Dress Guidelines
Norwich Public Schools Dress Code Policy (effective 8/31/22)
In order to maintain an environment conducive to the educational process, the Norwich Board of Education (the “Board”) prohibits the following from wear during the academic school day:
a. Coats, jackets or other attire normally worn as outerwear. Outerwear includes: coats, jackets, windbreakers, nylon pullovers, down vests, and other clothing that administration deems inappropriate. Outerwear shall not be worn, carried, or kept in the classroom during regular school hours.
b. Head coverings of any kind, including but not limited to bandannas, masks, visors, kerchiefs, hats, caps, or hoods. Head coverings shall not be worn, carried, hung on belts or around the neck, or kept in the classroom during regular school hours. Approved coverings worn as part of a student's religious practice or belief, or as required or permitted in conjunction with school district health and safety protocols, shall not be prohibited under this policy. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to prohibit protective hairstyles.* “Protective hairstyles” includes, but is not limited to, wigs, headwraps and hairstyles such as individual braids, cornrows, locs, twists, Bantu knots, afros and afro puffs.
c. Items a. and b. above must be secured in the student's locker or other storage area before school starts. Items not stored will be confiscated by the administration.
d. Footwear which marks floors or is a safety hazard.
e. Sunglasses (indoors), whether worn or carried, unless required pursuant to a documented medical issue.
f. Metal clothing or other oversized metal belt buckles and all metal belts or combination of metal and leather belts.
g. Spiked or studded bracelets, oversized or multi-finger rings, belts or any other article of attire with spikes or studs attached, or any other clothing item that may present a safety hazard to the student, other students or staff.
h. Attire or accessories that contain vulgarity or that contain offensive or disruptive writing or pictures (as defined by administration), which are likely to disrupt the educational environment.
i. Attire or accessories depicting or suggesting violence (as defined by administration) so as to disrupt the educational environment or that provokes others to act violently or causes others to be intimidated by fear of violence or that constitute "fighting words,” including but not limited to attire or accessories depicting the Confederate flag and/or the Nazi swastika.
j. Attire or accessories that depict logo or emblems that encourage the use of drugs, tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages.
k. See-through clothing and clothing that reveals the abdomen, chest, or undergarments.
l. Shorts, miniskirts, or pants that reveal the upper thigh or undergarments.
m. Backpacks and/or book bags must be secured in the student's locker or other storage area before school starts. Items not stored will be confiscated by the administration.
n. Pajama tops, bottoms and slippers (except as expressly permitted by the principal during a fundraiser, attendance or spirit celebration of the school).
Students who fail to comply with Board policy and regulations concerning student dress will be subject to school discipline up to and including expulsion in accordance with the Board's policy on student discipline.
*Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-51 (definition of protective hairstyles)