Peachtree Ridge High School acknowledges that good grooming and personal attire postively affect student achievement and conduct. Peachtree Ridge's dress code is designed to reduce the likelihood of distraction or disruption and to maintain an academic focus in the classroom and on campus. Instruction is interrupted when a student has to be seen by an administrator because of inappropriate dress. If in the judgement of the administration or staff, a student is dressed inappropriately, the student will be required to change clothing. Often, the student has to miss instructional time while waiting for a change of clothing to be brought to the school. Time out of class will be regarded as unexcused. Peachtree Ridge's administration and staff would like the cooperation of the students and parents in reviewing the student's dress to ensure it meets the following dress code guidelines:

1. Headgear - Inappropriate headgear is prohibited and must be kept out of sight in the building. This includes, but is not limited to, hats, hoods, bandanas, wave caps, sweatbands, sunglasses, or and other head covering. No combs, rakes, curlers or picks can be worn in the hair. (*Exceptions for religious or medical reasons to be granted by the principal.) All items, if seen, will be confiscated and not returned to the student until the last day of the semester.

2. Shirts/Blouses/Tops/T-Shirts - Blouses/shirts should be constructed so that the tops of the shoulders are covered (no halter tops, strapless tops, spaghetti straps, or bare shoulder tops of any type will be allowed.) Blouses/shirts which expose any portion of the waist, hips or midriff are not allowed. (If you raise your arms to shoulder level and the stomach shows, the top is unacceptable.) Other blouses/shirts which are not appropriate for school include, but are not limited to, low-cut, see through, form-fitting, backless, or tube tops. Rips or holes are not allowed in shirts/tops. Boys are not to wear sleeveless shirts (except in P.E.). (All students must wear shirts in P.E.).

3. Shorts/Skirts/Pants - All shorts and skirts must be mid-thigh length or longer. Slits in skirts cannot be above mid-thigh. Waistline or shorts/skirts/pants must be on or above the hips with no underwear showing. There should be no rips or holes above the knees.

4. Coats or Blankets - Students may not wear trench coats to school. Students may not wear blankets, capes or cloaks to school. All coats must be properly worn.

5. Shoes - Health regulations and safety factors require that shoes be worn at all times at school (bedroom shoes are not allowed).

6. Undergarments - should not be visible.

7. Pajamas or Sleepwear - of any kind are not allowed to be worn to school.

8. Logos, Symbols or Language - No student clothing shall display words or symbols that advocate or depict violence, drugs, alcohol, sex, illegal gang affiliation or other illegal activity expressed or implied. No student clothing or accessories shall be disruptive or have caused past disruption to the school environment.

9. Jewelry or accessories - that may be used as weapons are not allowed to be worn at school. This includes, but is not limited to, wallet chains, jewelry such as spiked rings, spiked bracelets, two or three finger rings, that are joined and bulky chains worn around the neck or waist. Sharp objects that could pose a danger, such as spikes or safety pins, are not allowed on clothing or books.

10. Gang Identification - Students are not allowed to display clothing or symbols that have been identified by the Gwinnett County Police Gang Taskforce as being commonly identified with gangs. Garments, jewelry, body art and tattoos that communicate gang allegiance are not allowed to be worn at school, and no item may be worn in manner that communicates gang affiliation.

- Gang related attire includes but is not limited to the following: students rolling up one pant leg, long bulky chains and necklaces, gang-styled belt buckles (belt buckles which have Old English script letters and symbols), large oversized pendants on necklaces and chains, bandanas, altering clothing from its original form to changethe names and/or intended marking on the clothing, sweatbands, and/or headbands, and draping articles of clothing, towels, or other objects out of pants pockets or over the shoulder or neck area.

- This rule is subject to updates as additional wearing apparel becomes identified as gan affiliated or disruptive.

11. Belts - must be properly fastened. The belt should not be excessive in length and should not be hanging from either side of the body.

12. All students should be dressed in a symmetrical fashion. Students may not wear clothing or accessories in a manner that would distinguish a particular side of their body.

13. Any student dress/appearance not specifically stated which the faculty or staff deems distracting will not be permitted. It is essential that students respect the learning environment by being appropriately dressed for school. The purpose of the student dress code is not to inhibit any person's taste in attire, but rather to better facilitate the process of education through reasonable guidelines of "dress" instilling dignity and pride. A student wearing clothing or accessories not described in these rules but which become distracting to the learning environment or identified as gang-attire will receive a written warning in advance of any disciplinary action. Consequences for dress code violations start at Step 1 on the Disciplinary Scale.