A dress code mandating uniforms is in effect for all students in the Moss Point School District.  Uniforms were implemented to:  enhance school safety, eliminate distractions, improve the educational environment, promote self-esteem, decrease violence among students, promote better discipline, and assist students in resiting peer pressure.

    Every component of student attire shall be appropriate in length and/or size.  Appropriate is defined as that which properly covers the body and is in good taste. Garments that are too tight, too short, or too loose on the body are not considered appropriate or in good taste.  The administrator of each school shall have the final decision about the appropriateness of the length/size of clothing.  All teachers shall monitor student attire and refer inappropriately dressed students to the principal or his/her designee when the infraction occurs.

     Moss Point School District secondary students will dress in the adopted clothing style and colors.  The following standardized dress requirements apply:

Standardized Dress Selection

Tops
     Acceptable tops are polo or oxford style shirts with long or short sleeves.  Shirts MUST be long enough to tuck inside pants (GIRLS and BOYS) or skirts with belts showing, no blousing.  T-shirts shall not be worn as tops. Tops must be of appropriate size without ruffles, pleats, lace, trim, etc.

Bottoms
     Acceptable bottoms are pants/slacks, skirts, and jumpers.  Skirts and jumpers may be pleated or non-pleated.  Shorts or skorts, baggy, sagging, low riders, rivets, cargo, denim, hip huggers, Capri pants, holes, frays, jogging pants, rolled up pants, spandex, sweats, biker pants, and nylon material are not allowed.  PANTS MUST BE UNIFORM STYLE PANTS WORN AT THE WAIST.  Bottoms that were manufactured to be worn with belts shall be worn with belts properly affixed.  Not all uniform style skirts have belt loops, but they must be of appropriate length and worn at the waist.

Outerwear
     Acceptable outerwear is cardigan, crew neck, or V -neck sweaters or vest.  An appropriate top must be worn under the outerwear.  Non-hooded sweatshirts no more than one size too big may be worn in the classroom to accommodate layering in the winter months if it is one of the appropriate colors (shown above).

Jackets/Coats
     Acceptable jackets/coats will have no sports logos or lettering, designs, pictures depicting group affiliations, drugs, alcohol or obscenities.  Jackets/coats will NOT be worn in the classrooms, unless approved by the teacher.

Shoes
     Acceptable shoes are enclosed loafers and lace-ups.  House slippers, beach shoes, shower shoes, flip-flops, high/spike heels, platform shoes, sandals, or any other shoes without backs are not allowed.

Undergarments
     Proper undergarments must be worn by males and females. T-shirts must be solid white.  Muscle shirts or t-shirts with lettering of any kind shall not be worn.

Hardship Status
     Various organizations may provide assistance to parents encountering difficulty in complying with the dress code requirements.  Parents may contact the principal/counselor for details.

Dress Code Compliance
     If necessary, disciplinary action may be taken to encourage compliance with the policy.  The school shall strive to achieve full compliance through positive reinforcement and should resort to disciplinary action only when positive measure fail to ensure compliance.  In addition, the school should communicate with parents so that expectations, rationale, and benefits are fully understood by the student and his/her family.

     Students new to the district and enrolling on or after the first day of school will have five (5) calendar days to comply with the mandatory uniform dress code.  The pricipal or designee may exercise discretion at the initial enrollment date of the student.

     At the time of the first dress code offense the principal or designee will contact the parent/guardian and request that he/she bring proper uniform attire to the school for his/her child.  A discussion will be held with the parent/guardian to assure that he/she understands the dress code policy.

Moss Point Uniform Policy for School Activities
     When students wear a Moss Point "MP" in any extracurricular activities, they represent the Moss Point School District.  Any student attending the Moss Point School District who shall be required to wear or who shall choose to wear a uniform or other type of dress because of his/her participation in a school activity, which dress is clearly and readily identifiable with the Moss Point School District, whether the uniform or other type of dress is provided to the student by the school system or whether the student provides the uniform, shall be expected to conduct himself/herself while in such uniform, at all times, in a manner acceptable to the school system.

     This behavior is required whether or not the student is under the direct supervision of the school and/or its personnel and whether or not the student is on school premises or at an official school function.

     It is the intent of the administration to inform such student that his/her participation in activities may be denied, terminated, or restricted as a result of behavior determined to be unbecoming or unacceptable to the school administration and/or Board of Education while the student is wearing a uniform identifiable with the Moss Point School District.

     Uniforms provided for school activities shall be maintained in good condition and will remain the property of the school district.  Such uniforms which are damaged shall be paid for in full by the student's parent/guardian.