The Blount County Board of Education recognizes the effect that student dress and grooming have on student behavior and learning. Student dress or grooming considered disruptive to health or safety is not appropriate. In keeping with the educational purpose of public education, students are expected to dress and groom themselves as individuals with a sense of responsibility. It is expected that students, while exercising the right to dress and groom themselves in a an individual way will also show through their appearance a high degree of respect for the standards of decency, cleanliness, and style acceptable by the school district. When the student, in the judgment of the principal, is attired in a manner which is likely to cause disruption or to interfere with the operation of the school, the principal shall administer appropriate punishment, which may include suspension. If a student cannot comply with the dress code based on special conditions or religious beliefs, his or her parent or guardian may write a letter explaining the situation to the Director of Schools or his/her designee, with a copy to the principal. Each case will be dealt with on an individual basis. The principal may allow special dress on special occasions such as: field trips, field days, theme days, school spirit days, etc.