STUDENT DRESS AND UNIFORM CODE
School Year 2008-2009

General Guidelines | School Uniform for Boys & Girls | P.E. Uniform |
Special Guidelines | Free Dress Requirements

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Students attending St. Edward Catholic School are expected to observe good grooming habits and to dress appropriately for each school day. Students enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Eight are to wear the adopted school uniform. Uniforms are worn correctly from the first day of school until the last day of school. Uniforms are to be complete, clean and neat in appearance, of proper size, and purchased from Parker Uniform Company. The navy St. Edward P.E. shorts must be worn under the jumpers and skirts. P.E. uniforms are available through the school only.

**Tennis shoes and FULL crew socks that cover the ankle bone entirely are to be worn daily.

Students should arrive at school properly dressed (in compliance with the uniform policy) for the day and remain properly dressed for the entire school day. Our goal is that the students be neat in appearance and reflect pride in themselves and in the school. Final judgments about what constitutes acceptable or unacceptable dress lies with the teacher or the school administration.

Uniforms must be in good repair (no rips, tears or holes) and fit properly. Students coming to school out of uniform or inappropriately dressed for the day will call their parents to bring the appropriate garments. If the parents cannot be reached, an attempt to provide the student with the appropriate garments will be made through the clinic. If the proper uniform items must be borrowed from the clinic, a rental fee may be charged to the parents. Non-compliance will be reflected in a Conduct Demerit.

• Shirts must be tucked in and remain tucked in
• Shoes must be properly secured (tied, buckled, etc.)
• Waistbands and shirtsleeves may not be rolled
• Waistband must be visible

Scouting uniforms may be worn on meeting days provided that scouting uniform is worn in its entirety. Daisy aprons are to be worn over the school uniform.

Periodic uniform inspections will take place.

STUDENT NAMES ARE TO BE WRITTEN INDELIBLY IN ALL UNIFORM ITEMS AND OUTER GARMENTS WORN TO SCHOOL.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

The school uniform is purchased from the Parker Uniform Company; P.E. uniforms are purchased through the school office.

The adopted uniform for St. Edward students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight is as follows:

BOYS PK-4 Red Plaid Shirt Red Polo Shirt with School Logo Navy Walking Shorts/Slacks 5-8 Navy Blue and/or white Polo Shirt Khaki Slacks or Khaki Walking Shorts Plain white undershirts only PK-8 Navy Cardigan Sweater with School Emblem Navy Sweat Shirt with St. Edward Logo Navy or Black Belt Solid white full crew socks Predominantly white, black, gray, or navy (or a combination of these colors) tennis shoes with the same color laces. No "lights and/or music" will be permitted on shoes. Shoe laces need to be tied. Shirts are worn inside shorts/pants so belt/waistband is visible. Shirts must have all buttons closed with the exception of the top button.

GIRLS PK-4 Tulane (round collar) White Blouse (long/short sleeve) Red Plaid Jumper White Button Middy Blouse with Tie worn with Red/Navy Plaid Walking Shorts White Button Middy Blouse with Tie worn with Navy Pleated Slacks 5-8 Navy and White Polo Shirt with School Logo Khaki Slacks Navy and Khaki Skirt PK-8 Navy Cardigan Sweater with School Emblem Navy Sweat Shirt with St. Edward Logo Navy or Black Belt Solid white full crew socks Navy Tights (during cold weather) Predominately white, black, gray, or navy (or a combination of these colors) tennis shoes with the same color laces. No "lights and/or music" are permitted on shoes. Shoe laces need to be tied. Navy Pullover Sweater with School Emblem White or Navy Tights (during cold weather) Hair Bows- School plaid bows or small-sized solid navy, white, or red bows. Blouses are worn inside skirts/shorts/slacks so that belt/waistband is visible. Shirts must have all buttons closed with the exception of the top button. The navy St. Edward P.E. shorts/modesty shorts must be worn under the jumpers and skirts. P.E. uniforms are available through the school only.

Teachers will enforce all uniform rules - even on free dress days. The parents will be notified of any violation of the dress code and asked to pick up their student to rectify the situation.

BOTH SCHOOL UNIFORM AND P.E. UNIFORM NEED TO WASHED AND CLEANED AT LEAST WEEKLY

P.E. UNIFORM

Grades 4 through 8 will dress for P.E. classes. The St. Edward Catholic School white T-shirt, navy
shorts, and tennis shoes are required. If T-shirt is worn under day shirt, T-shirts should not hang below sleeves. Last name of student is to be printed in 2-inch block letters on front of T-shirt with permanent marker.

Kindergarten and Grades 1 - 3 will not dress for P.E. classes; tennis shoes are required.

P.E. UNIFORMS ARE MANDATORY AND WILL BE CHECKED DAILY BY P.E. PERSONNEL. DEDUCTIONS WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE DAILY P.E. GRADE FOR NON-COMPLIANCE.

SPECIAL GUIDELINES

Skirt Length: Jumpers, skirts, and shorts are to be NO shorter than 3 inches above the knee in the front and back. (measurement is taken while kneeling)

Use of Nail Polish: No nail polish or false nails will be permitted.

Use of Make-Up: No make-up will be permitted.

Hair:

• Must be its own natural color.
• No coloring or highlighting is permitted for boys or girls.
• Must be combed, clean, and neat in appearance.
• Boys must have a traditional cut above the collar, upper ear, and eyebrows.
  

Jewelry:

• One silver or gold stud or loop earring per ear may be worn by girls on the bottom only of the lobe and may not be larger than a nickel in circumference. No dangles or rhinestones/beads. (Earrings are not permitted for boys)
• One traditional religious necklace may be worn inside the shirt. It must not show. No choker, beaded, or shell necklaces allowed.
• NO rings permitted.
• One watch may be worn but all sound features must be turned off.
• No bracelets allowed.

NO FOOTIES OR ANKLE SOCKS ALLOWED. NO MARY JANES. NO VANS, HIGHTOPS, CONVERSE OF ANY COLOR ALLOWED. SHOES MUST BE AN ATHLETIC SHOE WITH ARCH SUPPORT AND NO-SKID SOLES

DRESS CODE FOR FREE DRESS DAYS AND/OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Dress code for special circumstance days will be strictly enforced. Parents are expected to know, understand and enforce these guidelines before the student leaves the home. Failure of a parent to enforce the requirements puts the school in a difficult position and parents will be required to pick up the student and return them in compliance to complete the school day.

FREE DRESS REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS

These requirements are decided by St. Edward Catholic School, and will be enforced for all students.

• Shoe's and socks or hosiery must be worn at all times.
• Appropriate undergarments are expected and will be covered from view at all times. White or tan bras are expected - not colored.
• No flip flops, thongs, or beachwear sandals allowed at any time.
• Jeans cannot be frayed, tattered, tight, spot-faded, low-rise or baggy. All jeans with belt loops will be worn with a belt, and the shirt will be tucked in.
• If a student chooses to wear shorts, only uniform shorts are allowed.
• Any shirt or blouse which exposes the mid-drift or lower back with the arms above the head or while sitting is not allowed. This includes but is not limited to spaghetti strap tops, tank tops, t-shirts with inappropriate slogans/pictures or implied meaning, low-cut or baby-doll blouses designed to expose a young woman's cleavage, camisoles, halter tops, leggings, low-rise skirts or miniskirts. Jackets or sweaters designed to disguise the wearing of these tops are not allowed.
• Pants or skirts with belt loops must be worn with a belt and the shirt or blouse must be tucked in.
• Skirts/dresses/shorts must not be low rise nor be shorter than three inches above the knee when kneeling. Clothing must be conservative and chaste, decent and in good taste.
• All blouses/shirts must cover the shoulders, having a strap a minimum of two inches wide.
• Purses are not allowed, however, young ladies may have a personal hygiene bag kept in their locker.

DANCES AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Clothing for dances must be conservative and chaste, decent and in good taste. We understand this is counter cultural and may sometimes be a difficult choice. All requirements listed above for free dress will be enforced. This dress requirement is for all dances held on school property whether school sponsored or sponsored by the religious education department. Special occasions will be covered by the same dress requirements.

St. Edward Catholic School strives to enact the school's Mission Statement in all of its activities, before and after school. Pursuant to this goal, we have dress guidelines for school dances and special occasions. Shoes must be worn. The following dress is unacceptable at school functions and will result in the student being sent home:

• Halter tops on shirts and dresses
• Spaghetti straps - straps must be at least TWO inches wide
• Inappropriate skirt or short length
• Visible undergarments
• Bare midriffs
• Strapless tops and dresses
• Articles of clothing may neither be too tight or suggestive, nor excessively bagg or loose fitting.

Requirements for all school dances:

• A parent/guardian must walk the student into the dance and sign him/her in
• A parent/guardian must walk into the dance to pick the student up & sign him/her out

GRADUATION/MARY CELEBRATION/CHURCH ATTIRE

These requirements are decided by St. Edward Catholic School, and will be enforced for all students. Students and/or families not wishing to comply are expected not to participate. Students reporting for these religious celebrations inappropriately dressed will be asked to change in order to participate. Failure to dress appropriately as deemed by St. Edward Catholic School requirement will be grounds for removal.

Requirements for 8th grade graduation:

Boys - dark suit or blazer, khaki/dark slacks, tie and dress shoes

Girls - Sunday/church dress in compliance with the above regulations. Shoulders must be covered during mass.

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO KNOW AND OBEY THE RULES. PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE STUDENTS COMPLY WITH THIS DRESS CODE. THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS. PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOURSELF OR YOUR CHILD IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION.

PLEASE NOTE:

Students in 4th through 8th grade will be allowed to bring rolling backpacks only if they are no larger than a standard-sized backpack. They can be a safety hazard in the primary grades and storage space is limited. Please keep this in mind when purchasing a backpack.

Students are NOT allowed to bring purses to school.

All polo and oxford uniform shirts must be purchased from Parker with the embroidery of the school name and/or emblem.

During the 2008-2009 school year, the school logo will change.

Toys, trading cards, card games, electronic games, walkmans, i-pods, portable stereos, pager, palm pilots or similar distractions may not be brought to school. In-line skates, skateboards, roller skates, and heelys are banned at all times on school property, unless included as part of the school curriculum.
An exception is made for cell phones. Refer to "Cell Phones" section for details.

The school is NOT responsible for lost or stolen items.