Students    
Administrative Regulation No.  5132 
Regulation Reviewed: Nov. 7, 2024

DRESS AND GROOMING

In cooperation with teachers, students, and parents/guardians, the principal or designee may establish school rules governing student dress and grooming which are consistent with law, Board policy, and administrative regulations. These school dress codes shall be regularly reviewed.

MVWSD’s dress code values students and family choice in what a student wears to school. We prioritize comfort, individual expression, and respect for cultural and personal styles, while maintaining a safe and focused learning environment. We appreciate when parents and guardians support students in selecting attire that is appropriate for a school setting.

School-directed changes to a student's attire should be the least restrictive and disruptive to the student’s school day. Administration and enforcement of the dress code shall be gender neutral and consistent. 

This policy applies to all individual schools. Schools may not enact more restrictive or less restrictive dress codes. 

Allowable Dress
Students must wear opaque clothing that covers private parts, including both a shirt with pants/shorts/skirt (or equivalent) and shoes.
Clothing must be suitable for classroom activities including physical education, and safety requirements of science, culinary and engineering labs.
Specialized programs or extracurricular activities may require specific attire, such as performing arts or athletics uniforms or safety gear.

Non-Allowable Dress
Clothing or accessories that depicts nudity or sexual acts.
Clothing or accessories that promote hate, including symbols of hate, target groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected groups, are strictly prohibited.
Clothing or accessories that depict violence or are meant to intimidate others.
Clothing that depicts or advocates the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances. Logos may or may not meet this criteria.

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 cocurricular activities.

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)

Students shall be allowed to wear sun-protective clothing, including but not limited to hats, for outdoor use during the school day. (Education Code 35183.5)

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.

Uniforms

In schools that require a schoolwide uniform, the principal, staff, and parents/guardians of the school shall jointly select the specific uniform to be worn. (Education Code 35183)

At least six months before a school uniform policy is implemented, the principal or designee shall notify parents/guardians of this policy. (Education Code 35183)

Parents/guardians shall also be informed of their right to have their child exempted.