Dress Code

At Ochoa Middle School, we believe that appropriate dress plays a vital role in fostering a positive and productive educational atmosphere. As an institution dedicated to preparing students for success, we recognize that dress code is not only about safety and security but also about promoting a culture of respect, inclusivity, and focus on learning. Our dress code aligns with accepted business attire standards, ensuring a healthy and conducive environment for every student's growth.

Guiding Principles of Dress Code:

Our dress code policy adheres to the following principles:

• Prohibition of clothing with colors, slogans, and numbers associated with violence, prohibited substances, offenses against creed or gender, or articles of immodesty.
• Emphasis on accepted business attire that supports a professional and focused learning environment.
• Expectation of appropriate dress at all SMS sponsored events, including dances, ASB activities, parent/student meetings, and sporting events.
• Ochoa Middle School reserves the right to deny entrance to any sponsored event due to inappropriate clothing.

Promoting Respectful Dress: How It Works

Students are expected to adhere to our dress code policy. If a student chooses to dress inappropriately:

• They will be asked to change into appropriate clothing.
• Students without suitable clothing may receive clothing provided by the school.
• If necessary, arrangements for students to go home or for parents to bring suitable clothing will be made.
• Continued violations of the dress code policy will result in disciplinary action, and confiscated items may be used as evidence.

Articles of Clothing NOT PERMITTED:

The following clothing and accessories are not permitted on campus or at any school-sponsored event:

• Sagging pants or extremely oversized clothing, including 'Tall Tees'.
• Pants worn below the waistline. Visible undergarments must be covered completely.
• Clothing predominantly of a single color.
• Gang-affiliated tattoos, permanent or temporary.
• Clothing or accessories with Old English lettering.
• Bandanas of any kind or color, colored laces, hanging belts, permanent pens, Rosary beads, large hoop earrings.
• Clothing identified as gang-related, belts significantly longer than the waist, clothing with drug/alcohol/tobacco logos, or clothing with offensive language.
• Clothing associated with specific neighborhoods or gangs, such as Raiders, Kings, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Ben Davis, Players, 13, South Side, and Rolling Hard logos.
• Dangling chains, halter tops, tank tops, spaghetti straps, see-through tops, low-cut tops, or tops exposing breasts or belly.
• Hats, caps, hair nets, hoods, or headgear of any kind.
• Hoods worn on the head.
• Necklaces or bracelets with sharp points, pajamas, slippers, pajama pants.
• Pants nailed, stapled, or pinned to shoes, or pants gathered at ankles with rubber bands.
• Overcoats, trench coats, dusters.
• Piercings that may pose danger, inappropriate skirts, shorts, or dresses.
• Sunglasses worn indoors, tattered or cutoff clothing.
• Tall socks pulled up to bottom of shorts or short pants, display of gang-associated letters/numbers.