Sunnyvale School Board Policy 

The Governing Board believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to wear clothing that is suitable for the school activities in which they participate. Students shall not wear clothing that presents a health or safety hazard or is likely to cause a substantial disruption to the educational program. (cf. 4119.22/4219.22/4319.22 - Dress and Grooming)

Students shall not be prohibited from dressing in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression or with their religious or cultural observance. (cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment) (cf. 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment)

The dress code shall not be enforced in a manner that discriminates against a particular viewpoint or results in a disproportionate application of the dress code based on students' gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, household income, or body type or size. (cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities) (cf. 0415 - Equity) (cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression)

Dress Code 

Columbia Middle School expects that all students will dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day or any Columbia event. Student dress choices should respect the District’s intent to sustain a community 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, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, or body type/size

Allowable Dress & Grooming

• Students must wear clothing including both a shirt with pants, skirt or the equivalent and shoes
• Shirts, tops, and dresses with no fabric in the front and on the sides (students should not wear clothing that reveals their stomach, full back, or full thigh).
• Clothing must cover undergarments, waistbands, and bra straps excluded
• The fabric covering all private parts cannot be see-through
• Hats and hoods may be worn outside and should not obscure the visibility of a student's face and ears. 
• Specialized courses may require specific attire (e.g. sports uniforms or safety gear)

Non-Allowable Dress & Grooming

• Clothing may not depict, advertise, or advocate the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and/or other controlled substances
• Clothing may not depict pornography, nudity, lewd, or sexual acts
• Clothing may not use or depict hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, and/or any other protected groups
• Clothing must not threaten the health or safety of any other student or staff
• If the student’s attire or grooming threatens the health or safety of any other person, the consequences align with our progressive discipline policies here at CMS 

1. Students may not use personal electronic devices during the school day unless permitted to use for educational purposes by their teacher.  These devices should be turned off while on campus.  Students may use cell phones before or after school.
2. Students who violate this policy will have their electronics confiscated and returned to them at the end of the day. Repeat violations will result in further consequences, including parent contact.
3. Students who bring electronic devices to school do so at their own risk. The school and/or district is not responsible for lost or stolen electronics, even if the item is stolen/lost after being confiscated
4. Any student who refuses to give his/her electronics to a staff member will be referred to an administrator for defiance.

In the event that a student must get in contact with a parent or guardian, he/she should ask the teacher to use the classroom phone or go to the main office to make the call rather than using his/her cell phone.

Bicycles/Scooters/Skateboards

1. Bicycles must be secured at designated areas before school (bicycles need to be locked at the bike racks)

3. Students who violate this policy will have their bike/scooter/skateboard confiscated and returned to them at the end of the day. Repeat violations will result in further consequences, including parent contact.

4. Students who bring bicycles/skateboards/scooters to school do so at their own risk. The school and/or district are not responsible for lost or stolen electronics, even if confiscated.

Policy on Requesting a Class Change Due to Parent Concerns

At CMS, we prioritize open communication and collaborative problem-solving to ensure students have a positive and productive learning experience. When a parent has concerns regarding their child's classroom experience, the following process will be followed to address the issue before considering a change of class:

1. Parent-Teacher Meeting 

The parent must schedule a meeting with the teacher to discuss their concerns. This conversation allows the teacher to gain a clear understanding of the issues and to develop a plan to address them collaboratively.

2. Time for Resolution (2-3 Weeks) 

  After the initial meeting, the teacher will have 2 to 3 weeks to implement appropriate measures to address the concerns raised. During this time, the parent and the teacher should remain in communication to monitor progress.

3. Review of Concerns

 At the end of the 2–3 week period, a follow-up discussion between the parent and the teacher will occur to evaluate the effectiveness of the steps taken. If the concerns have been successfully addressed, the student will remain in the class.

4. Consideration of Class Change

 If the concerns remain unresolved after the follow-up meeting, the parent may request a formal review by the administration. At this point, a class change will be considered on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that the student's best interests and the learning environment are prioritized.

This process ensures a fair opportunity for resolution before a class change is made, supporting both the student and teacher in addressing any concerns constructively.