Dacula Middle School acknowledges that good grooming and personal attire positively affect student achievement and conduct. Dacula Middle’s dress code is designed to reduce the likelihood of distraction or disruption and to maintain an academic focus in the classroom and on campus. Students will be expected to observe modes of dress, styles of hair and personal grooming that support the “First Comes Learning” atmosphere at Dacula Middle School.

If in the judgment of an administrator or a member of the staff, a student is dressed inappropriately, the parent will be called to bring the student appropriate clothing. A record of dress code violations will be kept and consequences assigned for repeat violations of the DMS Dress Code.

1.Shirts/Blouses/Tops/T-shirts – Blouses/shirts should be constructed so the tops of the shoulders are covered (no halter tops, spaghetti straps, tank tops, tube tops, or bare shoulder tops of any type will be allowed). Blouses/shirts that expose any portion of the waist, hips, or midriff are not allowed. All shirts or blouses should either be collared or have a non-revealing (no cleavage) neckline.

Other blouses/shirts that are not appropriate for school include, but are not limited to, low-cut, see through, backless, or tube tops. No holes in pants above the top of the knee. Boys are not to wear sleeveless shirts. Shirts may not be longer than 12 inches above the knee, approximately to the first knuckle of the thumb. If shirts are beyond this length, students will have to tuck the shirt in their pants, shorts, or skirts.

2. Clothing shall fit appropriately. Pants and shorts must be worn fitted at the waist at all times and are not to be so large that the crotch sags revealing underwear or drags on the ground/floor. Belts should be worn with all pants with belt loops. Athletic spandex/stretch pants of any length are not permitted by themselves.

3. Headgear- Headgear is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to caps, hats, hoods, doo-rags, bandanas, wave caps, sweatbands, headbands, sunglasses, or any other head covering. No combs, rakes, curlers or picks can be worn in the hair.

4. No student clothing shall display words or symbols that advocate or depict violence, drugs, alcohol, sex, racial slurs, demonic pictures or writing, illegal gang affiliation or other illegal activity expressed or implied. Clothing with student writing on it should not be worn.

5. Shorts, skirts, and dresses should reach below the fingertips when arms are placed to the side of the body with relaxed fingertips. (regardless of items worn under the shorts, skirts, and dresses)

6. Shoes- Health regulations and safety factors require that shoes be worn at all times at school (bedroom shoes, flip-flops, beachwear, heelies or athletic sandals are not permitted.)

7. No pajamas or sleepwear of any kind are allowed to be worn at school.

8. Hair shall be clean and neatly groomed. Any form of hairstyle or makeup (including glitter) which is considered contrary to good hygiene or which is distracting or disruptive to the educational process will not be permitted. As styles change, so may restrictions.

9. Heavy winter coats are not to be worn during the day. Those are to be left in homeroom. No heavy winter coats are to be worn after Spring Break.

10. Students may not wear trench coats or other long coats that resemble the style of a trench coat to school.

11. Jewelry or accessories that may be used as weapons are not allowed to be worn at school. This includes, but is not limited to, wallet chains, mouth grills, jewelry such as spiked rings, spiked bracelets, two or three finger rings that are joined and bulky chains worn around the neck or waist. Sharp objects that could pose a danger, such as spikes or safety pins, are not allowed on clothing or book bags.

12. The following clothing or symbols have been identified by the Gwinnett County Police Gang Taskforce as being commonly identified with gangs. Administrators will consider overall indicators to assess the appropriateness of the student’s attire. We are looking for patterns of behavior and dress and not necessarily individual indicators.

Wearing the following could result in a dress code violation:
a. Gang related attire includes but is not limited to the following: long bulky chains and necklaces, large oversized pendants, gang-styled belt buckles, bandanas, altering clothing from its original form to change the names and/or intended marking on the clothing, sweatbands and/or headbands, and draping articles of clothing, towels, or other objects out of pants pockets or over the shoulder or neck area, extra-long belts with excess hanging loosely, and suspender(s) worn off the shoulder.
b. Wearing clothes in an asymmetrical pattern such as rolling up one pant leg, wearing a dominant color every day of the week, jerseys (other than community recreation league jerseys) with the numbers 8, 13, 14, or 88 (or any other numbers that have been deemed as gang related by the Gang Taskforce).
Any article of clothing, including footwear, perceived to be a threat or safety hazard to the student or the school community, will not be allowed.

Dress Code Consequences

1st Offense
Teacher completes violation form and sends student to the grade level office. Parent is called by grade level clerk to bring an appropriate change of clothing.
Student is assigned to ISS until parent arrives.

2nd Offense
Teacher completes violation form and sends student to the grade level office. Parent is called by grade level clerk to bring an appropriate change of clothing. Student is assigned to ISS until parent arrives.
Administrative detention is assigned by grade level assistant principal.

3rd Offense
Teacher completes violation form and sends student to the grade level office. Parent is called by grade level clerk to bring an appropriate change of clothing. Student is assigned to ISS until parent arrives.
Saturday School is assigned by grade level assistant principal.

4th Offense
Teacher completes violation form and sends student to the grade level office. Parent is called by grade level clerk to bring an appropriate change of clothing. Student is assigned to ISS until parent arrives.

Disciplinary referral is completed by teacher and submitted to grade level assistant principal.