By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

Coweta County's dress code for high school students is stirring up some controversy, but Superintendent of Education Richard Brooks said the code is nothing new.

“There are a few minor changes, but this is the first year we've published it, so people are more aware of it,” he said.

One of the items causing concern among students is that all shirts must be tucked in.

“We just feel it's appropriate for a school environment. We're not saying it's a bad thing, but we just feel it allows the students to focus more,” Brooks said.

The established standard has been set to discourage clothing that may be a distraction to the learning environment and possible safety of students, he said.

The dress standard is as follows:

All shirts must be tucked into pants or skirts and/or the waistline should be visible.

All shirts and dresses must have sleeves. Tank tops, tube tops and shirts without sleeves are not acceptable.

Students will be permitted to wear shorts, dresses and skirts, provided they reach the end of the fingertips or longer. (Splits in skirts/dresses/shorts must be below the fingertips.) Mini-skirts, mini-dresses and short shorts are not permitted.

Overalls may be worn with both straps fastened and on the shoulders. A shirt must be worn under overalls.

Pants must be worn properly at the hips.

Chains or sharp objects are not permitted.

Low cut, see-through, strapless or backless dresses/shirts may not be worn.

No student should dress in such a way that his/her underwear is partially or totally exposed. The waist and top portions of boxer shorts and briefs, bra straps and bra sides should not show.

No student may wear any jewelry or clothing or carry backpacks which display or suggest alcohol, drugs, tobacco, weaponry, profanity, vulgarity, sexual innuendo, or scatological humor.

No student may wear any jewelry or clothing or carry backpacks which display or suggest anything inflammatory or degrading to a particular race, creed or culture.

No student will wear camouflage outfits.

No student will wear trench coats.

No student may wear clothes with holes above the knees, in the crotch, or under the buttocks.

Hats, headbands, bandannas, sunglasses, stocking caps, hoods, picks/combs, and other headgear are not permitted.

Blouses, dresses or skirts which expose the areas of the stomach, side or back are not permitted.

Excessively form-fitting or loose-fitting clothing is not permitted.

Any clothing/jewelry or improperly worn clothing deemed gang related by the administration will not be permitted.