Dress Code: Grades K - 8

Students at St. Mary’s proudly wear a uniform. It is a sign of their commitment to the traditions of Catholic education. On special occasions, other types of approved attire may be worn as outlined in this policy. Out of respect for decorum, safety, and rules of conduct all students are expected to follow the dress code policy faithfully. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure their child is dressed appropriately. When a student arrives at school dressed inappropriately, the parent will be called and will be asked to bring appropriate clothing to school so the child can change.

 Clothing will be clean and in good repair. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. When a child stands with arms extended over the head, the shirt should remain tucked in.

Uniforms are available through St. Mary’s School Store and The Dwelling Place, located on College Ave. in Normal (888-9696). Other stores that carry uniform style clothing including: J.C. Penney, Sears, Meijer, and Land’s End . Please carefully read the dress code before making any purchases.

GYM – Physical Education Uniforms are purchased from the St. Mary’s School Store. PE uniforms are worn by all students in 5 th through 8 th grade. This uniform consists of a white T-Shirt with the school logo and navy athletic shorts with the school logo. Te nnis shoes for PE must be appropriate for physical activity and must have non-marking soles.

UNIFORM JUMPERS/SKIRTS/SKORTS - (Plaid #80 only) Girls in grades K-4 wear uniform plaid jumpers, skorts, or skirts. Girls in grades 5-8 wear uniform plaid skirts or skorts. All jumpers, skirts, and skorts are no more than 3” above the top of the knee. Only navy or white bicycle style shorts will be worn under the skirt or jumper. Shorts are not visible below the hem line. All plaid jumpers, skirts and skorts are worn year round.

SLACKS/DRESS PANTS - Boys and girls wear navy cotton, polyester or corduroy uniform styledress slacks. Pockets are traditionally styled. No carpenter style, cargo pockets or zip off legs.

SHORTS/CAPRI PANTS - Boys and girls may wear navy uniform shorts, navy Capri pants or navy skorts during shorts season only. Uniform shorts and skorts are no shorter than three (3) inches above the top of the knee. No cargo pockets. Shorts are permitted from the 1st day of school through September 30 th and May 1st through the last day of school.

POLO SHIRTS - White polo style, short or long sleeve with buttons (no snaps, no ¾ sleeves, and no brand markings). Additional colors will be available through the St. Mary’s School Store. Light Blue polo shirts may be worn for the 2006-2007 school year. They will not be permitted after May 2007.

BLOUSES- White cotton, uniform style blouse with a rounded collar, short or long sleeve (no ¾ length sleeves, no snaps). Light Blue blouses may be worn for the 2006-2007 school year. They will not be permitted after May 2007.

TAILORED SHIRTS - White cotton, uniform style shirts with a button down collar, short or long sleeve. (no ¾ length sleeves, no snaps)Light Blue Shirts may be worn for the 2006-2007 school year. They will not be permitted after May 2007.

SWEATERS - Boys and girls may wear cardigan or pull over sweaters or pull over sweater vests in solid navy or dark green.

TURTLENECKS – Long sleeved, white or navy, worn under jumpers, sweaters or sweatshirts.

SWEATSHIRTS- Only sweatshirts purchased from the St. Mary’s School Store or through St. Mary’s Home & School or Athletics are acceptable. Hooded sweatshirts may be worn; however, the hood will remain down while inside the building.

HAIR – Hair must be neat and clean cut in a well groomed traditional style. Bangs must be above the eye brows. Highlights must be subtle, natural shades. No streaked or colored hair (ex. pink, blue, green, etc.) permitted. Boys: Hair length must be above or to the collar with sideburns no longer than the ear lobe. Girls: Hair accessories should coordinate with the plaid uniform and must not distract the students from their work. (Navy, Yellow, Dark Green, White)

JEWELRY – Religious medals, scapulars and watches without alarms are permitted. Girls may only wear stud earrings. Boys will not wear earrings. No other jewelry is permitted.

SHOES – Shoes must be closed toe with a back. Shoes must be clean and laces tied. Both laces must be the same color. Students may bring a change of shoes to use in Physical Education class. Only white-soled or non-skid tennis shoes will be allowed on the gym floor.

SOCKS - Boys and girls wear plain socks in white, navy, or dark green. Girls may also wear plain or cabled knit tights in white, navy, or dark green.

BELTS - Belts must be worn with slacks and shorts that have belt loops. Belts are braided or plain leather in black, brown, or navy with no design and a plain buckle.

PURSES - Girls in 5 th – 8 th grades are permitted to carry a small purse.

MAKE-UP- Make up is not permitted. Clear nail polish and clear lip gloss or lip balm may be worn. Temporary tattoos are not permitted unless they are part of a school celebration.

HATS- Hats are not to be worn inside the building unless they are part of a school celebration.

CASUAL DAYS- Friday is typically a casual day unless there is a special occasion when the uniform is worn. When Mass falls on a Friday, the regular school uniform is worn.

FIELD TRIPS- When a field trip is indoors, the school uniform will be worn. When a field trip is outdoors, jeans may be worn with a St. Mary’s shirt. Check each field trip permission slip for additional information.

JEANS : On casual days, students may wear plain blue jeans. Any embellishments or decoration are limited to the back pockets and will be modest. No ripped, torn or frayed jeans at any time. No carpenter style or cargo pockets.

These following variations to the dress code apply to students in 7 th & 8 th grade.

All uniform items above may be worn plus:

SHORTS/CAPRI PANTS/SKORTS – Shorts, Capri pants and skorts are allowed from the 1st day of school through September 30 th and May 1st through the last day of school. 7 th & 8 th students may wear navy or khaki uniform shorts. 7 th & 8 th grade girls may also wear navy or khaki Capri pants or skorts. Uniform shorts and skorts are no shorter than three (3) inches above the knee. No cargo pockets on shorts or Capri pants.

SLACKS – 7 th & 8 th grade students may wear navy or khaki cotton, polyester or corduroy uniform styledress slacks. Pockets must be traditionally styled. No cargo pockets. No zip off pants.

MAKE-UP- 7 th & 8 th grade girlsis permittedon specifically designated occasions, such as picture day, but should be minimal and age appropriate.

NAILPOLISH- permitted only in light shades of pink or other modest colors. No bright or dark colors are permitted. Polish will be in good repair.

SPIRIT DAY

• Cargo pockets on pants, jeans or shorts
• Tattered or torn clothing of any kind

• Shirts that do not cover the back or midriff area.

• Tank tops or spaghetti straps.

• Shoes with open toes or without backs

• Skirts, skorts or shorts less than 3” above the knee

All aspects and interpretations of this dress code will be left to the discretion of the principal.