CECIL COUNTY STUDENT DRESS CODE
Cecil County Public Schools seeks to promote good citizenship, to provide a safe and
comfortable environment conducive to learning, and to prepare students for adult
professional life. Certain clothing types and styles are deemed not appropriate as school-day
attire and in addition may present an unhealthy or unsafe situation. Appropriate dress is
expected of all students. The responsibility for appropriate student dress lies with the
student and his/her parents/guardians within approved standards set by the Board of
Education and the schools.
The Board directs the Superintendent to formulate regulations and guidelines that establish
standards of student dress with appropriate consequences for violations. Prohibited clothing
and accessories are those that:
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Are not acceptable to the work or learning environment
Pose a safety or health hazard
Interfere with or disrupt the educational process
Advocate unsafe or inappropriate behavior
Are vulgar, obscene, revealing or offensive
Demean others on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, disability, or other
attribute
 Promote the use of tobacco, drugs or alcohol.
BOHEMIA MANOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
Schools have three (3) primary responsibilities with respect to students. The first
responsibility is to foster academic achievement. The second responsibility is to create and
maintain a school environment that is safe, orderly, and conducive to learning. The third
responsibility is to promote and support positive community standards and values such as
civility, respect for others, self-respect, citizenship and other constructive character traits and
behaviors. Without these, teaching and learning will be negatively impacted.
Bohemia Manor Middle School has deemed the following clothing types and styles
inappropriate for the school. Examples of prohibited clothing and accessories include, but
are not limited to:
HEAD COVERINGS: Head coverings, except for those worn for approved and accepted
medical or religious purposes. Prohibited head coverings include, but are not limited to:
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Hats
Caps
Bandanas
Headbands
Hoods
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Scarves
Wave Caps
Picks
Combs
Sunglasses
TOPS: Clothing that reveals private body parts, underclothing, cleavage (as measured by a
horizontal line across the top of the arm pit), midriffs, or those areas of the body that are
normally covered by underclothing. All tops should be constructed so that the top of the
shoulder is covered with at least a two (2) inch strap and has a standard size armhole.
Prohibited tops include, but are not limited to:
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Tube tops
Spaghetti straps
Single strap shirts
Backless shirts or blouses
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Halter tops
Muscle shirts
Pajama tops
Tank tops
(OVER)
BOTTOMS: All bottoms should cover undergarments at all times, be of safe length (cannot
drag on floor), remain at the natural waistline, may not resemble bedroom attire, or fit so
they are skin tight or over-baggy. Prohibited bottoms include, but are not limited to:
 Excessively short shorts (Shorts can be no shorter than 5” above the top of the knee
while standing – length of a 3” X 5” index card)
 Excessively short skirts & dresses (Skirts or dresses can be no shorter than 3” above
the top of the knee while standing – width of a 3” X 5” index card)
 Leggings & tights (may only be worn with skirts or shorts that meet the minimum
3” X 5” requirement)
 Pajama bottoms
FOOTWEAR: Footwear should be worn at all times, fit securely enough to the foot for safe
movement, may not resemble what is to be considered a bedroom slipper, have a hard or
rubber sole, not have such a high heel as to cause concern for safe movement, and be
appropriate to the student’s educational program.
JEWELRY, PIERCINGS, PERFUMES, MAKE-UP & ACCESSORIES: Should be modest without
attracting undue attention to the wearer, be unobtrusive so as not to endanger other’s ability
to be comfortable and healthy, not have an overwhelming fragrance which infringes on
other’s comfort and health, contain no parts that may be perceived as a weapon, have no
chains, large buckles or adornments that could cause, or be perceived to cause, injury or
damage, or could conceal the identity of the wearer.
APPEARANCE, LANGUAGE ON CLOTHING, SYMBOLS, TATTOOS and MESSAGES: Must
not show reference to or infer: profanity, gang affiliation, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, firearms,
weapons, violence, abuse, suggestive and/or sexual messages. Language, brand logos or
symbols on attire or persons may not offend, demean, or promote hatred toward an
identifiable person or group based on a person’s race, color, religion, ethnicity, national
origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
CONSEQUENCES FOR DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS: If a dress code violation occurs, the
student will be responsible for rectifying the situation. Options include, but are not limited
to:
• Calling home to get a change of clothes
• Borrowing clean clothes from the guidance office
• Changing into a PE uniform
Chronic offenses will be considered disregard for school policies and will result in
administrative action, including:
• Parent contact
• Pending suspension
• Detention
• MIP
• Saturday School
• Suspension