FILE:  GAMB

EMPLOYEE DRESS CODE

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board is committed to providing an excellent educational system that focuses on outstanding student achievement and preparation for lifetime success.  The School Board believes that its mission is enhanced by the professionalism of its employees.  The professional status of staff members is reinforced by appropriate dress and appearance.  Since students learn by example, it is important that employees serve as role models for students.  Moreover, the community’s attitude toward the school system and the education profession is related to the manner in which employees present themselves.

All employees shall exercise good judgment in their choice of appearance at work by dressing in a way that is appropriate to the situation and in a manner that will invoke a positive impression with students and the community.  Such professional dress should promote a working and learning environment that is conducive to high student and staff performance.  Inappropriate clothing, paraphernalia, grooming, jewelry, accessories, or body adornments that are in any way disruptive or potentially disruptive to the learning environment are prohibited.

The School Board shall not discriminate against an employee on the basis of a natural, protective or cultural hairstyle.  Natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle shall include, but is not limited to, afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids, cornrow braids, Bantu knots, curls, and hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance.

Principals and other administrative supervisors are delegated the authority and bear the responsibility for ensuring compliance with this mandatory policy and are expected to counsel and/or discipline employees whom they supervise on professional appearance in conformance with this mandatory policy.

DRESS CODE GUIDELINES

• Personal hygiene and cleanliness of dress are expected of all staff.
  
  

• Shirt length must be long enough so that when arms are raised, skin is not exposed.
  
  

• Low-cut blouses shall not be worn (cleavage shall not be visible).
  
  

• Halter tops, tank tops, or spaghetti strap tops (sundresses) shall not be worn.
  
  

• Skirts and dresses shall be of a reasonable length.  (All dresses and skirts should be no more than 2 inches above the knee with or without leggings.)
  
  

• Clothes shall be loose-fitting; leotard-type pants or biker pants shall not be worn.  This shall include leggings, jeggings, and tights, except when worn under articles of clothing which cover the leggings and fall at least two (2) inches above the knee.
  
  

• Proper undergarments should be worn at all times but shall not be directly visible or seen through clothing.
  
  

• All clothing shall be free of alcohol, tobacco advertisements, and drug references. In addition, all clothing shall be free of any wording or graphics that are suggestive or offensive in nature or content.
  
  

• Shorts shall not be worn.  Exception:  Coaches, physical education personnel, and bus operators/monitors may wear loose fitting shorts of the appropriate length no more than two (2) inches above the knee.
  
  

• Capri pants may be worn.
  
  

• Denim jeans shall not be worn (unless specified by site administrator.)
  
  

• Jogging suits or sweat suits shall not be worn.  Exception:  Coaches, physical education personnel, and bus drivers/monitors may wear jogging suits or sweat suits.
  
  

• Tennis shoes and sandals may be worn.  All footwear is required to have a back, and at a minimum, a restraining strap.  No flip flops (beach footwear) shall be worn. Exception:  Food service workers, maintenance workers, custodians, school bus operators/monitors must wear footwear that fully encloses the foot from heel to toe (the footwear must cover and protect the top, bottom, back and sides of the foot).
  
  

• No visible body piercings with the exception of earrings.

New policy:  October 17, 2019

Revised:  November 10, 2022

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 23:332

Board minutes, 10-17-19, 11-10-22

St. John the Baptist Parish School Board