Vermilion Parish School Board looks to adopt new dress code for after-school functions

After hearing complaints from parents about certain schools letting students wear certain clothes to special events while other schools didn’t not allow it, the Vermilion Parish School Board stepped in to fix the problem.

Over the years, when a school had after-school-special events, what school you attended determined what was allowed.

One school may let you wear jeans to prom where another school may not. Another school may let you wear a baseball cap to a dance, while another school did not.

Well, Brad Prudhomme, of the school board’s central office, became tired of hearing complaints about what to wear and not wear.

Over a three-week period, he, with the help of a committee, created dress codes for special events such as award night, ring ceremony, athletic banquets or band night.

This past Monday, the education committee adopted the new after-school dress codes. At Thursday's monthly school board meeting, the School Board is expected to adopt the policy.

The school board meeting is open to the public and it begins at 6 p.m.

New dress codes for prom or homecoming dances

Girls

•Dresses may be strapless, however, may not be cut below the bust-line in the front. No excessive cleavage will be permitted.

• An undergarment must be worn with a dress or top.

• Midriff will not be exposed. No mesh or see-through equipment in the midriff section.

• Dresses may not have slit that exceeds mid through (back, front and side).

• Dress shoes and sandals are allowed. No flip flops.

Boys

• Young men are expected to wear formal evening attire that would include a tuxedo, suit with tie or sports coat with slacks and a tie.

•Shirts must be long-sleeved, dress shirt with a collar.

• Top hats, canes and gloves are allowed.

• Dress shoes and athletic shoes are allowed. Flip flops are not.

What is not wanted are:

• Sunglasses, bandannas, sweat bands, baseball caps, t-shirts, jeans, cargo pants, shorts and attire that portrays alcohol, tobacco, gangs, violence, drugs and guns.

New dress code for awards night, ring ceremony, senior night, band and athletic night.

Girls

• Jeans are not permitted.

• Ladies can wear slacks and a blouse, a dress, skirt and a blouse.

• The hemline on skirts and dresses must be shorter than five and half inches above the knee.

• Tops must not be cut below the bust-line in front. No cleavage allowed.

• A bra must be worn with a dress or top.

• Straps must be one and half inches wide on the shoulder.

•Spaghetti straps are not permitted.

• Dresses must be lined or worn with a slip.

Boys

•No jeans

• Shirts must be a dress shirt with a collar.

• Suits, sports coats and ties are optional.

• Athletic shoes are allowed.

What is not wanted are:

• Sunglasses, bandannas, sweat bands, baseball caps, t-shirts, jeans, cargo pants, shorts and attire that portrays alcohol, tobacco, gangs, violence, drugs and guns.

Eighth grade social, awards night and band night

Girls

• Dresses may have sleeves or at least one and half inch strap on shoulder. Spaghetti straps are not permitted.

• Long formal dresses are not permitted

• Jeans are not permitted

• The hemline on dressed must be no shorter than four inches above the knee.

• Tops may not be cut below the bust-line in the front.

• Undergarments must be worn with a dress.

• No see through outfits.

• Flip flops not allowed.

Boys

• Young men are expected to wear a dress shirt with a collar and dress pants or slacks.

• No jeans

• Dress shoes or athletic shoes are allowed.

• Suits, sport coats and ties are optional.

What is not wanted are:

• Sunglasses, bandannas, sweat bands, baseball caps, t-shirts, jeans, cargo pants, shorts and attire that portrays alcohol, tobacco, gangs, violence, drugs and guns.

If a parent is not sure whether or not the outfit is acceptable, turn in a picture of the student wearing the outfit seven days before the event.