School Information

The dress code is designed to allow for student comfort while maintaining an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the educational setting. The administration and staff at SMMHS recognize that a correlation exists between good grooming, personal attire, and achievement. Apparel and/or appearance should promote student learning and should not be disruptive to the learning environment. An important goal of a dress code is to teach young people that in the larger arena of life, different types of dress are appropriate for different settings. Apparel that is appropriate for social settings may not be appropriate for school. We ask that parents guide students in the selection of school clothing, keeping in mind that all school clothing should be selected to adhere to the following dress code and should not be disruptive to the learning environment.

IN TERMS OF DECISIONS REGARDING SCHOOL DRESS, THE PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT OF TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WILL PREVAIL.

1. Clothing that reveals the navel is unacceptable. This includes tops that are short and pants/skirts that are low cut. Shirts should extend below the top of the pants when standing or seated.

2. Strapless shirts, backless tops, halters, tank tops, see thru material and low-cut shirts are not appropriate for school. Top apparel must be modest and no cleavage of bare midriff should be revealed. All tops must have shoulders and sleeves.

3. No underwear is to be visible. No jeans, pants, shorts, or tops are to be worn that reveal undergarments while standing or sitting.

4. Skirts, shorts, and dresses must be at least knee length. Students should be able to sit, stand, and walk without revealing underwear above or below the garment. Dress tops must comply with the requirements of appropriate shirt and tops guidelines.

5. T-shirts must be in good taste. Shirts may not depict suggestive wording, pictures, graphics, or advertisements for alcoholic beverages, tobacco, drugs, sex, or gangs. Students will not be allowed to turn shirts inside out.

6. Shoes or other appropriate footwear are to be worn at all times. No house shoes or slippers.

7. Pants must have a zipper, must fit appropriately (no sagging or extremely tight pants) and may not be ripped or have holes, or patches. Pajama pants, tights or yoga pants are not permitted. Sweatpants are allowed BUT must have an official SMMHS logo or must be part of anofficial SMMHS school team attire.

8. Clothing that is intended for use in PE classes or for athletic practices are not to be worn as school attire, this includes basketball or soccer type shorts, tank tops, and spandex items.

9. Coats are not to be worn during school, and must be placed in a locker upon entering the school building. Fleece, sweatshirts, and pullovers may be worn during school.

10. Hats, “do-rags”, and sunglasses are not to be worn in the building from the time the building opens until dismissal. These items must be kept in lockers during the school day, and if seen with student during the day they are subject to confiscation.

11. Any inappropriate piercing will be dealt with at the discretion of the administration.

Our Mission 

Our mission as school counselors is to serve as advocates for all students. Our goal is to support and encourage students to reach their academic, personal, social, and emotional potential. The foundation of our program is driven by data, the TN State Counseling Standards, and collaboration with stakeholders to be proactive and preventative in an effort to meet the needs of all students. We work to create a safe and positive environment that supports students in gaining the skills and knowledge needed to become balanced lifelong learners.

Our Vision

We envision all Signal Mountain Middle High School students graduating with a strong foundation of personal worth and character, academic confidence, a growth mindset to meet their future career and college goals, and the resiliency to navigate obstacles as respectful and compassionate global citizens.

Our Beliefs

We believe the following to be true:

• all students should be respected regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs.
• all students are unique and dynamic individuals, capable of learning and becoming responsible and productive adults.
• all students should have the opportunity to learn from mistakes and successes to better understand and develop resiliency.
• all students should take developmentally appropriate ownership of their learning and practice self-advocacy.
• the school counselor’s role is to provide a data driven, developmental counseling program to meet the needs of ALL students.

• School Social Worker- JEREMY BELK
• School Support Coach- CANDACE RYAN

For any safety or driving concerns regarding First Student buses (buses numbered 200 and above), please contact 423-498-5555 or visit www.firstfeedback.com

Buses are expected to arrive within 10 minutes of their scheduled time. Please have students at their stops and ready to board the bus 10 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time. The bus schedule can not allow more time to wait for tardy students or for students to exit personal vehicles. For more information, please see the rules of conduct in the Transportation Policy Manual

Hamilton County Schools transports more than 20,000 students to and from school each day. There are 251 daily bus routes covering 23,000 miles each day and 4.0 million miles annually. Our mission is to provide safe and efficient transportation to and from school daily.