Dress Code
Why a Dress Code?
There are two fundamental reasons for a school dress code:
1. to ensure the health and safety of everyone on campus
2. to avoid any unacceptable disruptions to the learning environment
A tertiary, and not altogether unimportant, reason for a dress code is to encourage students in appropriate dress habits so they are prepared for the professional world beyond high school and college. To some extent, any dress code involves a degree of subjectivity concerning what is and is not acceptable, and what may or may not be disruptive. Again, the primary reason for Carnegie Vanguard’s dress code is to foster an atmosphere conducive to learning for all our students. Therefore, items representing extreme or outrageous fads, provocative dress, or overly casual clothing, to cite some examples, cannot be permitted.
Also, Carnegie Vanguard will not tolerate gang-related behavior and/or the wearing of gang-identified articles of clothing and/or other gang symbols. Any articles of clothing, symbols, or emblems thought to signify gang membership will be banned.
Determination of the appropriateness of attire for school occasions and activities rests ultimately with the faculty and administration. The Carnegie Vanguard faculty and administration will enforce the Carnegie Vanguard dress code in a uniform manner. All students have the responsibility to wear clothing that contributes both to their own health and safety as well as that of others. The student dress code applies to students on campus, whether during the school day or after hours, including those serving detention or Saturday School.
Please note: Violations of the Carnegie Vanguard dress code will result in disciplinary action.
Students who disagree with particular requirements of the Carnegie Vanguard dress code are encouraged to work within the system to request changes. Use your representatives on the student council to express your opinions. Of course, there are many interests for the school to consider in deciding policy, but please know that student concerns are given serious consideration whenever policy is developed. As a general rule, however, the Carnegie Vanguard dress code will not be revised more frequently than once a year. Also, courts at both the state and federal levels have recognized the rights of school officials to regulate standards of student dress and grooming.
The Carnegie Vanguard dress code requires students to remain clean and covered using modest, casual attire with an appropriate fit. Covered is defined as shorts that come down to the knee, pants and shorts worn at the waist, shirts that have sleeves and come below the waistband and do not reveal the midriff or lower back.
The Details
Head coverings and hair
Sunglasses, hats, caps, sweat bands (except when approved for PE and dance classes), and head coverings of any kind are not to be worn indoors. Any exceptions to this policy due to religious or medical requirements must be submitted in writing and approved by the Carnegie Vanguard administration in advance.
* Hair rollers, metal rakes, and combs are not to be worn.
* Hair should be clean and well kept.
* In some laboratory settings, teachers may require that long or free-flowing hair be covered or restrained.
* Hair styles should not detract from the educational process and are subject to administrative intervention.
Clothing
Students are required to wear standard, conventional school clothes - dresses, shirts, blouses, slacks, or jeans. Clothing should be clean and in generally good repair. Also, one’s clothing must fit; i.e., articles of clothing may neither be too tight or suggestive, nor excessively baggy or loosely fitting. A decent coverage of the body is required. Clothing that makes it difficult or awkward for one to move freely, sit, bend, or reach is not acceptable.
Other items that are not permitted:
* Shirts without sleeves, those too tight, and those showing too much skin are prohibited. This includes muscle shirts, tank tops, halter tops, tube tops, net or sheer tops, spandex tops, low cut tops, and bare midriffs.Shirts and blouses must be buttoned to a level even with one’s armpits and shirts and blouses must cover ones midriff and back.
* Dresses and blouses may not be backless or off the shoulder, and they must have straps that are at least one inch wide. Students must maintain a modest appearance appropriate to the school environment.
* Full-length tights or leggings may only be worn under other garments (such as skirts or long, straight-hemmed blouses) that extend at least below one’s fingertips plus one inch when one is standing completely erect.
* Pants of all types must be worn with the waistband above one’s hips. Underwear must not be visible.
* Pajamas are not suitable school attire.
Skirts and dresses must extend at least below one’s fingertips plus one inch when one is standing completely erect; and they must be sufficient in length to maintain modesty when standing, sitting, or bending. Students should keep these requirements in mind as they shop for or select school clothes.
Outfits for PE and athletics classes may only be worn in the area(s) where those classes are taking place (i.e., the gym or practice field).
Clothing depicting or making reference to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vulgar or obscene language, sexual promiscuity, the occult, death, violence, or gang-related activities may not be worn.
Jewelry
Expensive or irreplaceable jewelry should not be worn to school.
In some laboratory settings, teachers may prohibit the wearing of dangling or protruding articles or accessories.
Jewelry depicting or making reference to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vulgar or obscene language, sexual promiscuity, the occult, death, violence or gang-related activities may not be worn.
Jewelry items such as spiked dog collar, spiked bracelets, linked chains (for wallets or necklaces) are prohibited.
Shoes
Students must wear closed toe and closed heel shoes with substantial soles at all times. Flip-flops, slides, sandals, and house slippers are not acceptable footwear as they present a safety risk. Due to safety considerations, teachers may require non-skid, closed shoes in some labs during experiments or project work.
Personal Items
Skateboards, skates, and roller blades are prohibited.
According to Texas state law and HISD board policy, audio and electronic equipment such as lasers, radios, tape or CD players, TVs, gameboys and similar videogames are prohibited on campus during school hours. Calculators and cell phones used for playing games will be considered game devices and fall under the same regulations. Such items, if found in a student’s possession, will be confiscated and turned in to the HISD Property Management Department. Some items may not necessarily be returned to students. HISD policy requires a fee for the return of these items. Texas Education Code 37.082 requires a $15.00 retrieval fee for these items.
Cell phones and pagers are allowed on campus but may not be used during the school’s instructional hours.
Non-compliance with the Dress Code
First Offense:
* Parent will be contacted to bring appropriate clothing.
* The student will be held in the office, in detention, for the remainder of the day, or until appropriate clothing is brought and the student changes.
Second Offense:
* Parent will be contacted to bring appropriate clothing.
* The student will be held in the office, in detention, for the remainder of the day, or until appropriate clothing is brought and the student changes.
* The student will be assigned one hour of Saturday detention
* The student will receive an "Office P" in conduct for the six weeks.
Third Offense:
* Parent will be contacted to bring appropriate clothing.
* The student will be held in the office, in detention, for the remainder of the day, or until appropriate clothing is brought and the student changes.
* The student will be assigned One hour of Saturday detention and receive an "Office U" in conduct for the six weeks.
* If the Growth Plan is not completed satisfactorily, the student may be exited from the Vanguard Program.
