In coordination with the Mulberry Middle School Mission Statement and with the endorsement of the School Advisory Council and PTSA, the following dress code policy has been established.  It is our purpose to maintain a SAFE and orderly environment, and to prepare our students for personal achievement now and in the future.

     We support the Uniform Dress Code established by the School Board of Polk County.  The administration reserves the right to prohibit the wearing of any article of clothing, hairstyle or accessory, which is considered disruptive to the educational process.  Parents will be contacted and asked to bring appropriate clothing when a student wears something inappropriate or specifically prohibited in this guideline.  School Board Policy, as established in the Code of Conduct will be followed when dealing with dress code violations at Mulberry Middle School.

         Student dress and grooming shall be neat, clean and appropriate for an academic setting.  All clothing must stay fastened as intended.

         SHOES:  Shoes must be worn at all times and shoestrings must be tied.  Shoes must have backs.  Tennis shoes or shoes with rubber soles are recommended.  Clogs, sandals, and platform shoes are not recommended.

         TOPS:  Solid white, hunter green or navy blue polo shirts or blouses must be worn.  Only solid white undershirts are permitted for both boys and girls. School shirts in assorted colors will be sold by PTSA for those who wish to purchase them.  Please send your children to school in shirts with sleeves and NO GRAPHICS.  This includes cartoons, sport team logos, brand name logos, slogans, and pictures.  School T-shirts supporting MMS clubs, teams or organizations ONLY are considered part of the uniform policy.

     ALL tops, other than school T-shirts, must be polo (no more than 3 buttons), woven dress shirts.  Crop tops or any top that exposes skin when arms are raised are not permitted.  Jackets and sweatshirts (in acceptable shirt colors ONLY) must be plain, with no graphics, and should be no longer than hip length.

     BOTTOMS:  Navy, khaki (tan) twill, corduroy or denim long pants, skirts, shorts, jumpers or shorts are allowed.  All pants and shorts must be worn with a belt AT THE WAIST.  All bottoms must be hemmed and free of holes and decorative patches.  Bottoms may not be worn which are excessively baggy, long or large.  Skirts, shorts, jumpers and skorts must be no shorter than a 6” seam.  Athletic shorts and sweatpants are not permitted. No garment that is designed as an undergarment may be visible (boxer shorts, pajamas, or bras).

After four (4) dress code violations, the student will be given a warning letter that states that further dress code infractions will result in disciplinary action.

         ACCESSORIES: Jewelry (including facial and body piercings), buttons, belt buckles, accessories with spikes or metal pieces, haircuts, hair colors, cosmetics or other items or markings that are offensive, indecent, suggestive, associated with gangs, Satanism, racism or encourage the use of drugs, alcohol or violence, or discrimination against any group, or are in any way disruptive, are NOT allowed.  No item that may cause injury may be worn or brought to school. (laser pointers, wallet chains, pins)  No head coverings, hats or sunglasses without special written consent for appropriate reasons (medical, religious) will be allowed.  No combs, grooming aids or curlers may be worn to school.  Earrings may not exceed two inches in length.  Handkerchiefs and/or bandanas hanging out of back pockets are not permitted.  Bandanas worn as headbands are not permitted. 

Dress Code Violations

         First period teachers will check students each morning.  Inappropriately dressed students will be sent to the Discipline Office to make phone calls home.  (Dress code violations start over each nine weeks).

1st – 2nd offense

         Dress code referral/stamp in agenda/call home for clothes

3rd offense

         Work Detail      

Further offenses

         Progressive discipline as outlined in the Polk Schools Code of Conduct