible name-brand emblems are allowed on these garments. Khaki-colored jean/denim style pants/shorts, overalls, corduroys, warm-ups, cargo, joggers, and drawstring clothing are not considered to be acceptable uniform style pants. Students in grades (Pre-K thru 2), will be allowed to wear pants or shorts that have an elastic waist. 

     

    • Female students must wear khaki-colored or black, uniform style pants or shorts, skirts, skorts or jumpers (no jeans). These garments can be pleated or straight fronts. These garments are to be the appropriate size for the student, must fit properly at the waist, (No hip-huggers or low riders), and must be neither too tight nor too baggy. No side pockets are allowed on the lower legs of pants/shorts. Exaggerated size pant bottoms (not to exceed 22" in circumference) and/or fraying of hems are not allowed. Short skirts cannot be wrapped around or have splits in front or back. Hemlines of shorts, skirts, skorts or jumpers cannot exceed two inches (2”) above the knee. Only longer skirts (27" or more) may have splits in back or side. No side pockets are allowed on pants/shorts or long skirts. No external pockets are allowed on pants/shorts or skorts. No visible name-brand emblems are allowed on these garments. Khaki-colored jean/denim style pant/shorts, overalls, corduroys, warm-ups, cargo, capri, leggings, jeggings, joggers, and drawstring clothing are not considered to be acceptable uniform style pants. In grades (Pre-K thru 2), students will be allowed to wear pants, shorts, skirts or skorts that have an elastic waist. 

    APPEARANCE OF UNIFORM 

    Clothing must be neat, clean, modest, properly worn, and the correct size for the student.  

     

    BACKPACKS 

    All schools will require see-through or mesh backpacks. See Clear Bag Policy.  

     

    BELTS 

    Students must wear a solid khaki, black, navy blue or brown (leather or cloth) belt with uniform style pants. (Standard size buckles are required–not to exceed 2" in height. (No big buckles are allowed.) 

     

    BLUE JEANS 

    On designated jean days as determined by the principal, blue jeans must meet the same criteria as the uniform pants.  

     

    BODY ARMOR 

    It shall be unlawful and against School Board policy for any student or non-student to wear or possess on his/her person, at any time, body armor on any School Board property, school campus, at a school-sponsored function, on a school bus or other school transportation, or in a firearm-free zone, with limited exceptions as enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95.9, which includes permitting a student to wear, carry, or possess a backpack on school property or a school bus that has bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury. 

      

    School-sponsored functions shall include, but not be limited to, athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities. A firearm-free zone means any area inclusive of any school campus and within 1,000 feet of any such school campus, and within a school bus, wherein the possession of firearms is prohibited, except as specifically set forth in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:95.2(C) and §14:95.6(B). Body armor shall mean bullet-resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury. 

     

    FACE COVERINGS (PPE) 

    Masks (worn for health purposes) are optional. Masks shall be solid colors or school appropriate print with no writings, emblems, insignias, or logos except those provided and/or approved by the superintendent or his/her designee. 

     

    GROOMING 

    The St. Mary Parish School Board feels it is the responsibility of each student to use good judgment in one’s total appearance so that the attention of others is not distracted from the purpose of school. Cleanliness and safety will be a basic consideration. 

     

    The suitability of all rules will be judged and enforced by the school administrators. 

    • School uniforms must be clean and neat. 

    • Haircuts and hairstyles must be neat, clean, and presentable. (Hair rollers or "set" is prohibited.) 

    • Fingernails, haircuts, and hairstyles may be prohibited if they present a danger to the student’s health and safety or create classroom or school disorder. 

    • All visible body pierced jewelry except for earrings on the ear shall be prohibited. 

    • Tattoos deemed as inappropriate by the principal are prohibited and must not be visible. 

     

    IDENTIFICATION CARDS (STUDENT ID) 

    School issued student identification cards must be worn by all students in grades (6-12th). NOTE: Patterson Jr. High will also require their 5th graders to wear school-issued identification cards. 

     

     

    INAPPROPRIATE PRINT 

    Items containing graffiti, writing, symbols, or logos, etc. perceived to be vulgar, profane, disruptive, gang-related, violent, heavy metal, tobacco or alcohol-related language shall not be worn or brought on the school campus. 

     

    JACKETS 

    A lightweight jacket, parka, or windbreaker can be worn when experiencing cooler weather (fall) or when buildings are too cool for students. The garment must be solid navy blue, khaki/tan, white, black, brown, or designated school color. No contrasting colors, stripes, etc. will be allowed. These garments may have hoods but no name brand emblems. (Hoods must be removed once inside the building.) Official school mascots/logos may be located on these additional garments. School-issued jackets may be taken into consideration as part of the uniform. 

     

    SHOES 

    Students must wear shoes such as tennis shoes (including high-tops), casual, or dress styles that are at the ankle or below. Shoes are to be always worn. They must be buckled, buttoned, tied, or zipped if so designed. No sandals, thongs, boots to the knee, or other inappropriate footwear are allowed. Shoes must have a complete front and back. Shoes requiring laces must have the laces and be kept always tied during the day. Boots that are part of a JROTC uniform or vocational course may be worn as required. 

     

    SOCKS 

    Students must wear solid white, black, brown, navy blue or khaki/tan colored socks with no logos or emblems on them. Socks must be worn above the ankle and must be always visible. (No anklets or footies socks allowed). The same-colored tights or stockings may be worn instead to accompany the uniform. 

     

    SPIRIT SHIRTS 

    Spirit shirts may be worn with approved pants/shorts, skirts, etc., on such designated days as determined by the principal. The students have the option of wearing the spirit shirt or the standard school uniform. 

     

    SWEATSHIRTS AND SWEATERS 

    Solid navy blue, khaki/tan, white, black, brown, or school-colored sweatshirts, sweaters or sweater vests may be worn over polo or oxford shirts. No contrasting colors, stripes, etc. will be allowed. Sweatshirts, sweaters and/or sweater vests may have an official school mascot/logo on them. Sweatshirts must be pullovers in nature and may not have hoods. Uniform shirt collars must always be visible when wearing these garments. 

     

     

    TRANSFER STUDENTS 

    Students who transfer into St. Mary Parish schools will be allowed two (2) weeks to purchase uniforms and comply with the policy. 

     

    UNDERGARMENTS 

    Proper undergarments are always to be worn. 

     

     

    CONSEQUENCES FOR DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS 

     

    The student dress code shall apply to all students in all schools. The following are approved disciplinary procedures for students (Pre-K - 12th grade) who are in noncompliance with the mandatory dress code policy.  

     

    NOTE: The school principal or his/her designee shall make final decisions on acceptance of garments within the uniform policy guidelines. 

     

    First Violation. The parents will bring an appropriate change of clothing to school. A call will be made to the parents to schedule a conference with the principal.  

     

    Second Violation. The parents will bring an appropriate change of clothing to school. The parent will be notified that the child is being assigned two hours in detention (SAC). The parents will attend a conference with the principal prior to the student returning to class. 

     

    Third Violation. The parents will bring an appropriate change of clothing to school. The parent will be notified that the child is being assigned four hours in detention (SAC). The parents will attend a conference with the principal prior to the student returning to class. 

     

    Continued Noncompliance. Students who are in continuous noncompliance of the dress code policy will be referred to the Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor. At this time, a disposition will be made for possible court action against the parent and/or student.  

     

    PK-5 Students. Students in Grades PreK through 5 shall not be suspended or expelled from school or suspended for uniform violations.