2022 – 2023 DRESS CODE

GRPS DRESS CODE – NO MORE UNIFORMS!
SCHOLAR APPEARANCE AND PRESENTATION OF DRESS

We believe that all scholars should have the opportunity to express themselves and show up as their authentic selves. We also have high expectations of our
scholars, which includes expecting them to dress appropriately during the school day and during school-sponsored events. In accordance with GRPS School Board Policy 8240, “Students shall not dress, groom themselves, or appear in a manner that: endangers or interferes with the health or welfare of that student or of other students; causes disruption or directly interferes with the educational process; and/or otherwise promotes illegal activities through the use of symbols or language. The decision of whether a student is in violation of this policy is determined by the building administrator and is not appealable.” Please see the language below for more guidance. “If the manner of dress, grooming, or appearance disrupts the normal educational process, building administrators shall take necessary action to correct the situation, including removing a student from class, sending a student home, requesting parents provide appropriate clothing, or, to the extent reasonable, asking students to remove or change offending clothing.

Scholars shall:
1. Be dressed and groomed appropriately for the school setting and/or school-sponsored events in a way that promotes a safe environment
conducive to teaching and learning.
2. Be covered with no undergarments, mid-drifts, or cleavage showing. This applies to all scholars, irrespective of gender or gender identity.
3. Wear clothing that allows them to sit and move around comfortably without showing the above mentioned undergarments or body parts
4. Wear appropriate footwear at all times. House slippers are not permissible.
5. Be permitted to wear head coverings for religious or medical purposes only.
6. Wear jewelry that will not present a safety hazard to themselves or others or cause excessive wear or damage to school property or the
property of others in the school.
7. Be permitted to wear clothing with logos, but not images that advertise or promote drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gang activity/affiliation, racism, sexism, or
any other type of prejudice, bias, or discriminatory language/activity.

The purpose behind this policy is to provide scholars with freedom to express themselves while ensuring safety and educational goals. The new dress code prohibits dress and personal grooming that:

1. Endangers or interferes with the health or welfare of the scholars; and/or
2. Causes disruption or directly interferes with the educational process; and/or
3. Promotes illegal activities; and/or
4. Includes logos that promote drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gangs, racism, sexism, or any type of prejudice.

For example, scholars must be dressed appropriately for the school setting, no undergarments, midriff, or cleavage should be showing. Head coverings are allowed for religious or medical purposes only.
 
Additional guidance regarding the dress code is available in the GRPS Scholar Resource and Responsibility Guide (formerly known as Student Handbook), which you will find on the GRPS website at www.grps.org/scholarguide.
 
If you have questions regarding the new dress code, please do not hesitate to contact your scholar’s school directly. You may also contact the Communications Department at 616-819-2149 or communications@grps.org.