Gender Neutral Dress Code

Lewis Middle School Dress Code

 

At Lewis Middle School, we understand that how you dress allows you to feel confident, focused and ready for learning. We also understand that the primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and parents/guardians. LMS is responsible for ensuring that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student and that one’s attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student. 

The dress code requirements below apply equally to students regardless of gender identity and must be implemented by all staff consistently, which is grounded in the following principles: 

  • All Students should be encouraged to dress in a manner that is comfortable and conducive to an active school day.
  • Students should be able to wear clothing without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming.
  • The student dress code should serve to support all students to develop a body positive self-image.

 

Students Must wear:

  • Shirt and bottom- or a single article of clothing - that covers a student in the area indicated in the diagram below regardless* of physical activity and without constant readjustment. Material must be opaque (non-see-through)
  • Shirts must have straps of some kind or sleeves. There is no width requirement for straps.
  • Shoes with a firm sole.
  • Clothing must cover the trunk of the body from below the armpit to the upper thigh and covering buttocks, including the midsection. Shirts must have straps of some kind or sleeve

*Coaches and teachers may impose more specific dress requirements to accommodate the special needs of certain sports and/or classes (e.g., athletic shoes for PE or closed-toe shoes for lab activities). 

 

Students May NOT Wear:

  • Images or language depicting:
  • Violent language or images (weapons, etc.)
  • Drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity)
  • Hate speech, profanity, pornography
  • Images or language that otherwise may create a hostile or intimidating environment
  • Visible underwear (waistbands or straps on undergarments worn under clothing are fine)
  • Bathing Suits
  • Non-religious helmets or headgear that hide the face.

 

Students May Wear:

  • Hats (students may be asked to remove at the discretion of staff when inside classrooms)
  • Hoodie sweatshirts (students may be asked to remove the hood at discretion of staff when inside classrooms/school buildings)
  •  Ripped jeans, as long as underwear and buttocks are not exposed
  • Tank tops and halter tops
  • Athletic wear
  • Sun-protective clothing, including but not limited to hats, for outdoor use during the school day (Education Code 35183.5) 

If a student is not meeting the “must wear” and “must not wear” requirements in the dress code, the student will be informed by staff in a respectful and professional manner and instructed to correct the violation in a manner to limit loss of instructional time while balancing the seriousness of the violation. Violations will be corrected by changing into other clothes the student already has at school, removing the non-complying clothing if the student will be otherwise appropriately dressed, or turning clothes inside out. 


Like any other school rule or guideline, continual violations will be discussed with parents/guardians and may be assigned further consequences.


Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.