5.5.1 Dress/Appearance Standards

(SFUSD Board Policy 5132)

Students shall not wear clothing that presents a health or safety hazard or is likely to cause a substantial disruption to the educational program.  In cooperation with teachers, students, and parents/guardians, the principal or designee may establish school rules governing student dress and grooming which are consistent with law, Board policy, and administrative regulations.  The following guidelines shall apply to all regular school activities:

1. Clothing, jewelry, and personal items shall be free of writing, pictures, or any other insignia which is vulgar, lewd, obscene, profane, or sexually suggestive or which promotes the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or other illegal activity.
2. Appropriate shoes must be worn at all times.
3. Hats, caps, and other head coverings shall not be worn indoors except as provided below.
4. Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments. See-through tops or bare abdomens are prohibited.  Garments exposing the entire thigh or the buttocks are prohibited.

The dress code shall be modified as appropriate to accommodate a student's religious or cultural observance, health condition, or other circumstance deemed necessary by the principal or designee. In addition, the principal or designee may impose dress requirements to accommodate the needs of special school activities, physical education classes, athletic activities, and other extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

Students shall be allowed to wear sun-protective clothing, including but not limited to hats, for outdoor use during the school day.  (CA Education Code 35183.5)

The principal or designee is authorized to enforce this policy and shall inform any student who does not reasonably conform to the dress code. When practical, students shall not be directed to correct a dress code violation during instructional time or in front of other students.  Repeated violations or refusal to comply with the District's dress code may result in behavioral interventions but not suspension or expulsion.

The dress code shall not be enforced in a manner that discriminates against a particular viewpoint or results in a disproportionate application of the dress code based on students' gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, household income, or body type or size.  Students shall not be prohibited from dressing in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression or with their religious or cultural observance.