Due to safety concerns, dress code within TCTC classrooms and labs is more restrictive than that in the normal classroom setting. Teachers will provide specific instructions on the clothing, footwear, and PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) that students are required to utilize in their classes/labs. Failure to adhere to these requirements may prevent student participation in class thus resulting in lower grades and/or disciplinary action.

Policy JICA STUDENT DRESS, ARTICLES AND DISPLAYS Issued 7/18

Purpose: To establish the basic structure for determining appropriate dress standards for students.

Students are expected to dress and be groomed in such a way as to not distract or cause disruption in the educational program or orderly operation of the school. Students should dress for the educational setting and not the recreational one. To maintain an educational environment that is safe and conducive to the educational process, students in all grades shall abstain from wearing or possessing specified items during the school day.

Purpose: The district has determined that reasonable regulation of school attire can further important educational interests, including the following.

● reducing distractions and loss of self-esteem caused by teasing or competition over clothing

● minimizing disruptions from wearing inappropriate clothing or possessing inappropriate items at school

● providing an environment where students can focus more on learning

● enhancing school safety by making it more difficult to conceal weapons or contraband

● enhancing school safety by helping teachers and administrators identify individuals who are not enrolled in the school when they encounter them on school grounds

● enhancing school safety by prohibiting gang colors and paraphernalia

● reducing the cost of school clothing

● providing an educational environment where financial disparities between students, as reflected in clothing, are minimized

● creating a greater sense of community and school pride among the students

● instilling discipline in students

● helping students and parents/legal guardians to avoid peer pressure

● helping prepare students for further roles in the workplace

● creating an atmosphere reflecting seriousness of purpose about education

General guidelines

● Clothing will not be so extreme or inappropriate to the school setting as to disrupt the educational process as determined by the administration.

● Hair styles, hair colors or hair adornments will not be so extreme or inappropriate to the school setting as to disrupt the educational process as determined by the administration.

● Garments, jewelry or articles of clothing will not display emblems related to alcohol, illegal or abusive substances, gangs, violence, sex or obscenities.

● Tops and bottoms deemed as distracting, revealing, overly suggestive or otherwise disruptive will not be permitted. Garments will assure modesty when the student is seated or engaged in school activities.

● No sweat pants, running shorts, spandex or cargo pants are permitted.

● Tights, leggings, jeggings or jegging-style pants cannot be worn as bottoms.

● Shirts and blouses must cover shoulders and torso, be neither too tight nor too loose as to be revealing or pose a safety hazard.

● Wearing accessories or clothing that could pose a safety threat to one’s self or others is not allowed. This includes heavy chains not made as jewelry, fishhooks, multiple finger rings (rings welded together resembling brass knuckles or rings that can be used as a weapon), studded/spiked bracelets or collars, nose/lip to ear chains, etc. will not be allowed.

● Body piercing and/or body art that is disruptive to the order of the school or is a distraction to the learning environment will not be allowed.

● Students may not wear large pendants, large medallions or large dangling earrings or any other distracting or unsafe jewelry. School administrators will make determination based on grade levels (primary, elementary, middle school, high school).

Dress Code Requirements

Shirts, vests, sweaters and sweatshirts (tops)

For the purpose of this policy, shirts, vests, sweaters and sweatshirts are referred to as tops. To that end, tops may be solid white or approved solid colors.

● Students will wear plain shirts with a collar or school (where the student attends) sponsored t-shirts

. ● Shirts may have school-approved/manufactured logos.

● Shirts may not exceed one size larger than necessary as determined by the school administrator.

● White or approved colored t-shirts or turtle neck shirts (long or short sleeve) may be worn under shirts.

Pants, jeans, skirts, skorts, jumpers, capri length pants and shorts (bottoms)

For purposes of this document pants, skirts, skorts, jumpers, capri pants and shorts are referred to as bottoms. To that end, bottoms must be solid khaki, black, or navy.

● Denim jeans without holes and rips are permitted.

● Bottoms must be free of graphics and embroidery. With the exception of small labels, bottoms may not have insignias, words or pictures.

● Shorts, skirts, skorts and jumpers will be no shorter than 2 1⁄2” above the knee when standing.

● Cargo-style pants or shorts are not permitted.

● Clothing will not exceed one size larger than necessary as determined by the school administrator.

● Baggy or sagging pants or shorts are not permitted.

● "Low rise" clothing is not permitted.

● Bottoms (excluding jumpers) will be worn at the natural waistline and properly fitted to prevent sagging.

● Belts will be worn in pants, skirts, shorts or shorts that have belt loops. Exceptions may be made for preschool and kindergarten students as needed by administration. Belts must be buckled and tucked in loops. Belt buckles must not be oversized, computerized or have any writing that is considered offensive.

Shoes, sneakers and boots (footwear)

● Footwear will be worn at all times, and, as needed, shoes will conform to special requirements, i.e., PE class, ROTC, science labs, culinary arts, etc.

● Laces on shoes or sneakers will match the shoe color and be tied.

● Flip flops, slides, plastic shoes, slippers, and stiletto heeled shoes are not permitted.

● “Heelies” styled shoes with wheels in the soles are not permitted.

Coats, jackets, vests, sweaters and sweatshirts

Coats and jackets may not be more than one size larger than necessary. Coats that present a distraction as determined by the school administration (e.g. characters, large logos, advertisements) will be banned. No hoods are to be worn inside buildings. Students may wear vests, sweaters or sweatshirts that do not exceed one size larger or smaller than necessary as determined by the school administrator.

Other clothing items and accessories

● Student IDs must be worn at the middle school and high school.

● Any adornment that could be perceived as, or used as, a weapon such as chains, spikes, etc., is not permitted.

● Gang-related clothing, accessories, symbols or intimidating items of dress, as maybe identified by local law enforcement agencies, are not permitted.

● Head coverings of any kind including, but not limited to, hats, caps, bandanas, curlers, masks, visors, kerchiefs, athletic sweatbands, earmuffs, sunglasses, doo rags, and hoods are not permitted. Head coverings will not be worn, carried, hung on belts or around the neck or kept in classroom during regular school hours. Exemptions can be made by the school administration for inclement weather. If there is a medical/religious reason for a student to wear one of the above listed items, see the section entitled Exceptions to Dress Code.

Other dress code requirements

Students will dress according to the dress code standards at all times when school is in session. Students who are taking classes that require a special dress code, such as ROTC or career and technical education internships, may wear that uniform to other classes. Principals may make exceptions to the dress code policy for special events, such as picture day, dress down days, and field trips, and may allow a different standard for athletic teams or other school clubs or activities. Clothing designated for school athletic events, i.e., cheerleader outfit, that does not meet the above guidelines will not be worn during the instructional day unless appropriate additional garments are worn with the outfit.

First Offense

Students will be informed that they have violated the dress code policy. They will be given an opportunity to change into acceptable clothing by using available clothes at school or by calling a parent/legal guardian to bring clothes, and / or proper footwear. If the violation is corrected within a reasonable time, a warning will be issued. If neither of these options is used, students may be placed in an alternative setting, if available, for the remainder of the day.

Second Offense

A second infraction of the dress code shall be considered as failure to comply. In addition to the disciplinary actions available for a first offense, a parent/guardian conference shall be held.

Third Offense and subsequent offenses

A third or subsequent violation of the dress code shall be categorized as a Level II – Disruptive Conduct offense as outlined in Policy JICDA-R - Code of Student Conduct and a student shall be subject to the consequences outlined therein, including but not limited to out-of-school suspension. Disciplinary action may vary when a student has a record of other student conduct violations during a current school year.

Administrative determination

In all cases of questionable dress code violations, the principal has the authority to make the final determination as to whether a particular style or garment violates this policy. If the principal determines that a student has violated the policy, the student will receive the appropriate disciplinary consequence.

Exceptions to Dress Code

Exemption procedures

Reasonable consideration shall be made for those students who, because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical reason(s), request a waiver of a particular guideline for dress or appearance.

● The waiver request will be submitted to the principal in writing from the parent/legal guardian and approved or disapproved by the principal and/or his/her designee on an annual basis or for a specified period of time.

● In considering a waiver request, the principal and/or his/her designee has the right to request documentation from medical officials and/or religious leaders.

1069 Thunderbolt Drive, Walterboro, SC 29488 | Phone 843-782-4514 | Fax 843-538-3009

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

Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center

Parent Information

State Report Card

Attendance

CATE Progress Advisory Committee

Cell Phone Policy

Contact the TCTC Director

Daily Schedule

Dress Code Policy

Grading

Nurse and Student Wellness

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and School Improvement Council (SIC)

PBIS

Powerschool Parent Portal

School Guidance Counselor

Student Enrollment

Supply Lists

Tip line

Transportation

Visiting Our School

Volunteer