Dress Code

Washington State Law (RCW 28A.320.140) allows schools to establish dress codes. Finley School Board Policy also states that student dress can be regulated. The school administration has the authority to make changes at any time to the dress code based on either safety or health reasons. The student and parent may determine the student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that the student’s dress and grooming shall not:

  1. Lead school officials to reasonably believe that such dress or grooming shall disrupt, interfere with, disturb, or distract from the school environment or activity and/or educational objectives;
  2. Create a health or other hazard to the student’s safety or to the safety of others;
  3. Create an atmosphere in which a student, staff, or other person’s well-being is hindered by undue pressure, behavior, intimidation, overt gesture or threat of violence; or
  4. Imply gang membership or affiliation by written communication, marks, drawing, painting, design or emblem upon any school or personal property on one’s person. Additional restrictions may be added on occasion after consultation with local law enforcement agencies.

At extracurricular activities, the Principal, in connection with the sponsor, coach, or other person in charge of an extracurricular activity, may regulate the dress and grooming of students who participate in the activity if the Principal reasonably believes that the student’s dress or grooming:

  1. Creates a hazard to the student’s safety or to the safety of others.
  2. Shall prevent, interfere with or adversely affect the purpose, direction, or effort required for the activity to achieve its goals.

The principal has the authority to determine if clothing is disruptive to learning or impacts student safety. If the student’s dress or grooming is objectionable under these provisions, the Principal shall request the student to make appropriate corrections. If the student refuses, the Principal shall notify the parent and request that person to make the necessary correction. If both the student and parent refuse, the Principal shall take appropriate corrective action. Students who violate provisions of the dress code relating to extracurricular activities may be removed or excluded from the extracurricular activity for such period as the Principal may determine. All students shall be accorded due process safeguards before any corrective action may be taken.

Students identified as being gang involved, influenced or affiliated shall be provided assistance and/or programs which discourage gang involvement or affiliation, enhance self-esteem, encourage interest and membership in authorized school organizations.

Clothing is considered a disruption to the educational process if it reveals cleavage or the back; reveals midriff (including clothing that reveals midriff only when arms are raised); is see-through so that skin and/or undergarment is visible; has overly large openings at the neck or arms. Dress will include, but not be limited to, the following examples of appropriate and inappropriate dress:

  • SUNGLASSES: Sunglasses must not be worn when indoors.
  • BANDANA’S: Bandana’s must not be worn or visible at school or any extra-curricular events.
  • PANTS: Pants must be worn at the waistline. Chain belts, hanging belts or chains attached to clothing may not be worn.
    • Pants with tears in them must meet the MID-THIGH expectation. Tears above MID-THIGH must be covered and cannot be see-through.
  • SHORTS: Shorts with a length of MID-THIGH are appropriate. We measure MID-THIGH asking a student to put their hands to their sides and the shorts must be at or below the finger tips. No boxers are allowed.
    • All shorts and pants must fit the individual - sagging or extremely oversized shorts or pants are not to be worn.
  • SHIRTS: Half shirts, tube tops, and swimming suit tops should not be worn. All tops should cover the waistline completely, even when bending and reaching; no bare midriffs or backs. This applies to boys as well as girls where applicable, i.e., no half shirts, etc. Boys must wear shirts at all times. Sleeveless shirts must have armholes that are fairly snug and not so large as to extend to mid torso.
  • SKIRTS: Skirts must be no shorter than MID-THIGH.
  • SHOES: Washington State Law REQUIRES that shoes of some sort be worn at all times. House slippers are not to be worn.

PROHIBITED CLOTHING INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: any which displays obscene or sexual messages, messages advocating alcohol or drug use, gang related apparel, or slippers. Clothing should fit the individual; sagging pants or extremely oversized clothing is not to be worn.

Shop teachers do have the right to require students in their classes to wear protective clothing for their own safety. If attire is found to be indecent or over-exposing, the student will be asked to change his/her clothing immediately. If sent home, the student will be required to make up the school time missed.

Spirit Dress up days may occur upon the approval by the ASB council. Dress code will need to be followed unless otherwise stated by the ASB council and building principal.