Dress Code

Howe Middle School

The dress and grooming standards of the Howe ISD are meant to promote a positive, orderly and professional learning environment.  At Howe ISD, we believe that our young people should dress for success.  The following guidelines are representative of our community standards and are most conducive to creating an environment where the focus is on instruction.  

Clothing or jewelry which displays or advertises controlled substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, or that maybe considered lewd, offensive, or obscene (i.e. Surf Naked, Hooter’s, Twin Peaks, Caught chasing tail, and etc.) is prohibited. 

Clothing Item 

Permitted Styles 

Special Comments 

Tops 

  • Short or long-sleeved, collared shirt  

  • Pull over sweater/sweatshirt 

  • Crew neck (rounded t-shirt) 

  • Turtleneck and mock turtleneck 

  • Use these guidelines in regards to any COVID related PPE students may wear to school.  

 

  • No visible cleavage 

  • All shirts must be completely buttoned with exception of neck button 

  • No spandex or other stretch material  

  • All shirts must extend below the waist line 

  • Tops worn with leggings must must extend to/ beyond the end

    of the fingertips with shoulders relaxed.

  • No sheer or see-through.  

  • No death related or violent symbols on shirts/pants (Including COVID related masks or PPE)  

  • All shirts must have some sort of sleeve 

Bottoms 

  • Four- or Five-pocket jeans (plain designs) 

  • Pleated or non-pleated slacks 

  • Shorts to the top of the knee 

  • No large print writing or symbols above the knee.   

  • All pants must be worn above the hip level 

  • No excessively baggy style, legs no wider than length of shoe 

  • No holes with skin showing or holes bigger than your fist 

  • Belts must be worn inside belt loops at all times and appropriate size 

  • No studs, brads, or other excessive adornment on belts 

  • Must be hemmed properly at bottom 

  • No pajamas, Sleep style pants warm-ups, sweatpants (anything bottom sweat pant material)  

  • Running tights, leggings or other elastic, form fitting

    material may be worn with a shirt. The shirt must extend

    beyond the fingertips fully extended

Skirts/Dresses 

Shorts/Capris 

  • Hem of skirt or kick pleat must touch the top of the knee or below. 

  • Dresses must have sleeves  

  • Capris must touch the knee cap or below 

  • Shorts permitted on Middle School campus ONLY and must meet above guidelines  

  • No holes or skin showing 

  • No holes bigger than your fist 

  • Hemmed properly at bottom 

  • No low-cut neckline (dresses) 

  • Leggings may only be worn under skirts as long as guidelines for skirts are met 

Outerwear 

  • Sweatshirt 

  • Hooded sweatshirt 

  • Jacket, Coat, Windbreaker 

  • School-sponsored Jacket 

  • Must comply with all above “Tops” guidelines 

  • No trench coats

Footwear 

  • Closed toe shoes 

  • Flip-flops/sandals 

  • No house shoes 

  • Shoes must match  

Hair 

  • All students: neatly groomed; no unnatural hair color may be displayed, such as green, purple, etc., and hair must be kept out of eyes.  No Mohawks. 

Other 

 

 

 

 

  • No hats 

  • No visible tattoos 

  • No gauges or visible body piercing, other than in the ears or one small pierce on the nose . This includes spikes or other backings to ear rings.  

  • No offensive language or symbols depicting death (skulls, weapons, drug or alcohol related). 

  • No  gang-related clothing 

  • No chains or  bandanas 

  • All clothing must fit appropriately, not excessively tight or large 

  • No costumes including animal and animal related accessories.

Administrators will have complete and final judgment on all matters concerning interpretation of the student dress code. Matters concerning the appearance and dress not specifically covered in the dress code policy that is disruptive to the educational process is not permitted.   

HMS Dress Code (PDF Version)