It is evident that there is a close relationship between student dress and behavior. The school climate at Kankakee Valley High School (KVHS) encourages individual creativity and student empowerment. KVHS recognizes the need to guide students toward appropriate attire for different settings, i.e. school, work, etc. Proper dress is important in setting the pattern for school and social conduct. The dress code does not infringe on students’ rights of freedom of expression, but rather encourages students to “dress for success” and come to school properly prepared to participate in the educational process. Parents and students are asked to cooperate with the following dress code. All clothing must be appropriate for school.
Students shall be well-groomed; hairstyles should not be distracting in nature.
Any type of clothing that causes, or is likely to cause, a disruption to the school’s instructional program is prohibited.
No identifiable gang/crew/cult clothing, jewelry, head coverings or paraphernalia is permitted.
No clothing or jewelry with vulgar language, obscene pictures/sexual innuendoes, weapons, drugs/alcohol/drug paraphernalia/tobacco or discriminatory statements are permitted.
Clothing should be in good taste and appropriate for the learning environment. Clothing must cover undergarments at all times.
Student dress for informal dances, sporting events or any other school sponsored activity, must be in compliance with the school dress code policy.
General Guidelines
All clothing must be of appropriate size and fit properly.
Sleep/loungewear is not permitted. (slippers, pajama pants, blankets, pillows, etc.)
No hats, caps, bandanas, gloves, sweatbands, or sunglasses.
No chains (non-jewelry) or chain wallets or belts, studded bracelets, collars or belts.
Clothing that has holes, rips or tears are not acceptable, this includes “distressed”/”destroyed” jeans.
Articles of apparel, clothing or accessories that present a hazard to the individual, other people or property will not be permitted (examples: pants that are too long, shoe heels that are too tall)
Shirts and Tops
Shirts must have sleeves (at least 2 inches past the shoulder with no straps showing), no holes, rips, or tears.
All tops should be of an appropriate size and fit, no excessively tight shirts.
Tops that show any cleavage or excessive chest area will not be permitted.
No bare abdomen, shoulders, or backs can show. Beginning Fall 2017, this will include shirts with cut out shoulders.
Shirts must be long enough to easily tuck into the pants, shorts, etc.
Pants/Slacks/Shorts/Skorts/Capris
No sagging pants are permitted. Pants are to be worn above the hip bones. Pajama pants are not appropriate attire.
Garments should not be excessively tight fitting.
Shorts, skirts, skorts, etc., must be no shorter than 3” above the knee, regardless of item (tights, leggings, etc.) worn under the garment.
All dresses/skirts/jumpers must also meet the requirements listed above.
Shoes
Appropriate footwear, designed to be worn outside the home, must be worn.
Heel height must be safe for crowded busy hallways and stairwells.
Purses
Purses are not to be carried during the school day. All purses are to be kept in the student’s locker.
Coats/Backpacks/Gym Bags
Coats are not be worn or carried during normal school hours except with administrative approval.
Backpacks/Gym Bags are to be placed in student lockers and not utilized during the school day, except with administrative approval.
Administrators and/or staff reserve the right to determine the appropriateness of any form of attire, including jeans.
Failure to follow dress code will result in disciplinary action. Students will be required to change clothes or serve a day of in-school suspension. If a student chooses to go home and change or wait for appropriate clothes to be brought to him/her, time spent out of class will be considered as an unexcused absence from the classes missed. If a student has nothing to change into or refuses to change, the student will serve the remainder of the day as an in-school suspension day.