Dress Code for Grades 9 - 12

All students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in the Meriwether County School System shall adhere to the following standardized dress code:

Pants/Jeans:

Blue or black denim jeans, solid khaki or navy tailored pants may be worn by girls and boys.  They must be of an appropriate size and worn at the natural waistline.  A belt must be worn if the pants/jeans have belt loops.  For safety reasons, the belt must not dangle and the pants/jeans must not touch the floor.  For safety reasons, no Cargo-style pants/jeans (with outside pockets) or over-sized baggy pants/jeans are allowed.  Pants/jeans with holes are not allowed.  

Shorts:

Blue or black denim, solid khaki or navy tailored shorts may be worn by boys and girls.  They must be an appropriate size and worn at the natural waistline.  A belt must be worn if the shorts have belt loops.  For safety reasons, the belt must not dangle. Shorts must be worn below the knee.  No Gym or athletic silky-type shorts are allowed.  No tights/leggings, bicycle shorts are allowed.  For safety reasons, no cargo-style shorts (with outside pockets) or over-sized shorts are allowed. No shorts with holes are allowed.  Shorts can only be worn from the 1^st day of school through September 30^th and from April 1^st through the last day of the school year.

Shirts/Blouses:

Solid white, light blue, navy, burgundy or, for Greenville High School, red or royal blue and for Manchester High School, royal blue or gray shirts and blouses may be worn by boys and girls. They may have long or short sleeves and must have an appropriate collar. Appropriate collar styles include traditional shirt collars (button-down or wing-style), turtlenecks, Henley and buttoned bands. For safety reasons, shirts and blouses must be of an appropriate size and must be worn tucked in unless they have banded hems.  Small brand name logos or school logos are acceptable. School related T-shirts may only be worn on Fridays.  No tank tops, shirts and blouses made with mesh or see-through fabrics, that are cut in such a way as to allow undergarments or excessive skin to be seen are allowed.

Sweaters/Jackets:

Solid white, gray, navy or for Greenville High School red or royal blue and for Manchester High School royal blue or gray cardigan or pullover sweaters or sweatshirts may be worn. For safety reasons, no trench coats or other jackets that extend below mid-thigh or oversized sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets or coats are allowed.

Shoes, Socks and Ties:

All shoes must have a back or a strap with heels that are no more than two (2) inches when measured from the sole.  Shoes designed for laces must be laced and tied; Velcro fasteners must be fastened.  No Flip flops, open toe sandals or bedroom shoes/slippers are allowed.

Hats/Caps/Sweat bands/Do-Rags/Hair nets/Wraps

No hats, caps, sweat bands, do-rags, hair nets or hair wraps are allowed.  Hats or caps may be worn outside the building only on cold winter days.  Hat/caps may be worn on designated "special days" such as "hat day".  These designated "special days" will be determined at each individual school and must be approved by the building principal.

Non-permitted Items:

The following items are not permitted in school either for safety reasons or because they may disturb the learning environment:

• Sunglasses
• Jewelry that may be a danger to the wearer or others, such necklaces longer than 20 inches with heavy pendants
• Jackets, book bags or other items that display a message which directly or indirectly relates to goods or services which are prohibited by law to minors such as alcohol, tobacco and controlled substances
• Jackets, book bags or other items that display swastikas or gang-related symbols
• Studded leather or metal type collars
• Combs (including rat-tail combs), pics or hair rollers in hair
• Over-sized belt buckles

The above list is examples of items but it is not an all inclusive list.

Non-Compliance

Students will have ten (10) school days from the calendar day they initially register with a Meriwether County school to be in compliance with the dress code.  Upon registering, all parents will be given a copy of the dress code and a written list of stores where clothing that fits the dress code may be purchased. Parents having difficulty affording appropriate clothing will be given a list of resources where they can find discounted clothing and/or other assistance.

Students may be allowed to opt-out of the standardized dress code under the following conditions:

• When wearing a button, arm-band or other accoutrements to exercise the right to freedom of speech, unless the button, arm-band or other accoutrement is in violation of the prohibitions dealing with obscene, slanderous or vulgar speech
• When wearing the required attire violates a student's sincerely held religious beliefs
• When pregnant and wearing maternity attire, or
• When taking part in organized school activities, including special-dress days approved by the principal.

Compliance and Consequences:

A system of rewards that recognizes students, classes, grades or parents who show school pride and leadership by complying with the dress code in a consistent manner may occur at nine-week intervals and will fit in with the standard reward systems already in place at each school.

Teachers and principals will try to ascertain the reason for the non-compliance before consequences are enacted. 

Violation of dress code:  Students will be expected to wear clothing supplied by the school.  Alternatively, parents can bring clothes to school or take their children home.

They may also use other discipline methods that conform to the existing school policy.

At no time will corporal punishment be used to punish children who are not in compliance with the dress code.