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; and 2) to avoid any unacceptable disruptions to the learning environment. A secondary, and not altogether unimportant, reason for a dress code is to encourage students in appropriate dress habits (for that world of work “out there”). 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 Lamar’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 cit some examples, cannot be permitted.

Also, Lamar 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.

The Lamar faculty and administration will enforce the Lamar dress code in a uniform manner. They also will determine the appropriateness of attire for school occasions and activities. 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 Lamar dress code will result in disciplinary action. Depending on the number of dress code offenses and the gravity of the offense, discipline can range from detention to suspension.

Students who disagree with particular requirements of the Lamar dress code are encouraged to work within the system to request changes. Use your representatives on the Senate and on 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 Lamar 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 Rules

Head

• 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. These items will be confiscated permanently. Any exceptions to this policy due to religious or medical requirements must be approved by the Lamar 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 and artificial coloring should not detract from the educational process and are subject to disciplinary action (No spiked hair or unnatural hair colors.)

Clothing

• Uniform Tops/Polo Shirts: students must wear uniform white or navy blue polo shirts with Lamar embroidery. These items may be purchased in the school store.
• Students with tattoos and hennas must ensure that the tattoos are covered and not visible.
• Trench coats and 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.

T-shirts worn under shirts may only be white. T-shirts are not required.

• Athletic and Physical Education--Practice uniforms are required and consist of a white Lamar t-shirt and blue Lamar shorts. These must be purchased through the school. No personal clothing for these activities is acceptable. These items are required materials for Athletic and P.E. classes.

Policy on Uniform Shorts

• Students are required to wear Khaki uniform slacks, khaki uniform knee length shorts, khaki uniform skirts (no more than 2 inches above the knee). A plaid option will be available for purchase. Note: these items may be purchased at any nearby uniform store or department store that sells stand school uniforms. The items must be uniform. No jeans or other types of these items are acceptable. All slacks, shorts, and skirts must be worn at the natural waist height and be of proper length. All must fit properly and may not be excessively loose or baggy.

Violators will be subject to normal school discipline. Shorts specifications:

UNIFORM shorts—Khaki Color only

Pleated or flat front

17” WALKING short—appropriate length

NO DENIM/JEAN SHORTS

NO SWEAT SHORTS

Only the following brands and styles are approved. No other type or brand will meet code specifications.

• Target Stores—Official School Wear brand by French Toast.
• J.C. Penny—Original Arizona Jean Company Khaki’s and/or St. John’s Bay cotton chino khaki shorts.
• Dockers grand (men only) 17” khaki front pleat. Polo Sport brand (women only) 17” khaki pleated.
• Polo Sport brand (women only) 17" khaki pleated.

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.
• Pierced jewelry may be worn in the ear only. (Nose rings, eye rings, tongue rings, navel rings, and other forms of body piercing are not allowed).
• Jewelry depicting or making reference to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vulgar or obscene language, sexual promiscuity, the occult, death, violence or gang-related activities must not be worn.
• Jewelry items such as spiked dog collar, spiked bracelets, linked chains (for wallets or necklaces) are prohibited.

Shoes

• Students must wear shoes at all times.
• Due to safety considerations, teachers may require non-skid, closed shoes in some labs during experiments or project work.

Personal Items

• Backpacks are prohibited on campus during class time (from 8:30 a.m. to

3:50 p.m. Students may use backpacks to transport their materials to and

from school, but they must store the backpacks in their lockers during the

school day.

• Skateboards, skates, and roller blades are prohibited.
• According to state law and/or HISD board policy, audio and electronic

equipment such as lasers, radios, tape or CD players,, TVs, games, MP3

players, I-PODS, and similar electronic devices are prohibited on campus

during school hours. Cell phones and pagers are allowed on campus but

may not be turned on during the school’s instructional hours (8:30 a.m.—

3:42 p.m.). Such items, if found in a student’s possession, will be

confiscated and turned into the Business Office, N211. Some items may not

necessarily be returned to students. HISD policy

requires a fee for the return of cell phones. Texas Education Code 37.082

requires a $15.00 retrieval fee for these items. Each infraction of a Level

Offense in the HISD Code of Conduct will result in the appropriate discipline

being assigned.

*Taken from Student Handbook for Lamar High School, rev. August 07