Humble ISD Student Dress and Grooming Policy

The purpose of the Humble ISD dress code is to create an atmosphere where maximum teaching and learning can occur. It is the position of the school district that there is a positive correlation between student grooming and the learning climate. The district believes that reasonable dress code regulations help to sustain a wholesome learning environment, one that supports the social, emotional and intellectual growth of students, not only while attending Humble ISD, but prepares them for their future endeavors. It is the responsibility of the parents and students to comply with school rules and regulations concerning dress and grooming standards. Any form of dress or grooming that attracts undue attention, is unsafe, disrupts school, is considered gang related, or detracts from the learning process is not acceptable. The administration and faculty shall have the right to appraise any current fashion or fad and determine whether it is appropriate or inappropriate for school wear.

• Any form of dress or grooming that attracts undue attention, disrupts school, is considered gang related, or detracts from the learning process is not acceptable.

• No sleepwear is to be worn at school.

• Mini-dresses and mini-skirts shorter than mid-thigh, spaghetti straps, leotards, and halters as an outer garment are not acceptable school dress.

• Blouses covering tube tops must be buttoned.

• The length of shorts must be between the knee and mid-thigh. No "short shorts" are allowed.

• Fashions with slits above mid-thigh are not acceptable.

• Excessively loose or tight garments are not acceptable. All clothing should be appropriately fitted. Leggings may not be worn as pants. Leggings may be worn underneath a dress, skirt, or shorts that are at least mid-thigh in length.

• All shirts must be worn so as not to expose the bare chest. Tank tops or undershirts are not to be worn as outer garments. The midriff must not be exposed when a student goes through the normal activities of a school day (bending, stretching, reaching, etc.). Garments with inappropriate decorations or advertisements are not acceptable.

• The American flag is not to be worn as an article of clothing. However, a depiction of the American flag on clothing in a respectful manner is acceptable.

• Male students are not allowed to wear shirts without sleeves.

• Sunglasses are not allowed to be worn in the school building.

• Appropriate foundation garments must be worn at all times. Revealing garments are not permitted.

• Jewelry may not be worn in other pierced areas of the body. Male students may not wear earrings; female students may wear earrings only on the ears.

• Shoes are to be worn. Steel-toed shoes, house slippers, cleats and roller or wheeled shoes are not permitted.

• Any garment or accessory that could be used in a threatening or menacing manner is prohibited.

• Visible tattoos are not permitted at any level.

• Exceptions from the Humble Independent School District dress code due to medical reasons must be approved by the grade level principal.

HAIR

• The hair must be neat, clean, and well groomed. Hair style/color must not create disruptions or distraction.

• Extreme hairstyles which include hair that is dyed an unnatural color (blue, green, orange, etc.) will not be permitted. Head sweatbands, hair rollers, or long handled combs may not be worn in the hair.

HEAD COVERING

• No type of head covering, cap, or hat is to be worn inside the school.

SIDEBURNS

• Sideburns must be kept neatly trimmed at all times and must not extend below the ear.

MUSTACHES AND BEARDS

• The wearing of a mustache or beard is not acceptable. Students are expected to shave as often as necessary to maintain good grooming habits.

DRESS

Any form of dress or grooming that attracts undue attention, disrupts school, is considered gang related, or detracts from the learning process is not acceptable.  No sleepwear is to be worn at school. Mini-dresses and mini-skirts shorter than mid-thigh, spaghetti straps, leotards, and halters as an outer garment are not acceptable school dress. Blouses covering tube tops must be buttoned.  The length of shorts must be between the knee and mid-thigh. No "short shorts" are allowed. Fashions with slits above mid-thigh are not acceptable.

Excessively loose or tight garments are not acceptable. All clothing should be appropriately fitted. All shirts must be worn so as not to expose the bare chest. Tank tops or undershirts are not to be worn as outer garments. The midriff must not be exposed when a student goes through the normal activities of a school day (bending, stretching, reaching, etc.). Garments with inappropriate decorations or advertisements are not acceptable. The American flag is not to be worn as an article of clothing. However, a depiction of the American flag on clothing in a respectful manner is acceptable. Male students are not allowed to wear shirts without sleeves. Sunglasses are not allowed to be worn in the school building. Appropriate foundation garments must be worn at all times.

Revealing garments are not permitted. Jewelry may not be worn in other pierced areas of the body. Male students may not wear earrings; female students may wear earrings only on the ears. Shoes are to be worn. Steel-toed shoes, house slippers, cleats and roller or wheeled shoes are not permitted. Additionally, at the elementary level, heels above ½ inch and flip-flops are not permitted. Any garment or accessory that could be used in a threatening or menacing manner is prohibited. Make-up is not permitted at the elementary level. Visible tattoos are not permitted at any level. Exceptions from the Humble Independent School District dress code due to medical reasons must be approved by the grade level principal.

 Sterling Middle School would like to clarify some statements written in the Humble ISD Dress Code policy.

“All shirts must be worn so as not to expose the bare chest.” and “Revealing garments are not permitted.” Popular young ladies fashions today, such as scooped-neck and plunging v-neck, expose more bare chest than is appropriate or allowed. Our students need to take a quick check in the mirror to make certain they are covered appropriately. Cleavage should not be visible, nor should the tops of girls’ breasts be exposed.

“Excessively loose or tight garments are not acceptable. All clothing should be appropriately fitted.” A fashion that is popular among some young men is sagging/baggy pants. This type of trouser attire must be appropriately fitted at the waist or fitted with a belt so that the pants are secure at the waist. At no time should a young man’s underwear be exposed or visible.

Parents, please assist the school is monitoring your child’s dress each morning. Do not send your child to school if the clothing is questionable. Please contact your child’s administrator with any questions.

• What is SMS's mission statement?

  Together, we develop students to be critical thinkers and life-long learners who embrace diversity.

• Is tutoring available? Yes. Tutoring is provided in all four core subject areas Monday-Thursday from 4:00 PM - 4:55 PM. Bus Transportation is also provided.

  • Science Tutorials: Mondays

  • Reading Language Arts: Tuesdays

  • Social Studies: Wednesdays

  • Math: Thursdays

  • Elective Tutorials are available upon request.

• What happens if a student is tardy?

  Students who are tardy to class will receive a lunch detention for the following day.  

• When is the official attendance time at SMS?

  The Official Attendance Time for Ross Sterling Middle School is 9:55 am.

• Are cell phones/ipods/personal planners allowed on campus?

  No, electronic devices are not allowed on campus.

• Where is the lost and found?

  The Lost and Found is located inside the front entrance of the school.

Students arriving late to class are considered a disruption to the learning environment of the classroom. Students are expected to be inside the classroom when the tardy bell rings. Students are allowed four minutes to transition from one class to another. Students not inside the classroom when the tardy bell rings will be recorded as “tardy” in the attendance program by the teacher. Students counted as “tardy” will show up on the grade level tardy report printed the next day.

Students on the tardy report will be assigned a lunch detention for each tardy.

Tardy numbers 1-4 will receive a lunch detention only.

Beginning on the 5th tardy, and every tardy thereafter until the end of the semester, students will be considered in violation of the excessive tardy policy. Excessive tardies will be assigned additional discipline consequences. Tardy numbers 5 and 6 can be assigned an afternoon detention. Tardy numbers 7 and 8 can be assigned a Friday Detention.

Beginning with tardy number 9, grade level principals will begin assigning Saturday Classes and/or a combination of afternoon and Friday detentions.

Beginning with tardy number 12, grade level principals can begin to assign students to the Discipline Support Program.

The goal of our tardy policy is to make certain we maintain a structured and safe environment for students. In addition, we want to ensure we are providing the best possible learning environment for all our students.

SMS Late Work Policy

Work is due on the due date stated by the teacher. Work turned in after the due date is late.  The highest grade on a late assignment is:

One Day Late:  90%
Two Days Late: 80%
Three Days Late: 70%