WESTERN INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – DRESS CODE POLICY

The intention of the Dress Code is to promote an inclusive and positive community, and as such, will apply to regular school days, summer school days, after-school events, as well as any school-related events and course/club activities, such as graduation ceremonies, dances, prom, and athletic events.  To ensure effective and equitable enforcement of this dress code, school staff shall enforce the dress code consistently without reinforcing or increasing marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, or body type/size.

DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category in its educational programs and activities.

Students and parents/guardians who feel there has been discriminatory enforcement of the dress code should report the concern to school staff and/or the Office of Equity, Advocacy and Civil Rights.

Individual schools have the option of requiring students to wear a uniform – usually a solid collar shirt, polo, or t-shirt and skirt, pants, or shorts.  Check with your school for detailed information regarding the style and color of the uniform.

Students cannot be excluded from school for not wearing their uniform.  Concerns about school uniform requirements should be addressed to your school’s Principal.  If financial needs make purchasing the required uniform difficult for your family, please inquire at your school.  The school may have information about uniform exchanges or low-cost purchasing options.

At schools that do not require a uniform, students must conform to this dress code:

General Requirements

• Students may be required to wear certain types of clothing, usually for safety reasons, while participating in classes such as physical education, shop, chemistry, etc., or in curricular and extracurricular classes or activities such as band, choir, dance, drama, and theater.
• Students are responsible for keeping themselves and their clothes neat and clean.
• Students may wear their hair in any style they choose.
• Students may wear headdresses (such as hats, religious headwear, hoodies, etc.) if it allows the face to be visible to staff and does not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff.
• Students may wear PPE (masks, gloves) to guard against health-related risks.

Students May Not Wear

• Styles of clothes that endanger themselves or other students.
• Bedtime attire such as pajamas, undershirts, or undergarments as outerwear.
• Students’ clothing or tattoos may not display statements or pictures that are related to the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, or sex, or that promote hate and / or violence or signify gang affiliations.
• Attire that may be considered weapons, including but not limited to chain belts or wallet chains.
• Jewelry or similar artifacts that are obscene or may cause disruptions to the educational environment.
• Hair rollers or hair curlers.

District Dress Code Policy