Cowell Elementary School seeks to maintain an orderly environment for education. To accomplish this we have set a standard of student dress that we feel conducive to a proper educational climate.
Inappropriate dress or grooming, make-up or hair style/color that may do any of the following:
● create a disruptive or distracting environment within the school setting
● present a threat to health and safety
● offend generally accepted standards of decency
● present language or symbols determined to be obscene, to represent drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, or to display organizations that commonly promote unlawful behavior
● be related to gang activity
Examples of inappropriate groom and dress include, but are not limited to the following:
● hairstyles and colors (other than natural) that create problems of health, sanitation, vision obstruction or create a distraction to the learning environment
● tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, crop tops, low-cut necklines (revealing cleavage), half shirts, muscle shirts, fishnet shirts, spandex or tight fitting clothing (including jeans) No skin should show between pants and top.
● Items of clothing that depict violence, tobacco, alcohol or drugs - i.e. sagging pants, etc.
● dresses, skirts, shorts, or running shorts that are shorter than the fingertips when arms are extended down.
● tattoos (including temporary) or body piercing (except ears) or make-up
● dangerous jewelry or chains (including ear hoops larger than one inch)
Students are expected on a daily basis to run and play outside. Shoes should provide adequate protection by covering the foot. Socks are encouraged to keep feet clean and healthy. Inappropriate footwear includes, but is not limited to:
● flip-flops, thongs or other rubber soled shoes
● high heels or platform soles
● “heelies” and other shoes containing wheels
Students who come to school dressed inappropriately will be asked to change. Some clothing is supplied in the nurse’s office. If appropriate sizes are not available, the school may call home and ask for appropriate items to be brought to school. We feel that our dress code is flexible enough to allow students to be expressive in their clothing selection. The decision as to whether or not an item of clothing is appropriate will rest with the school. This dress code is aligned with Denver Public School Board Policy
Thank you for your continued care and attention to supporting our students.
Page 10 in the English & Spanish parent handbook.
