School Uniforms

Uniform Dress Code

 

Overview

 

Students in the elementary schools of the Diocese of Harrisburg are expected to present a neat and clean appearance. Any dress or apparel that would not reflect the moral teachings of the Catholic Church is forbidden. (Policy #5132.2)

As a Catholic Elementary School at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School,  we seek to present an image of order, respect, and discipline that expresses the interior call of Discipleship.  That call is to follow Jesus Christ, to see His image and likeness in each other, and to treat one another with reverence.  Part of this commitment is the establishment and implementation of a Dress Code that will ensure appearances of modesty, neatness, and excellence.  We hope this will help create and ensure an environment in which students are encouraged to excel and grow in the Supernatural Virtues of faith, hope, and love and the Natural Virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude.  Students should be ever mindful that they are representatives of their Catholic school and faith. Any time a student is representing Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, whether in school or out of school, the student must follow the Dress Code policy.

 

 

OVERALL STANDARDS OF MODESTY AND NEATNESS (Grades Pre-K-8)

 

  • Hair is to be well groomed.
    • Haircuts/Styles/Fads – Hairstyles are to be neat and in good taste. Unusual haircuts and/or hairstyles will not be permitted.  Hair colors may be only those which are genetically possible. No feathers, beads, or hair wraps.
    • Boys’ hair should be trimmed above the ears, the eyebrows, and the shirt collar. Sideburns must end at the earlobes.
    • Boys are expected to be clean-shaven.
    • Girls hair should be off the face – may not hang in the eyes.
  • Girls may wear only light medicated makeup for cover-up of blemishes.
  • No makeup (including mascara and eyeliner, etc.)
  • Only clear polish may be worn on fingernails
  • Jewelry:
    • 1 wristband that is not offensive or disruptive may be worn.
    • 1 religious necklace may be worn.
    • Girls may only wear one (1) pair of small stud or hoop earrings. (No long dangling or large hoop earrings.)
  • Undershirt: Must be white with no lettering or pictures. The undershirt may not extend below the sleeve of the uniform shirt or the bottom of the shirt.
  • Slacks, shorts, skirts, and skorts are to be worn at the waist.
  • Shorts (including lightweight & physical education), skorts, skirts, and jumpers must be within one inch of the top of the knee.
  • Shirts and blouses must be tucked in neatly and completely.
  • Tattoos or body piercings are not allowed.
  • Hats are not worn inside the school.
  • Shoes: Appropriate dress (solid black, brown or dark tan) shoes must be worn. Shoes must have completely closed heels and closed toes, and an arch. Shoes must be below the ankle bone; therefore, no boots. No sneakers, sneaker-like dress shoe, skater shoes, slippers, moccasins or canvas shoes are allowed. Shoelaces must be tied. (Heels may not exceed 2 inches)
  • Sneakers are not to be worn with the regular school uniform. Sneakers may only be worn on physical education class days. Vans and Sketchers are sneakers; hiker boots and wheelies are not permitted.
  • Socks:
    • Girls: Solid navy or white knee-length socks or knit tights (opaque or cable)
    • Boys: Solid white, black or navy blue socks – Two inches above the ankle bone
  • OPTIONAL: Solid navy sweater-vest, v-neck, crewneck cardigan, or quarter-zip fleece pullover with school logo.
    • Sweatshirts will NOT be worn in the classroom unless granted permission by the teacher and/or principal.

For both boys and girls, all school uniforms are to be purchased from Flynn & O’Hara. Lightweight (Summer) Uniform begins the first day of school to 10/31 and from 4/1 to the end of the school year.  Regular (Winter) Uniform is worn from 11/1 to 3/31.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN DRESS CODE

Pre-Kindergarten students will be able to wear comfortable casual play clothes to school.  Shoes need to be appropriate for play, running, and jumping.  On gym days, students will follow our gym attire for dress code. Since accidents and spills do happen, we ask that all Pre-K students bring a complete change of clothes to school in a ziplock bag marked with their name.

 

KINDERGARTEN DRESS CODE

Kindergarten students will be required to wear a modified school uniform.

  • Drop waist jumper with shirt, option of White Peter Pan Collar or White Oxford (Short or Long-sleeve) shirt.  No long pants may be worn under the jumper.
  • Navy or Khaki pants (purchased from Flynn & O’Hara Uniform Co.). Belt is optional.
  • Navy blue, Orange or White polo with school logo may be worn year-round with slacks or shorts only.
  • Socks
    • Girls: Solid navy or white knee-length socks or knit tights (opaque or cable).
    • Boys: Solid white, black or navy blue socks – Two inches above the ankle bone.
  • Comfortable shoes – sneakers permitted for both boys and girls. Shoes must have completely closed heels and closed toes, and an arch. Shoes must be below the ankle bone; therefore, no boots.

 

BOYS’ UNIFORM DRESS CODE
(November 1 – March 31)

GRADES 1 – 3

  • Navy blue or Khaki dress slacks (purchased from Flynn & O’Hara Uniform). Belt is optional.
  • Navy blue, Orange or White polo with school logo may be worn year-round.

GRADES 4 – 8

  • Navy blue or Khaki dress slacks (purchased from Flynn & O’Hara Uniform), worn with a brown, black, or navy belt.
  • Uniform Navy, Orange, or White Polo or long or short sleeve white button-down (oxford) shirt. Shirts/Polos must be tucked in neatly and completely.
  • Optional: Uniform neck tie (purchased from Flynn & O’Hara Uniform Co.). Ties must be pulled up neatly and completely.

 

GIRLS’ UNIFORM DRESS CODE
(November 1 – March 31)

GRADES 1 – 3

  • Drop waist jumper with shirt, option of White Peter Pan Collar or White Oxford (Short or Long-sleeve) shirt.
    • No long pants may be worn under the jumper.
  • Navy blue or Khaki dress slacks (purchased from Flynn & O’Hara Uniform). Belt is optional
  • Navy blue, Orange or White polo with school logo (to be worn with slacks only).

GRADES 4 – 8

  • Choice of plaid wrap-around kilt, navy kilt, or khaki kilt.
  • Long or short sleeve white button-down (oxford) blouse. Shirts must be tucked in neatly and completely. (Second button from the top must be fastened).
  • Navy blue, Orange or White polo with school logo may be worn year-round with skirt and/or pants.
  • Navy blue or khaki girls slacks (worn with a black belt).  (purchased from Flynn & O’Hara).

 

LIGHTWEIGHT UNIFORM – (OPTIONAL)
(Beginning of school through October 31 and April 1 to the end of school)

  • Navy blue, Orange or White polo with school logo may be worn with skirt, shorts, skorts and slacks.
  • Navy blue or khaki shorts or slacks. (Grades 4–8 worn with brown, black, or navy belt).
  • Navy or khaki skort – Girls grades K–3 (To be worn with polo).
  • Solid white, black or navy blue socks (at least one inch above the ankle bone).

NOTE – Socks may have a SMALL logo on them (e.g. Nike swoosh symbol).

 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNIFORM   (Purchased from Weaver’s Screen Printing)
BOYS & GIRLS – Grade K – 8

  • Orange or Gray Saint Teresa of Calcutta T-shirt. (Short or Long-sleeved). (Mandatory Lightweight and Winter)
  • Navy blue Saint Teresa of Calcutta shorts. (Must be within one inch of top of knee). (Mandatory Lightweight & Optional Winter)
    • Shorts option for Grades 4 – 8: Shorts may be worn underneath sweatpants if the student wishes to remove sweatpants during physical education class.
    • Grades K -3: Students will not be permitted to remove sweatpants during physical education class.
  • Navy blue Saint Teresa of Calcutta sweatpants. (Optional Lightweight and Mandatory Winter)
  • Orange or Gray Saint Teresa of Calcutta logo sweatshirt (Optional Lightweight and Winter)      
  • Solid white or black athletic (crew) socks (at least one inch above the ankle bone)  NOTE – Socks may have a SMALL logo on them (e.g. Nike swoosh symbol).
  • Sneakers – All colors are permitted with the physical education uniform.

DRESS DOWN DAYS

Designated dress down days will follow the same expectations in cleanliness and in keeping with Catholic morals that reflect modesty and respect for self and others. Modesty is a part of temperance.  Temperance is a virtue and a virtue is a mark of excellence. Shorts, tank tops/spaghetti straps, leggings, and pajama pants are not permitted. No torn or ripped clothing should be worn. Skirts must touch the top of the knee. Shorts must be a length that when arms are fully extended at one’s sides, the fingertips touch the length of the short.  Students must wear a fully enclosed shoe (no clogs, flip flops, etc.) Crocs are acceptable with strap around the back of the heel. Moccasins are not permitted. Boots are permitted on dress down days only.

When the day is a Crusader Wear or Spirit Wear Day, the school spirit colors -orange, navy blue, and white- or clothing with the school logo should be worn.  Gym uniforms are an acceptable way to show your school spirit. When wearing Crusader wear students may wear the athletic wear sold by athletic association with appropriate jeans or shorts or matching Crusader Wear bottoms of appropriate fit/length according to seasonal dress option.

DRESS-UP DAYS

Designated dress-up days will follow the same expectations in cleanliness and in keeping with Catholic morals that reflect modesty and respect for self and others.  Again, modesty is a part of temperance. Temperance is a virtue and a virtue is a mark of excellence. Therefore, wearing tops that cover the shoulders, skirts and dresses that touch the top of the knee, staying away from excessively tight clothing, and wearing fully enclosed shoes is not only modest but also excellent in God’s eyes.

EIGHTH GRADE PRIVILEGE

It is the belief that our eighth grade students have earned the right to express themselves.  Eighth grade students may wear their choice of socks with their uniform for the entire school year.  With the winter uniform, boys may wear a tie of their choice if they so choose. Girls – Only knee high socks may be worn with skirts.  Please make sure designs do not display inappropriate words, symbols or messages. Choose socks and ties that keep within the standards of reflecting the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. On Mass days, the uniform socks must be worn. 

ENFORCEMENT OF DRESS CODE

At the first violation of the dress code, the student will receive a Uniform Notice which will be sent home for the parent to sign and return to school.  If there is a second violation during the same school year, a recess will be missed with the Uniform Notice.  The third violation will result in an after school detention.  All future violations for that school year will result in an automatic after school detention and referral of the family to the Pastor and/or Principal for resolution of the issue.