Dress Code

Waukegan Public Schools have changed their dress code as of June 2020. Please read the full policy HERE



The primary responsibility for a student's attire resides with the student and the student’s parent(s).

The District is responsible for seeing that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student, and that dress code implementation does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, or body type/size.

Any restrictions to the way a student dresses must be necessary to support the overall educational goals of the school and must be consistent with this policy on student appearance.

RULES AND REGULATIONS
Conduct Expectations
1. All students should be able to dress comfortably for school and engage in the educational environment without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming.
2. All students should be able to wear hairstyles to their liking, provided that faces remain visible.
3. All students and staff should understand that they are responsible for managing their own personal "distractions" without regulating individual students' clothing/self-expression.
4. Student dress code implementation should not result in unnecessary barriers to school attendance.
5. School staff should be trained annually and able to use body-positive language to explain the dress expectations and to address violations.
6. Teachers should focus on teaching without the burden of dress code implementation.

Clothing Expectations

1. Basic Principle. Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times. Clothes must be worn in a way such that genitals, buttocks, and breasts, are fully covered with opaque fabric. Cleavage should not have coverage requirements. All items listed in the "must wear" and "may wear" categories below must meet this basic principle.

2. Must Wear: Students must wear, while following the basic principle of paragraph 1 above:
A. A shirt (with fabric in the front, back, and on the sides under the arms), and
B. Pants/jeans or the equivalent (for example, a skirt, sweatpants, leggings, a dress or shorts), and
C. Shoes.

3. May Wear: Students may wear, as long as these items do not violate paragraph 1 above:
A. Religious headwear.
B. Fitted pants, including opaque leggings, yoga pants, and "skinny jeans."
C. Ripped jeans, as long as underwear and buttocks are not exposed.
D. Tank tops, including spaghetti straps; halter tops.
E. Athletic attire, including athleisure wear.
F. Visible waistbands on undergarments or visible straps on undergarments worn under other clothing (as long as this is done in a way that does not violate paragraph 1 above).

4. Cannot Wear: Students cannot wear:
A. Clothing that depicts: 1) Violent language or images, 2) Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity), or 3) Hate speech, profanity, or pornography.
B. Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups.
C. Any clothing that reveals visible undergarments (visible waistbands and visible straps are allowed).
D. Swimsuits (except as required in class or athletic practice).
E. Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon.
F. Any item that obscures the face or ears (except as a bona fide religious observance or for a verified health reason). 

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