Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 2, 1995                   TAG: 9509050028
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOL FASHION STATEMENT: DON'T DISRUPT

Caps and hats are out.

So are tank tops or other attire showing bare midriff.

Garments imprinted with obscene, vulgar or suggestive language or pictures are prohibited. Those that promote the use of alcohol or illegal drugs are unacceptable, too.

With the new school year starting Tuesday, Roanoke school officials say they hope to have a more consistent interpretation of the city's dress regulations to avoid confusion about them.

Some parents complained recently to the School Board that schools vary in their interpretations of what is permitted.

Ann Harman, executive for student services and alternative programs, said the city's regulations forbid "dress which disrupts the educational process or which poses a threat to the safety or welfare of the student or others."

Harman said there is room for subjective interpretation of what is disruptive or a safety threat. But principals have been asked to try to be consistent in their decisions on what is allowed and what is banned, she said.

Hats may not be worn in school buildings, Harman said, but religious headdresses will be allowed.

Clothing or accessories - such as chain belts, cleats, spike bracelets or necklaces - that could cause injury to others or damage to property are prohibited.

State Department of Health rules require that students wear shoes at all times, Harman said.

Students' clothing should be clean and in good repair, she said.

"We would prefer that students be neatly dressed, but we can't dictate everything," she said.

The school system has no regulations on hairstyle and color. Some parents have complained that Mohawk haircuts and hair dyed such colors as purple and green are out of place in the classroom.

But Harman said the schools have no basis for regulating hairstyles or color unless there's a safety risk.

"As long as they don't present a hazard, there is not much that we can do about them," she said.

Similarly, the schools will not try to restrict students' jewelry and body piercings unless they cause a disruption or pose a safety threat, she said.

Harman said school officials will seek the views of students, parents and others on dress regulations in the next few months.

"We want to know what the community wants - how it feels about restrictions on student dress," she said.

Harman said school officials want to get community sentiment before they propose changes in dress regulations to the School Board.

One parent, Patricia Edwards, told the School Board recently that the lack of clearly defined regulations on student dress makes it more difficult for parents to control their children's attire and appearance.

When parents try to control their children's dress, she said, the children say the schools don't care.

But Harman said the schools plan to enforce their dress regulations and be more consistent in interpreting them.