- Effective: 5/14/1974
- Revision: 11/29/2022
- Reviewed: 1/27/2015
- Board Directive
Jordan District schools are to provide a safe, positive, inclusive and healthy in-person or virtual educational environment where academic learning, personal development, and accomplishment can flourish. Part of the educational process is learning self-discipline and appropriate behavior. Therefore, it is the philosophy of the Jordan School District Board of Education to enforce all Utah laws related to conduct on school premises and school buses and to see that students are taught to preserve public property including all school facilities and equipment.
The Board also recognizes that dress and appearance seriously affect the behavior of students attending school or school sponsored activities and may also impact health, sanitation and safety conditions. Because experience has demonstrated that the learning atmosphere is improved when students both look and act appropriately, the Board hereby authorizes establishment of standards of student conduct, dress, and appearance. The Board delegates to the Administration responsibility to see that each school adheres to the conduct, dress, and appearance standards established in the provisions of this policy in a consistent manner. Further, all District and school staff members shall have a share of responsibility in seeing that these standards are implemented and enforced in classrooms, in school buildings, on school grounds, on school buses, at school activities, and other occasions as appropriate. With the approval of district administration and the School Community Council, schools may make minor changes and/or adaptations to the dress and appearance standards in order to address local needs. Schools should seek input from various stakeholder groups.
- Administrative Policy
The Administration shall implement Board philosophy according to the following administrative policy provisions:
- Definitions
- “Conduct” means the act, manner, or process in which a person behaves on a particular occasion or in a particular context.
- “Disruption” means any action, disturbance, problem, or reaction which materially or substantially interrupts an event, activity or process, or causes school personnel to lose the attention of the students, to modify or cease any instruction or school activity, or to deal with student confrontations or complaints.
- “School” means any building, property, space, learning environment, sponsored activity or place (in-person or virtual/online) under the direct or indirect control or influence of the District.
- “School sponsored activity” means (but not limited to) field trips, tours, performances, ceremonies, competitions, assemblies, events, clubs, camps, classes, games, dances, or travel that is produced, financed, arranged, supervised, or coordinated by school or district personnel.
- “School personnel” means the same as defined in DP300-Personnel Philosophy including authorized individuals engaged in a school sponsored activity or purpose by the school or district.
- “School administration” means the school principal, assistant principal, or designee responsible for the daily functioning and overall operation of a school.
- Student Conduct and Positive Behavioral Expectations
- Safe, civil, responsible, and respectful conduct is expected of all students at school or school sponsored activity. Significant or repeated disruptions may be disciplined according to the procedures established in Policy AS67—Discipline of Students.
- Behavior at School
Students are expected to contribute to a productive learning environment in a safe, civil, responsible, and respectful manner.
- Behavior at School Sponsored Activities
As spectators or participants, students are expected to demonstrate appropriate behavior, citizenship, and sportsmanship at all activities and to conduct themselves in a safe, civil, responsible, and respectful manner.
- Protection and Care of School Property
Students are expected to use school devices, resources, equipment, and facilities in a safe, civil, responsible, and respectful manner so that school property is preserved and protected.
- Digital Citizenship
Students are expected to use, possess, or care for any district/school owned electronic device or resource used for digital access, commerce, or communication in a safe, positive, courteous, and responsible manner in accordance with the standards established in AA445-Student Information Network Acceptable Use Policy.
- When authorized by school personnel, electronic devices or resources may be used at school or school sponsored activity.
- Any use of an electronic device or resource, whether personal or district/school owned, that exploits personal information, disrupts the educational process, creates a hostile, threatening, humiliating, abusive environment (AS98-Bullying, Cyberbullying and Hazing), invades personal privacy or compromises the integrity of educational programs is strictly prohibited.
- Sharing, using, or communicating pornographic images, “sexting”, or other sexually suggestive materials, images, thoughts or phrases are strictly prohibited.
- The possession, use, or care of any electronic device or resource is a privilege that may be forfeited if it causes a disruption to the learning environment.
- At no time shall the District be responsible for preventing theft, loss or damage to personal electronic devices or resources brought to school or school sponsored activity.
- Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs or other Illegal Substances
Use or possession (in any form) of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substances at school or school sponsored activity is prohibited and is administered in accordance with Policy AS90 - Illegal Substances.
- Dangerous or Disruptive Conduct
Students that engage in dangerous or disruptive conduct, including (but not limited to) use and/or possession of any weapon or reasonable facsimile of a weapon, committing arson, burglary, larceny, criminal mischief, battery or assault, or who engage in activities which violate federal, state or local laws, may be excluded from school. (See District Policy AS67- Discipline of Students ).
- Patriotism and Respect for the Flag
The Flag of the United States of America shall be appropriately displayed at all schools in keeping with customary and accepted practices. Students shall show proper respect for their country's emblem. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag shall be recited at the beginning of each day in each public school classroom, led by a student in the classroom as assigned by the classroom teacher on a rotating basis. At least once per year, students shall be instructed that participation in the Pledge is voluntary and not compulsory and it is acceptable for someone to choose not to participate in the pledge of allegiance. Students should show respect for any student who chooses not to participate. (§53G-10-304) Discourteous treatment of the flag or other national symbols may be cause for disciplinary action.
- School Dress and Appearance
Appropriate dress and appearance avoids extremes, exemplifies personal cleanliness, promotes an effective learning environment free of unnecessary disruption(s) and increases school safety, security and sanitation factors. There are a variety of clothing styles which may be popular but are inappropriate for the school or school sponsored activity setting.
Dress and appearance standards include (but are not limited to) the following:
- General Standards
- Any clothing, jewelry, accessory, footwear, personal item or appearance practice may be prohibited when it:
- Draws undue attention, distracts, disrupts, and/or interferes with the learning environment at school or school sponsored activity.
- Endangers or affects the health, safety and/or welfare of the individual or others.
- May cause damage or harm to individuals, school devices, resources, equipment or facilities.
- Limits the ability to identify the student.
- Appears as an attempt to challenge the intent and scope of policy or the authority of the school.
- Dress and appearance, including clothing, jewelry, accessory, footwear, personal item or appearance practice, shall be in a manner suitable to the day’s activities consistent with the standards of health, safety, and appropriate behavior. School personnel may require students to wear certain types of clothing for health, safety, security, or sanitation factors or in connection with classes, activities or circumstances.
- Clothing, appearance, jewelry, accessory, footwear, and/or personal items shall be free of writing, images, symbols or any other insignias that:
- Are lewd, obscene, vulgar, or profane.
- Advocate, represent or promote racism, discrimination, violence or hate in any form.
- Signify gang affiliation.
- Advocate, represent or promote tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substance(s).
- Advocate, represent or promote criminal or illegal activities.
- Infringe on the rights of others.
- Are pornographic or sexually suggestive.
- Specific dress and appearance standards are found at Student Support Services online at https://studentsupport.jordandistrict.org/dresscode.
- School administration may authorize exceptions for health/medical issues, religious beliefs, or safety reasons.
- School dress and appearance enforcement should be reasonable and seek to minimize the loss of instructional time.
- Graduation
The graduation commencement ceremony is a formal and dignified in-person school sponsored activity which has significant meaning for graduates, parents, families, staff, and the community. The commencement ceremony, from the opening of the processional to the completion of the recessional, honors the collective achievement of the graduating class.
In order to maintain the dignity, decorum, propriety, and respect of the commencement ceremony, the following is expected of all participants:
- Conduct, dress and appearance are to adhere to the provisions in this policy and be appropriate for a ceremony of this nature.
- Graduates are expected to wear the prescribed cap and gown without alterations.
- Graduates will be allowed to wear recognized items of religious or cultural significance in a dignified manner.
- Formal, semi-formal, or customary dress attire is appropriate for a commencement ceremony.
- School issued and approved tassels, sashes, pins, hoods, cowls, mantles, cords, insignias, or medals signifying achievement, honor, participation, membership, or recognition may be worn.
Virtual graduation commencement ceremonies or events are school sponsored activities. Student conduct, dress, and appearance standards are contained in II.A-C above and are under the direction of the school administration.
Revision history: 12/4/2004, 8/28/12, 3/26/13, 5/22/18, 10/26/21