Skip to content
There is a strong connection between academic performance, students' appearance and students' conduct.

Inappropriate student appearance may cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors to the school. Students are expected to adhere to reasonable levels of cleanliness and modesty. Students are expected to wear clothing that is appropriate to their age level and that does not disrupt the school or educational environment. In the interest of health and safety shoes must be worn at all times.

Students are prohibited from wearing clothing advertising or promoting items illegal for use by minors including, but not limited to, alcohol or tobacco, from wearing shoes with cleats except for outdoor athletic practices; and from wearing clothing displaying obscenity, profanity, vulgarity, racial or sexual remarks, making reference to prohibited conduct or similar displays. Healies will not be allowed in school. To ensure propriety and good taste in conduct and appearance, students whose dress or appearance is inappropriate will be asked to make immediate corrections if they are to remain in school. Students who are asked to change their clothing and refuse to comply will be offered an appropriate top or bottom or asked to call a parent/guardian to bring appropriate clothing. Any time missed from class due to inappropriate dress will result in an unexcused absence, with time being made up in detention. Please see our attendance policy for more information about unexcused absences.

Appropriate clothing for physical education will include gym shoes, sweat socks, shorts, and an appropriate T-shirt.

These guidelines are intended to help students dress in a way considered appropriate for school attire and yet provide comfort from excessive heat.

  1. Articles considered inappropriate include sleeveless tops, tube tops, halter tops, strapless and spaghetti or string tops; also t-shirts or other tops that have been altered or torn with the specific intent to expose more than the approved tops, i.e. sleeves torn off and arm holes widened so they open below the mid point of the ribcage.
  2. Shorts/Skirts/or other lower body clothing should have a 4 inch inseam. Shorts will require a 4 inch inseam. Skirt length cannot be shorter than 4 inches from the back of the knee. Any skirt shorter than this, will be permitted IF leggings, that do not expose skin, are worn underneath. At the elementary level, length of shorts/skirts will be measured at finger tip length. Shorts, skirts and pants should have a standard belt or waistline (in other words "hip huggers" or other very low cut waistlines that create the bare mid drift would be considered inappropriate). Pants or shorts that have holes or are worn in a manner that expose skin or undergarments are inappropriate for school use. Pants with holes above the 4 inch inseam area are not permitted. Holes over 4 inches or that expose undergarments will not be permitted.
  3. Clothing combinations will adequately cover the stomach and lower back.
  4. Gang affiliated attire will be prohibited.
  5. All staff will monitor and enforce this policy.
My real endorsement of Cardinal Schools and its faculty and staff can be seen each morning when I hand them the one irreplaceable and most valuable thing in my life: my kids. No letter I write could be a greater endorsement than that simple act. I give them my kids, and I do it with a huge smile on my face because I trust them to do what they are most outstanding at: building our future.
Kevin S. Maggio · Cardinal Parent
Cardinal School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age (for employment), socioeconomic status (for programs), religion, disability, creed, national origin, marital status (for programs), sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity in its educational programs and employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or grievance related to this policy, please contact the district’s equity coordinator, Cindy Green.

The Cardinal Community School District offers career and technical  programs in the following service areas:
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Health Science
Human Services
Business, Finance, Marketing, and Management

Cindy Green - cindy.green@cardinalcomet.com
Middle School Principal/Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Equity Coordinator
4045 Ashland Rd.
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531

Website Accessibility Statement | Annual Notices to the Public | Library Compliance Information