The Coweta

County School System is one of the first systems in the

metro area to establish a middle school dress code.

Superintendent

of education Richard Brooks said the administration

decided to implement the dress code this year because of

recent events in schools around the country.

"There

has been a lot of information that has come out lately

about the type of clothes causing problems. We also want

our students to dress in an appropriate manner,"

Brooks said.

Prior to

creating the policy, Brooks said the system had

"bits and pieces" of a policy, but nothing

really concrete. Now, all the middle schools will have a

unified dress code to enforce.

System

officials had looked at prohibiting shorts, but Brooks

said school officials want to study the item a little

more before banning shorts outright.

Items in

the dress code include:

- Shorts must be at least mid-thigh in

length.

- Biker shorts, Spandex or other

form-fitting shorts are not allowed.

- All shirts, blouses and dresses must

have sleeves. Shirts and blouses must remain tucked into

pants and skirts and the clothing should not expose areas

of the stomach, side or back.

- No camouflage may be worn. No items

of clothing are allowed which are affiliated with any

gang activity.

- No flip-flops or shoes that present

a safety hazard are allowed.

- No hardware chains may be worn as

belts, wallet chains or jewelry.

- No hats, bandanas or headbands my be

worn or displayed.

- No items may be worn that have

depictions of alcohol, drugs or weapons.

If a

student violates the policy, he or she may be isolated

from the rest of the students until more appropriate

attire is obtained.

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