Dress Code
(1) Rationale:
In order to provide a safe and secure school, strengthen the educational focus, and establish an orderly learning environment while preparing students for success in the professional work place, students, parents and faculty at Cleveland Middle and Cleveland High Schools have established the following standards for student dress and appearance.
(2) General Information:
Students are expected to adhere to dress code at all times while on campus during regular school hours. The school staff will correct any fixable violations, with repeated violations possibly carrying disciplinary consequences. If a student arrives at school and cannot comply with the dress code, he/she will not be allowed to attend classes. The student will be isolated and a parent called to bring appropriate clothing. If there is a question regarding a questionable item, please obtain clarification from the school administration before wearing the item.
(3) All Apparel:
Solid colored, Size appropriate, and free from holes, rips, tears, cuts, or frayed hems.
No logos larger than a 2” square. Exempt from the 2” square requirement are approved Cleveland Middle and/or Cleveland High School generic, Cleveland Middle and/or Cleveland High School issued academic or athletic teams, or approved Cleveland Middle and/or Cleveland High School clubs.
Logos must not be of an inappropriate nature including racially/religiously inflammatory language or pictures, confederate images, gang affiliation, profanity, etc.
Alternate color striping or accents are not allowed. (i.e. collars, sleeves, plackets, panels, etc.)
Extraneous zippers, metal studs, or dangling cloth strips are forbidden.
No denim (jean material of any color) is allowed.
Any military clothing, medals or insignias (current or historical) or any style or combination of clothing that could be construed s having a military connotation is strictly prohibited even on special (i.e. Homecoming) or altered dress days.
(4) Bottom Wear:
Fabricated of cotton or cotton/polyester twill in a Dress or Business Casual style.
Jeans and other non-denim pants styled as jeans are not acceptable. Jean styles in Khaki materials are not permitted.
Long enough to reach the knee.
For female students, any slits in skirts or dresses must not extend more than three inches from the hem.
Slacks, shorts or skirts will be worn at or above the hip point and be able to stay up without a belt; NO undergarments are to be visible at any time.
Belts, when worn, must be leather or fabric and must have a plain buckle.
Unacceptable items include (but are not limited to): blue jeans, sweat pants, velour pants, overalls, oversize bell- bottoms, jogging pants, polyester, nylon, parachute cloth, spandex, leather, suede, and tight stretch pants.
(5) Dresses and Skirts:
For female students, dresses or skirts are acceptable if they meet the guidelines for bottom wear.
Knit Polo style dresses are not acceptable.
(6) Shirts:
All shirts must be solid color, golf/Polo type or button-up and have sleeves, buttons and a standard collar.
Shirts are to be buttoned to the base of the neck (or top of collarbone).
Shirts must be tucked in, remain tucked in at all times, and extend below the top edge of bottom wear so that the bottom wear will overlap the shirt when the student is seated and the shirt is tucked in.
Unacceptable items include, but are not limited to: items that will not stay tucked in or expose the waist; items with a low neckline (such as V-neck and scoop neck); unbuttoned or partially buttoned shirts over a tank top or T-shirt; see-through type materials; T-shirts.
(7) Sweaters, Vests, Anoraks, and Pullovers
A sweater alone is not considered proper apparel. A crew or v-neck sweater may be worn over a dress code shirt, or a turtleneck or mock turtleneck may be worn under a proper dress code shirt.
Even if a sweater or other top is worn over a dress code shirt, the shirt must still be tucked in.
Any item worn over dress code top wear must allow the collar of the core shirt to show.
Only solid colors are allowed. Alternate color striping or accents are not allowed.
No logos larger than 2” other than Cleveland Middle and/or Cleveland High School. Hoods may not be worn over the head. Hoods and other coverings create a safety issue, in respect to a possible intruder in the building and identity of our students.
Any item bearing the logo of any school other than Cleveland Middle and/or Cleveland High School(s) is strictly forbidden.
(8) Shoes
Shoes must be leather, suede, or athletic and must have a closed toe. Open mesh weave covering the toes does not constitute a closed toe.
(9) Coats and Jackets
No long or trench coats are allowed at all.
Coats and jackets are not permitted to be worn in the school building (exception: when entering or leaving the building or when there is a defect in the heating system)
Coats and Jackets are defined as items that are normally associated with outdoor wear and/or worn over indoor clothing for protection from outside elements. Blazers and Sport coats are designed to be worn both indoors and outdoors.
(10) Headwear
Headwear is not to be worn or carried in view by any student while in the school building.
This includes hats, ball caps, wool hats, bandanas, do-rags and skull caps.
(11) Cleveland Middle or Cleveland High School Apparel
Top wear that is issued to or bought for students who participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics, band, choir, dance, cheerleading and vocational can be worn at any time. This apparel must be golf or Polo type, Raider blue and white in color and must be clearly visible as Cleveland Blue Raider apparel. Any item that is sleeveless must have a shirt with sleeves worn underneath it.
Clothing brought or issued for PE classes (Wellness, Weight Lifting or Sports) will not be worn at any time or place other than the class for which it was brought or issued.
(12) Piercing
Visible body piercing will only be allowed in the ear.
Body piercing that is visible to teachers, administrators, and students is strictly prohibited.
This includes tongue, nose, navel, eyebrows, lips, etc. Piercing retainers are not allowed.
(13) Accessories
Large, long and/or heavy chains, studded or chained accessories are prohibited including wallet or belt chains.
Sunglasses indoors are prohibited
(14) Special Situations
If a student cannot comply with the standardized dress code based on religious belief, vertical disability or by the request of a doctor, a parent or guardian may write a letter explaining the situation to the principal with a copy to the Secondary Supervisor at the Administrative Offices Building. Each case will be evaluated on an individual basis and if the parents and student are not satisfied an appeal may be sent to the Director of Schools.
(15) Additional information
The principals, designated by the Board of Education as the educational leaders of Cleveland Middle School and Cleveland High School are generally responsible for the attitude, manners, and conduct of the students and staff. Therefore, the principal, subject to confirmation by the Director of Schools and the Board of Education, has specific authority to determine a standard of dress and good grooming that will be compatible with a wholesome school situation. All students are expected to adhere to common practices of modesty, cleanliness and neatness; to dress in conformity with the accepted standards of the community; and to contribute in such manner to the academic atmosphere and not detract from it. No attempt will be made to dictate fashion styles as long as they are in keeping with Cleveland City Schools’ policies. It should be noted, however, that it is the responsibility of the student and parent to adhere to the Dress Code. The Administrators of Cleveland Middle and Cleveland High School shall have the right to appraise any current fashion or fad and determine whether or not it is appropriate for school. Fashions that the principal deems a distraction to the educational process will not be allowed. In manners of opinion, the judgment of administrators will stand.