Updated Dress Code Policy For Morgan Is Revealed

The dress code for Morgan School students has been discussed and revised by the Board of Education and school leaders over the past few months and has been finalized with a few changes.

The biggest change is that hats and sunglasses are no longer allowed.  Head coverings of any kind (except for those required by religious practices) are not allowed in school. You can wear a wool cap to walk to school on a cold day, but it needs to be removed once you are inside.

The past code restricted sexually-provocative clothing (short shorts, see-through blouses, etc.), any clothing with messages of drugs, gangs, etc., and any article of clothing that could be used as a weapon, and that's about all. The new dress code supplements this list.

The 2007 and older dress code allowed for hats to be worn by students, but at the classroom teachers' discretion. That is no longer allowed.

Here is the final code which was mailed to parents/guardians as per The Morgan School administration and the Board of Education:

In order to maintain an environment conducive to the educational process, The Morgan School prohibits the following from wear during the academic school day:

1. Shirts and/or blouses which reveal the abdomen, chest, or undergarments.
2. Shorts, miniskirts, or pants which reveal the upper thigh or undergarments.  Spandex garments are allowed only if they are covered by shorts or skirts.
3. See-through clothing, tube tops or ‘spaghetti strap’ tops or clothing designed as sleepwear.
4. Attire or accessories which depict logo or emblems that encourage sexually implicit messages, the use of drugs, tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages.
5. Attire or accessories which contain overtly offensive or disruptive writing or pictures likely to unduly disrupt the educational environment, or which constitute “fighting words.”
6. Head coverings of any kind, including but not limited to scarves, bandannas, masks, headbands*, visors, kerchiefs, athletic sweatbands, hats, caps, or hoods.  Any head covering worn to school, needs to be put away upon arrival to the building. Approved coverings worn as part of a student's religious practice or belief shall not be prohibited under this policy.
7. Footwear which mars floors or is a safety hazard.
8. Sunglasses, whether worn or carried.
9. Spiked or studded accessories, oversized or multi-finger rings, oversized metal belt buckles, or any clothing item that may present a safety hazard to the student, other students, or staff.
10. The administration has the right to deem other items inappropriate if they are considered a safety hazard or distraction to the educational practice.

Backpacks and/or book bags are permitted to be carried between classes, but shall not obstruct safe passage in the classroom or in the corridors.

Students who fail to comply with The Morgan School policy and regulations concerning student dress will be subject to school discipline up to and including expulsion in accordance with the Board of Education’s policy on student discipline.

* A member of the Board of Education clarified this to mean tennis or athletic-type headbands are not allowed, but hairbands that teenage girls often wear to hold their hair back are allowed.