The Marlborough Public Schools recognizes that the responsibility of dressing and grooming resides primarily with the student and parents or guardians.  All students shall have a right to express themselves through dress and hair style of their own choosing, which includes:

• Top (shirt, blouse, sweater, sweatshirt, tank, etc.);

• Bottom (pants, shorts, skirt, dress, etc.);

• Footwear,

provided students meet their responsibility to dress and groom in a manner that conforms to the reasonable standards of health, safety, and cleanliness.  The school district and individual schools ensure that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, and that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student.  Clothing must be worn by all students in a way such that the private areas of the chest, pelvis/groin, and buttocks are covered with opaque (non-see-through) material.

Clothing will be deemed inappropriate if it creates disorder in the educational environment, or if an administrator believes there will be a reasonable likelihood of substantial disorder to the educational environment. 

Students are prohibited from wearing clothing and accessories that:

a.  Have slogans, comments or designs that are obscene, lewd or vulgar;

b.  Are directed towards or intended to harm, harass, threaten, intimidate or demean individual groups or individuals of sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, body type/size, or marital status;

c.  Advertise alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or drugs.

Student, faculty, or parent groups may recommend appropriate dress for school or special occasions.  Students will not be prevented from attending school or a school function, or otherwise be discriminated against, so long as their dress and appearance meet the requirements set forth above.

Approved 4/26/16

Approved 4/27/21

Approved 8/29/22

Approved: 8/27/24