A Reference Guide of the Bakersfield City School District

Conduct and DisciplineStudent Dress and GroomingSchools will not allow any clothing, hair cuts, hair coloring, jewelry, etc., that is likely to lead to disciplinary problems atschool or a school-related activity because it:1. Threatens the health or safety of others or2. Prohibits full participation in the educational program or3. Distracts and keeps students from learning or4. When the school determines there is a threat to disrupt or a disruptive gang presence on a school campus,clothing, indicative of gang membership or association may be prohibited through the adoption of a schoolwidedress code prohibiting pupils from wearing gang-related apparel.5. For outdoor use during the school day, students are allowed to wear sun-protective clothing, including but notlimited to hats.6. Advocates illegal drug use or paraphernalia associated with illegal drugs or7. Encourages prejudice against others on the grounds of national origin, ancestry, ethnic group, race, color,religion, gender, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, age or physical or mental disability.Education Code 35183, 35294.1, 35183.5/California Administrative Code Title V, Section 302/(1984), Arcadia UnifiedSchool District v. State Department of Education.Student Dress GuidelinesThe following guidelines shall apply to all regular school activities:1. Oversized apparel that, if worn or displayed on a campus, reasonably could be determined to threaten the healthand safety of the school environment are prohibited. Clothing must fit at the waist, knee and ankle for a tailored look.Generally, pants must not be more than one inch larger than the waist. Shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, vests and jacketsshould be no more than two inches past the shoulder bone and must have a tailored look.2. Students must wear acceptable footwear at all times. It is recommended that closed footwear be worn. If sandals areworn, they must have heel straps. Thongs or backless shoes and shoes with skates are not acceptable.3. Clothing, jewelry and personal items (backpacks, fanny packs, gym bags, water bottles, etc.) shall be free of writing,pictures or any other insignia (a) that are crude, vulgar, profane or sexually suggestive, (b) that bear drug, alcohol ortobacco company advertising, promotions and likenesses, or (c) that encourage discrimination against others on thebasis of race, ancestry, national origin, color, religion, ethnic group, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital orparental status, physical or mental disability or the perception of one or more of such characteristics.4. Clothes shall appropriately conceal undergarments at all times.5. Bare midriffs are prohibited.6. Hair shall be clean and neatly groomed. Metal hair combs or other grooming products that threaten the health orsafety of school environment are prohibited.7. Body piercing accessories are prohibited with the following exceptions:a. A body piercing accessory exception will be granted when the principal determines the student’s body piercingaccessory is based on established and demonstrated religious tenets.b. Wearing of reasonable earrings which conform to (1) dress code and (2) health and safety regulations of the school.Education Code 35183, 35294.1-35294.2, 48907, 49066, California Administrative Code Title V, Section 302/(1984),Arcadia Unified School District v. State Department of Education; Hartzell v. Connell (1984) 35 Cal. 3d 899; Marvin H.Jeglin et al v. San Jacinto Unified School District et al 827 F.Supp. 1459 (C.D. Cal. 1993) & Montalvo v. MaderaUnified School District Board of Education (1971) 21 Cal.App.3d 323 (98 Cal.Rptr.593)Sun ProtectionStudents shall be allowed to wear sun-protective clothing, including but not limited to hats, for outdoor use during theschool day. This provision excludes specific clothing and hats determined by the school site to be gang-related orinappropriate apparel (see Student Dress Code).Students may also use sunscreen during the school day without a physician’s note or prescription. School staff will notassist students in applying sunscreen.Education Code 35183.5; Board Policy 605.1Enforcement of Schoolwide Dress CodeAny schoolwide dress code established pursuant to Education Code provisions shall be enforced by the principal or54