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Dress Code

Reginald Chavez student dress code supports equitable educational access and is written in a manner that does not reinforce stereotypes. To ensure effective and equitable enforcement of this dress code, school staff shall enforce the dress code consistently and in a manner that does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income or body type/size.

Our values are:

  • All students should be able to dress comfortably for school and engage in the educational environment without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming.

  • All students and staff should understand that they are responsible for managing their own personal "distractions" without regulating individual students' clothing/self expression.

  • Student dress code enforcement should not result in unnecessary barriers to school attendance.

  • School staff should be trained and able to use student/body-positive language to explain the code and to address code violations.

  • Teachers should focus on teaching without the additional and often uncomfortable burden of dress code enforcement.

  • Reasons for conflict and inconsistent and/or inequitable discipline should be minimized whenever possible.


Dress Code Expectations

Reginald Chavez Elementary School expects that all students will dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day or for any school sponsored event. Student dress choices should respect the Albuquerque Public School District’s intent to sustain a community that is inclusive of a diverse range of identities. The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s). The school district is responsible for seeing that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student, and that dress code enforcement does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, or body type/size. Any restrictions to the way a student dresses must be necessary to support the overall educational goals of the school and must be explained within this dress code.

  1. Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times.

Clothes must be worn in a way such that chest, abdomen, buttocks and genitals are fully covered at all times, while sitting, standing or in physical movements/activities with opaque (not see-through or translucent) fabric that meets the following and is not a “cannot wear”:

  1. Students Must Wear, while following the basic principle of Section 1 above:

  • A Shirt (Top) (with fabric in the front, back, and on the sides under the arms), 
  • Pants/jeans or the equivalent (bottom) (for example, pants, jeans, a skirt, sweatpants, leggings, a dress or shorts), 
  • Closed-toe shoes for physical education classes and recess.

  1. Students Cannot Wear:

  • Violent language or images.
  • Images or language depicting/suggesting drugs, alcohol, vaping or paraphernalia (or any illegal item or activity).
  • Hate speech, profanity, pornography
  • Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups.
  • Any clothing revealing visible undergarments (visible waistbands/straps are allowed)
  • Swimsuits
  • Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon or as a tool to intimidate or represent on behalf of a group.
  • Any item that obscures the face or ears (except as a religious observance or as personal protective equipment (PPE).

  1. Dress Code Enforcement

To ensure effective and equitable academic success, the dress code itself can be used as a teaching and learning opportunity to support body positive self-image and a safe, inclusive and productive school environment and culture.