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We, at Pinellas High Innovation, believe that student dress and overall appearance should foster a positive and productive environment and should reflect pride in one’s self as well as in our school. We further believe that student dress and appearance is a shared responsibility of the home and the school. It is our sincere desire to provide adequate leeway for individuality, but at the same time to maintain a standard of good grooming and personal modesty. All clothing should be neat, clean and in good repair.
Additional information and a few common concerns are outlined below:
A. All clothing must be appropriately sized, securely fastened and cover midriff, back, sides, and all undergarments at all times. For example, suspenders should be over the shoulders, pants secured at the waist, belts buckled, no underwear as outerwear, no underwear exposed.
B. Clothing must cover the body from one armpit across to the other armpit and down to mid-thigh. All tops must have sleeves and cover the entire shoulder.
C. Rips, holes, or tears in clothing must be below mid-thigh.
D. See-through, revealing, or mesh garments must not be worn without appropriate coverage underneath that meets the minimum requirements of this dress code.
E. Gang paraphernalia, garments and/or jewelry, tattoos, or other insignias which display or suggest sexual, vulgar, drug, alcohol, or tobacco-related wording/graphics or may tend to provoke violence or disruption in school shall not be worn.
F. Clothing must not state, imply, or depict hate speech or imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or any other characteristics protected by federal or state law or Board policy.
G. Any articles of clothing or jewelry that may cause injury, including, but not limited to, items with spikes, or sharp objects, wallet chains, and heavy link chains are not allowed.
H. Students must wear shoes that are safe and appropriate for the learning environment. Inappropriate footwear includes, but is not limited to, roller skates, skate shoes, and bedroom slippers.
I. Form-fitting leotard/spandex type clothing is not allowed unless proper outer garments cover to mid-thigh length or longer.
J. Clothing and footwear traditionally designed as sleepwear shall not be worn.
K. Headgear, including but not limited to, caps, hats, bandannas, hoods, sweatbands and/or sunglasses shall not be worn indoors on campus unless permitted by the principal for religious or medical reasons. Students may wear sunglasses, hats, or other sun-protective clothes while outdoors during school hours. However, these articles must not violate this dress code.
L. Individual schools are expected to use the state and district dress and grooming guidelines as minimum standards; any adjustments may be made upon approval of the School Advisory Council (SAC). The principal at each school reserves the right to determine what appropriate dress is for the school as detailed in these minimum standards.
Please help support our rules and policies, thereby facilitating your son’s or daughter’s growth as learners, citizens and young adults. We ask that you speak with your student(s) about the policy and guidelines and consider these expectations when shopping for clothing or evaluating their day to day dressing and grooming habits. If you have any additional questions or concerns, contact the school.