(Excerpt from Administrative Regulation 5132)

The Lemoore Union Elementary School District requires that:

Students attending school must be clean. All clothing must fit, shall be neat, clean, and acceptable in repair and appearance and shall be worn within the bounds of decency and good taste as appropriate for school. . Appropriate undergarments that provide proper coverage shall be worn. Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times.  Each administrator reserves the right to determine and enforce appropriate dress at school and at school sponsored events. School officials may prohibit any apparel, accessory, hairstyle or cosmetic, even if not specifically mentioned below, that 1) creates a safety concern; 2) draws undue attention to the wearer; 3) detracts from the learning process; 4) causes disturbances among other students; 5) is considered gang related.

1.  Shorts/Skirts/Pants:  Oversized, baggy or saggy clothing is prohibited.  Bottoms with bibs are not permitted for students in grades 4 through 8.  Shorts are to be hemmed and not form fitting.  The length of shorts and skirts shall be no higher than mid-thigh.  Skirts or shorts shorter than mid-thigh are prohibited. Leggings will be allowed if over garment is no shorter that mid-thigh.  Pants cannot exceed 4 inches when measured at the kneecap of the straightened leg.  Pants and shorts must fit and be worn at the natural waist. The bottom of the pant leg may not be frayed or drag on the ground. Pants must be hemmed and not stapled, pinned, or taped.  Clothing must be free of any rips, tears, or holes four (4) or more inches above the knee, and worn as traditionally intended. Any holes located four (4) or more inches above the knee must be concealed. Sleepwear, including flannel pajama-type pants are not acceptable.

2.  Shirts:  All blouses and shirts must be clean and neat.  See-through or fishnet fabrics, halter tops, off-the-shoulder or low-cut tops, bare midriffs are prohibited. Appropriate undergarments that provide proper cover shall be worn. Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times.  All blouses and shirts, must be properly buttoned. "Henley" style shirts are not permitted. Oversized shirts that present a safety concern are not acceptable.

3.  Jewelry/Personal Items:  Piercings may only be worn in the ears.  Personal items, clothing, jewelry, backpacks, binders, gym bags, water bottles, etc., shall be free of writing, pictures or any other insignia which are crude, vulgar, profane or sexually suggestive, which bear drug, alcohol or tobacco company advertising, promotions and likenesses, which display weapons of any kind, which promote violence, which display gang symbols, or which advocate racial, ethnic or religious prejudice.  Clothing or other items that materially interfere with schoolwork, create disorder or disrupt the educational process are not allowed.   Also prohibited are jewelry items that may potentially cause injury, sunglasses (exceptions include medical reasons), and other decorations, ornaments and accessories not appropriate for elementary or middle school.

4.  Clothing/Apparel/Personal Appearance:  Any clothing or apparel that a student or group of students wear to identify themselves for the purpose of harassing, threatening, or intimidating others will not be allowed and shall be free of writing, pictures or any other insignia which are crude, vulgar, profane or sexually suggestive, which bear drug, alcohol or tobacco company advertising, promotions and likenesses, which display weapons of any kind, which promote violence, which display gang symbols, or which advocate racial, ethnic or religious prejudice. Clothing or other items that materially interfere with school work, create disorder or disrupt the educational process are not allowed. Military, paramilitary, or camouflage attire will not be permitted. No tattoos may be showing at any time.

5.  Hats:  Hats, caps, and other head coverings shall not be worn in class.   Students may wear sun-protecting clothing, including hats that must have a 360° sun-protecting brim of no more than 2 inches.  However, knit caps may be worn outside of school buildings during cold or inclement weather.

6.  Shoes:  Shoes must be worn at all times.  Sandals must have heel straps.  Backless shoes, open sandals, high-heeled shoes, slipper-type shoes and thongs are hazardous on the school playground and are not appropriate for school.  No hard-toed or steel-toed shoes/boots will be allowed. No high top, laced up, combat, or military style boots will be allowed.

7.  Hair:  Hair must be clean and show evidence of having been neatly groomed for school.  No designs shaved (ex. lines, numbers, shapes, etc.) or colored into the head are allowed. Hair may not be sprayed by any coloring that would drip when wet.  Hair that causes undue attention is not acceptable. Beards are not allowed.

8.  Athletic Wear:  Gym shorts, "sweat pants", and "athletic style" pants may not be worn in classes other than physical education. "Sweat pants" can be worn by students in grades Kindergarten through 3.

The principal at each school shall ensure that authorized school spirit shirts are viewpoint neutral and content neutral.

The dress code shall be modified as appropriate to accommodate a student's religious or cultural observance, health condition, or other circumstance deemed necessary by the principal or designee. In addition, the principal or designee may impose dress requirements to accommodate the needs of special school activities, physical education classes, athletic activities, and other extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
Bona fide religious or philosophical objections, or medical reasons, when verified, may be grounds for an exemption to a specific portion of the Dress and Grooming Policy. A written request for an exemption from enforcement of a specified portion of Dress Code Policy must be submitted to the school principal.
Please Note:  The State of California has determined that "A pupil who goes to school without proper attention having been given to personal cleanliness or neatness of dress, may be sent home to be properly prepared for school, or shall be required to prepare himself/herself for the classroom before entering." (California Administrative Code, Title V, Section 302) 1994.
No grade of a student participating in a physical education class shall be adversely affected if the student does not wear standardized physical education apparel because of circumstances beyond the student's control.  (Education Code 49066)

Gang-Related Apparel
At individual schools that have a dress code prohibiting gang-related apparel at school or school activities, the principal, staff, and parents/guardians participating in the development of the school safety plan shall define "gang-related apparel" and shall limit this definition to apparel that reasonably could be determined to threaten the health and safety of the school environment if it were worn or displayed on a school campus.  (Education Code 32282)
Because gang-related symbols are constantly changing, definitions of gang-related apparel shall be reviewed at least once each semester and updated whenever related information is received. As necessary, the school shall collaborate with law enforcement agencies to update definitions of gang-related apparel.