Panther Valley School District officials have posted the district's updated dress code for the 2017-18 school year.

The school board reviewed the dress code during its meetings in May and June before passing the new code.

The biggest change is that students can choose what colors they wear. Previously they were limited to school colors. The rest of the dress code policy is virtually unchanged from 2016-17.

The full policy is available at

http://www.boarddocs.com/pa/pant/Board.nsf/goto?open&;id=AM7JZJ4E727D.Policy 221: Dress and GroomingThe school district policy regarding dress and appearance emphasizes cleanliness, safety, health, modest, and encompasses the following…Acceptable/Permitted Bottoms•Casual dress/corduroy pants should be straight-legged or boot cut with a fitted waist.•Shorts and skorts must be finger tip length. (Please note shorts are only permitted at the Elementary and Intermediate School Level).•Pants/Shorts must be sized to fit the student (not too tight or too baggy).•Pants may not drag on the floor.•Capri pants at or below the knee are permitted.•Skirts and jumpers that are finger tip length or longer are permitted. Skirts must fit comfortably and be free of pockets below the hips, loops, straps and other adornments.•Pants and skirts need to be worn at the waistline, which is defined as the top of the hip to the bottom of the ribcage.•Dresses are permitted that meet the dress policy guidelines for tops including collars, button, and sizing. Dresses are permitted that are finger tip length or longer.Unacceptable/Not Permitted Bottoms•Jeans.•Cargo/Carpenter style pants or shorts with pockets below the hips, loops, straps, elastic ankles or other comparable adornments; extra wide, extra long, baggy or sagging pants and shorts; pants with extreme bell bottoms.•Knit pants, yoga pants, leggings or jeggings.•Athletic attire (sweat pants, spandex pants, athletic shorts, stirrup pants, wind pants, nylon pants) may not be worn.•Pants, shorts, with holes, tears, or frays.•Pants, shorts, or skirts worn as to expose undergarments will be in defiance of the dress code.•Skirts may not have any slits that extend more than two (2) inches above the knee.•Leggings may not be worn separately as dress policy bottoms, but may be worn under dress code appropriate skirts, dresses, and jumpers.•No camouflage.•No shorts grades 7-12.Acceptable/Permitted Tops•Shirts may be long or short sleeved; pullover, golf style shirts with a collar, free of words.•Oxford style button down shirts, or blouses with a collar.•Sweaters (vest, cardigans, v-necks, or crew necks) with no hoods and a dress code appropriate shirt underneath.•Crew neck sweatshirts/long sleeve shirts (without pockets or hoods) with dress code policy appropriately shirt underneath.•Turtleneck shirts may be worn either alone or under the regulation shirt.•All tops should be appropriately sized.•Shirts must be worn under jumpers. It is preferred that all shirts be tucked into the pants/shorts. However, any shirt that is not tucked in may not extend more than four inches below the waist. Shirts must be buttoned to the collarbone.•All shirts must have sleeves which cover the shoulders.•Layering of tops is permitted as long as the outermost layer meets all dress code provisions.•PVSD sports jerseys or approved crew neck shirt may be worn on game days or approved days over an approved dress code shirt.Unacceptable/Not Permitted Tops•Hooded sweatshirts are not permitted to be worn in the building during the instructional day.•Tank tops, T-shirts, sleeveless tops, shells, Henley shirts, mesh tops, sheer tops, bare midriff or any garment that exposes the upper torso will not be permitted.•Tops must be worn appropriately and not tied around the waist or shoulders. Shirts may not be see-through, and garments worn under the shirt should not be visible.Acceptable/Permitted Footwear•Footwear must be closed-toe and closed-heel. If footwear is designed to have laces, the laces must be in the footwear and tied.Unacceptable/Not Permitted Footwear•Flip Flops, bedroom slippers, beachwear, and footwear with lights and wheels are prohibited.•Footwear with heals greater than one (1) inch in height is prohibited.Accessories•Belts are permitted.•Neckties and scarves are permitted.•Socks, stockings, tights, and leggings of any color, pattern or design are permitted providing they are worn under appropriate dress code bottoms.•Students are not permitted to wear wallet chains of any length.•Accessories/Jewelry/Piercing may only be worn in the ears; gauges in ears must be plugged.•Accessories/Jewelry in all other pierced areas (lips, nose, brow etc) must be removed prior to entering the building.•Jewelry and belts that could be dangerous, such as dog collars, spiked necklaces, spiked bracelets, spiked belts, or jewelry/belts that contain studs or rivets are prohibited.•Students are not permitted to wear headgear of any type including but not limited to hats, bandanas, sweatbands, hoods, and kerchiefs. Exceptions will be made for barrettes, accessorized headbands, and religious wear.•Sunglasses are not permitted to be worn inside the building unless documentation from a physician is provided.•Suspenders are not permitted.•Accessories deemed to be distractive, disruptive or offensive in nature are prohibited.Physical Education (K-6)•Sneakers are required to be worn on days that students attend physical education.•Sweatpants and a Panther Valley T-shirt may be worn on days that the child is scheduled for gym.•Students in Grade 6 will have the opportunity to change clothes for class. Specific requirements will be given by the teacher.Additional Guidelines•Outerwear clothing, such as jackets, coats, hats, and gloves, must be removed upon entry into the building and stored in a locker or coat area.•¼ zipper sweaters may be worn during the school day. Full zip sweaters, full zip sweatshirts, or hooded sweatshirts may not be worn during the school day.•No students shall wear any apparel or jewelry that contains/portrays words, signs, pictures or any combination thereof, that promotes the illicit use of drugs or alcohol, is profane or vulgar, or is likely to lead to a substantial disruption of school.•On school approved dress-down days, jeans or sweats are permitted along with school appropriate T-shirts. All other aspects of the dress code will be enforced on a dress-down day.New EnrollmentUpon enrollment into the Panther Valley School District, new students will be granted a grace period of one (1) week before being required to conform to the dress code policy. Returning students previously enrolled in PVSD will not receive a grace period.