The last four years of high school are a time when students should be preparing themselves to enter the world of work.  Students should consider school as their job, and their grades and diploma as their pay check.  Therefore, students should dress for the “job”.  We expect students to come to school in clothes that are clean and neat and to exhibit basic cleanliness and grooming that will not be a health or safety threat to themselves or to other students or staff.  While we respect all students’ desire to express themselves in their clothing and grooming styles, we do not permit students to wear clothing with pictures, emblems, or writing that is lewd, offensive, vulgar, or obscene or that advertises or depicts tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs or any other substance that students are prohibited from having or using at school.  The principal or his designee will make all final decisions about dress and grooming violations.  Following are more specific guidelines. 

 Required Dress:

>    Only full-length pants, jeans or wind-pants may be worn.  Prohibited clothing includes, but is not limited to shorts of any type; jeans with excessive studs, rings or other decorations; Capri pants; oversized or baggy pants; pants with oversized pockets, side pockets or outside front pockets; pants with intentionally produced holes, tears, rips or fraying; pajamas or any night wear; tear-a-way warm-up pants, and cotton sweat (athletic) pants.  Skirts may be worn for religious purposes only, and must be approved by the campus administrator or designee. 

>    Only collared shirts may be worn except on Tuesdays and Fridays.  On Tuesdays and Fridays, Bowie spirit shirts or Bowie T-shirts may be worn. All shirts must have sleeves.  There are no color restrictions on collared shirts.  T-shirts may not have any writing, designs or symbols on them except for those that positively support Bowie ISD or one of its recognized programs.  Legitimate manufacturer and college logos, such as Izod, Polo, Nike, Adidas, Texas Tech, Texas, OU etc. may be displayed on collared shirts.  All shirts except T-shirts must have buttons and must be buttoned to within one button of the top at all times.  Transparent shirts are prohibited.  The display of any cleavage indicates that the shirt is not properly buttoned.  

>    Shirts do not have to be tucked in, but must be long enough to cover the torso when bending or stooping.  We will enforce the 4-B’s rule.  If the back, belly, bottom or breasts are exposed, the student is out of code and will be sent home.

>    All students must wear shoes.  Closed toed shoes are preferred.  Open toed shoes must have a manufactured back or back strap.  Socks must be worn with appropriate footwear.  Flip-flops, beach shoes, shower shoes and house shoes are prohibited.

>    Belts are required for all pants that do not fit properly.   Belts are not required in pants originally designed to be worn without a belt.  Pants without belts, must be firmly secured at all times, either with a drawstring, or by proper sizing.   

>     Proper undergarments are to be worn at all times by all students.  

>    All chains, clothing or items that have gang related significance, or may be considered a weapon are prohibited.  No chains of any kind will be permitted on billfolds, checkbooks, belts, or pants.

 >     Hats, caps or any other type of headwear may not be worn inside a school building.

>    In the interest of safety, all garments worn outside the regular dress for warmth, must have an open front and remain open at all times, and may not extend past the middle of the thigh.  Pull-over type “Hoodies” that are not opened-front are prohibited.

>    Gothic or any all black dress is prohibited.

Required Grooming: 

>    Boys’ hair may be no lower than the bottom of the ear lobe, above the eyebrows, and not past the base of the neck when properly groomed or styled.  Sideburns may not extend past the bottom of the ear lobe.  Hair is to be kept clean and well groomed at all times.  Only a natural hair color is permitted, including accent streaks.  Boys may not wear ponytails or dreadlocks, have Mohawks, or braid their hair except for cornrows or Shaka Braids that meet the required hair length.  Any hairstyle considered by the administration to be a distraction is prohibited.  

>   Facial hair is prohibited.

>  Visible body piercing, except for ear jewelry in girls’ ears is strictly prohibited.  Boys shall not wear ear jewelry or spacers at any time. Nose studs are prohibited.

>   All tattoos must be covered.

>    Sunglasses, unless medically prescribed, may not be worn inside the school building.  Physician’s instructions must be cleared through the campus administrator or designee.

It is the responsibility of each student to report to school in compliance with the dress and grooming code, and to remain within the code while attending school.  Students who do not comply are considered to have made the choice not to attend school that day.  Students found in violation of the dress and grooming code will be sent home, held in the office if  no transportation is available, or sent to AEP, and will be counted absent for the remainder of the day for credit and test exemption purposes.  Students who repeatedly violate the dress and grooming code will be placed in AEP 

Any items taken in violation of the dress or grooming code will remain in the custody of a school administrator until the last day of the school year.