Purpose
The purpose of the Ball Junior High School dress code is to improve safety for all students on our campus. Our dress code helps us to identify people who do not belong on our campus. It prevents students from openly identifying with specific groups or cliques. It reduces problems associated with harassment and distractions in the classrooms. It promotes a sense of school pride and spirit.
Dress Code
Ball Polo Shirt - Solid color polo shirt – student may only wear solid color white, black, or gray/silver polo shirts. Ball Polo Shirts available from Ball Junior High School only. Spirit shirts (band, choir, AVID, ASB, etc.) may also be worn any day of the week. College shirts may be worn on Fridays.
Outerwear – Sweatshirts and jackets are available at Ball Junior High School. Non-Ball sweatshirts, jackets and outerwear must be in compliance with our district guidelines. Sweatshirts and jackets must be school appropriate. College sweatshirts are acceptable.
Pants – Must fit at the waist and be worn at the waist. They must not drag on the ground, have frayed or cut bottoms. No pants with holes or tears will be allowed. Only solid color choices are acceptable. Leg cuffs CANNOT be rubber banded or otherwise tied at the ankle. No fleece sweat pants or yoga pants. Leggings/ spandex pants are not permitted.
Shorts – Must fit at the waist and be worn at the waist. Length needs to be between the mid-thigh and knees. For boys, shorts must be no longer than the mid-calf. Only solid color choices are acceptable.
Skirts – Must be mid-thigh or longer. No tight or spandex fabrics. Only solid color choices are acceptable.
Shoes/Socks – Must be worn at all times and cover the whole foot or have back straps. There must be a minimum of four inches between top of socks and bottom of shorts.
The following items are NOT allowed:
- Hats or head coverings of any kind.
- Belt buckles with letters, pictures, oversized, or illuminated messages.
- Baggy, oversized, excessively loose or tight-fitting clothes.
- Wallet chains/ lanyards or types of jewelry which may be considered unsafe.
- Sun glasses, unless prescribed by a doctor.
- Steel-toed boots.
- Hair styles that cause distraction and/or disrupt class.
- Facial piercing is not encouraged for student safety.
- Earrings should be the size of a dime or smaller. Earrings that project sharp or pointed ends are discouraged.
- Items with images of or references to weapons, drugs, alcohol, or sexual references are not permitted.
- Any other items deemed by the administration to be dangerous or distracting.
Violations:
The consequence for violating our dress code will be:
- 1st offense – Student receives a warning and will be provided with loaners.
- 2nd offense – Student receives a warning and will be provided with loaners.
- 3rd offense – Student receives a 30 minute detention and will be provided with loaners.
- 4th offense – Student receives a 30 minute detention and will be provided with loaners.
- 5th offense – Student receives a 60 minute detention & an AP meets with student and will be provided with loaners.
- 6th offense – Student receives a 60 minute detention, an AP meets with student and parents are contacted and will be provided with loaners.
- 7th offense – Parent conference is scheduled with admin. 1.5 hour detention given and will be provided with loaners.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There seem to be some odd things in the dress code (wrist bands, spiked collars, etc.). Why is this?
The dress code is based on things that have happened over the years that have been detrimental to student safety. For example, some students find it fashionable to wear wrist bands with studs and spikes on them. These can be dangerous objects and have been used as a weapon. The same is true for wallet chains, some belts and steel-toed boots. Additionally, by restricting clothing styles such as those worn by undesirable groups, we can keep our campus free from gang activity and maintain a safe campus for everyone.
Everything listed in the dress code is an item that has caused, will cause or continues to cause disruption on campus. It is our goal to limit the disruptions.
My child can learn in whatever he or she wear. What does it matter?
The dress code isn't just for your child, it is for everyone. Students who wear extremely tight or revealing clothing open themselves up to inappropriate comments and harassment. This type of harassment is not only distracting; it can lead to physical conflicts as well. It is our intent to minimize any potential for conflicts or fights and protect your child from harassment.
The current style for girl's clothes is short tops and low rise pants.
Why isn't this acceptable at school?
Why isn't this acceptable at school?
The way students dress off campus is their business and yours as a parent; the way students dress on campus is another matter. Students constantly push the boundaries that parents and schools set for them. If students were allowed to show skin at the midriff, the tops would get shorter and shorter. It is the same with plunging neck lines. Some students do not know how to set appropriate boundaries for dress, those that do often submit to peer pressure or fashion trends that compromise their own principles. This holds true for students who reveal their undergarments. Some boys wear their pants well below their buttocks, revealing their underwear. This is not acceptable in an academic environment where students are being prepared for college and a professional world after high school. The same goes for girls who wear low rise pants and short tops. Their undergarments are often revealed to others. There have been many times when girls have worn underwear that is visible between their pants and tops. When they sit down, other students can see straight down the back of their pants. This style is not appropriate for school. This style of dress is not only distracting to others but often brings inappropriate comments and innuendo to the wearer. (A recent fashion article just reported that this is not the current style for this fall.)
Why can't my student wear a hat or keep his or her hood on? Sometimes it is raining or cold.
We do not allow students to wear their sweatshirt hoods because it makes it difficult to identify students. It is important for school safety. Every year we are able to identify trespassers because they do not know our dress code and they are easy to spot. We know the majority of our students by sight. With hoods on, we cannot be sure who the person is. If it is raining, your student should have an umbrella. Many students have small, personal umbrellas they keep in their backpacks. Cold is typically not an issue. We live in Southern California. The campus is open as early as 7:00 A.M. If it is cold students may go inside the cafeteria.
My student has a cold or is sick. Why can't he/she wear a hat or hood?
Wearing hats and hoods are not remedies for colds or flus. Colds and flus are caused by viruses, not from cold weather. If a student is that ill he or she should stay home so as to not infect others.
What is wrong with sports jerseys? I am a basketball and football fan and I like to wear my favorite team's jersey.
There are two things about sports jerseys. One is that they are usually VERY large and long. This goes against the oversized and baggy clothes restriction of our policy. Secondly, there are some groups of students who identify themselves by wearing the jerseys of certain teams. Some gangs have adopted certain teams and the jerseys as their logo and color.
Why are you calling me about the way my student is dressed? He or she looked fine when he or she left the house this morning.
Sometimes, more than we like to think, students will change clothes, adjust them or alter the way they wear them after they leave home. Please believe us if we call you and tell you their clothing is inappropriate.
My child dresses just fine. Why don't you just target those who do break the rules?
If your student dresses appropriately, that is wonderful, and dress code will never be a problem. However, a blanket policy is created to take the bias out of decision making and presents a guideline by which ALL students are held to the EXACT same standard. All students are expected to be in the school uniform and following the dress code.
Getting an after school opportunity class, an on-campus suspension, or off campus suspension seems too harsh a penalty for a dress code violation. Why not just give violaters a warning?
Our expectations have been made very clear to our students. In the registration packet to enroll at Ball, EVERY student, and his or her parent, must initial that they have read and understand the policy and consequences. This lets the school know that you have been notified and warned about the policy. Detentions seldom work when dress code is the issue. Through years of experience, we have found that MOST students would rather comply with the rule than be given an ASO, on-campus or off-campus suspension. Safety is our priority and that will not be negotiated.
What can I do to ensure that my child follows the dress code?
The first thing is to buy your child clothes that fit. As the parent, YOU should make the final call. Many parents have given their children hundreds of dollars to go buy their school clothes and the child returns with a totally inappropriate wardrobe.
Secondly, look at your student before he or she walk out the door in the morning. When in doubt, make him or her change.
One last note about dress code:
Dress code is one of the areas that every student knows and understands. If your child gets a consequence for dress code he or she is told EXACTLY why at the time that consequence is assigned. The best response a parent can give when his or her child comes home complaining about a dress code violation is to simply say, "You know the rules. Follow them." Be assured, that for the vast majority of our students, if you do not defend them, they will very quickly get the message that they are becoming responsible for themselves and they will dress appropriately after that.
Your support is greatly appreciated.