It has long been the philosophy of the Mesquite Independent School District that the public school system is responsible for the total development of each child enrolled within its schools.

This total development includes the training of students in social and moral standards, ethical conduct, good manners, and good grooming as well as the teaching of academic subjects.

With this philosophy in mind, the Board of Trustees has approved the following dress code.

The courts have reaffirmed and upheld a school board’s authority to regulate dress and grooming within the schools that the board serves.

The dress code has been adopted on the premise that students who dress and groom themselves neatly, and in an acceptable and appropriate manner, are more likely to become constructive members of the society in which we live. This dress code is established to teach hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards and develop an awareness that there are distinct occasions appropriate for formal and informal attire.

These guides apply to all students enrolled in Mesquite schools at the elementary level. Sponsors of extra/co-curricular activities may, at their discretion, establish grooming guides for students involved in such activities that are more stringent. Decisions regarding dress and grooming are campus decisions, and the decision of the principal is considered final.

Elementary Guidelines

1. Clothing containing offensive slogans, symbols and other suggestive or controversial designs is not allowed.
   
2. Startling, unusual or immodest attire of any sort shall not be permitted. Fads in hairstyles, clothing or anything designed to attract attention to the individual or to disrupt the orderly conduct of the classroom or campus are not permitted.
   
3. Hair is to be clean and well-groomed. Unusual coloring or excessive hairstyles that may include “tails,” “designs,” “puffs,” etc. are prohibited.
4. No designs are allowed in eyebrows.
   
5. Clothing and other articles that are considered “gang-related” are not allowed.
   
6. Extremely baggy clothing will not be allowed. Pants, shorts, etc. are not to be worn below the waistline and should be appropriately sized.
   
7. Shorts may be worn but must reach at least fingertip length.
   
8. Tongue rings and visible body piercings, other than earrings on girls, are not allowed.
   
9. Spacers in place of pierced earrings are not allowed.
   
10. No gauges may be worn in pierced ears.
    
11. Inappropriate tattoos and body art are not allowed.
    
12. Tight-fitting shorts or “short shorts” will not be allowed.
    
13. Cutoffs, boxer shorts, pajama bottoms, bike shorts, short leggings as outer garments, etc. will not be allowed.
    
14. Hats, scarves, bandanas, hair coverings, sweatbands, or hooded shirts are not to be worn by students except under circumstances designated by the principal.*
    
15. Torn, ripped, or cut clothing will not be allowed.
    
16. Grills or temporary decorations on teeth are not to be worn.
    
17. Elementary students may wear shirts with hoods as long as hoods are not worn inside the classroom.
18. Students are not allowed to wear shoes with wheels in school.

Boys: Additional Guidelines

1. Shirts are to have sleeves.*
   
2. Appropriate shoes are to be worn.
   
3. Hair is to be out of the eyes, not extend below the bottom of the earlobes and cut so that it does not extend over the collar (dress shirt).
   
4. Mustaches, beards and other facial hair are prohibited.
   
5. Earrings are prohibited.

Girls: Additional Guidelines

1. Apparel that is too tight or too short to prevent modesty will not be allowed.
   
2. Low-cut apparel is not allowed.
   
3. Girls are to wear sufficient undergarments.
   
4. Appropriate shoes are to be worn.
   
5. The following are unacceptable: clothing designed with shoulder straps less than three inches wide, bare midriffs, halters or bare backs.
6. Excessive makeup is not allowed.

* Elementary boys in grades K-3 may wear sleeveless shirts.