Behavior Expectations
*Choice Card Explained*
Please note Middle School has a common Snack Time. Due to some days having Electives beginning at 9:30am, Middle School Snack Time is at 9:15. This puts Snack at the end of the first class of the day. (It is not possible to eat in Electives due to the settings and equipment. It was decided that Snack remain at the same time each day for consistency's sake). Students are not permitted to eat a snack outside of this time and and encouraged to eat balanced, nutritious lunches to fortify them until the end of the day.
The Middle School Choice Card is a school-wide behavior management tool. There are some minor differences per level, tailoring the program to the age group, but the majority of the program is consistent across the school and emphasis behavior expectations from K through 8! Please refer to the Parent-Student Handbook for the full details. The selection below does remove any reference to Primary or Intermediate.
The Choice Code, is in response to a school wide approach to good choices reflected in the above behavior expectations. Poor choices will include marks for Level 1 behavior infractions, lack of preparation for class, and continued disregard for dress code. By having all these items condensed in one form, it will be easier for teachers, students, and parents to work together to change behaviors.
Through the Choice Card, positive actions will also be recognized and valued through our school theme of Virtues are the Gateway to JOY at SGM. As teachers see the students exemplifying the various virtues, teachers will mark the student’s cards for their virtue. After the fifth mark, the student will receive a Dress Down pass that they can use on an agreeable date.
If a student makes a poor choice, the teacher will initial and date the student’s Choice Card and will mark down the infraction that occurred. For Grades 6-8, parents will be notified of the marks at the 5th mark of the card.
Uniform choices are marked only one time each day for the poor choices.
Example being: no belt, wrong color socks, unacceptable headwear. would only receive one mark for that day.
Please note: continuous disregard for uniforms such as, untucked shirts and rolled skirts may be marked for each occurrence.
Upon a student receiving the 5th mark:
The student will be sent to the office to receive a detention notice that will require a signature by the parent and returned to school. A new card in a new color (but same amount of marks allowed) is issued: Green to Orange, Orange to Red, and if a Red is filled student stays on Red until the end of the Quarter.
Detentions are held on Wednesday from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
During detention, students will complete a reflection sheet based on their grade level. Once completed, the students can complete their homework (one paper - no devices allowed, including Chromebooks), read, or sit quietly.
Excuses from detention will be at the discretion of the administration.
Each detention in Middle School may warrant a parent conference.
After three detentions in a quarter there will be a conference, which will include administration, the student, and the parent for students. For students in grades 6-8, they will receive an In School Suspension.
Each quarter begins a new card with the appropriate quarter marked.
*** If a student loses a Choice Card, they must proactively come to the main office for a replacement. The amount of choice marks on the lost card will be added to the new card. If an student in grades 6-8 cannot produce their Choice Card upon request of a teacher, the student will have until the end of the day to produce their card.
Dress Policy: From the 2018-2019 Handbook: The Middle School Highlights
Students are required to comply with the dress and appearance guidelines established by the school. It is the parents’ responsibility to see that these guidelines are adhered to. The school reserves the right to determine whether a student’s dress and appearance satisfies the school’s requirements. The uniform provider for SGM is Just Me Apparel, 232 Old Sulphur Springs Rd. 63021. Plaid items and cardigan sweaters must be purchased at our provider.
A student’s general appearance should reflect the basic philosophy of the school and the established educational climate. Any adjustment or adornment to a student’s basic appearance that is faddish in nature, draws inappropriate attention, or is counter to the desired tone of the building is not allowed. Tattoos or writing on the skin is not allowed.
Regular daily attire consists of a school uniform. Uniforms are to be neat, clean, and in good repair. No stains, loose hems, holes in any uniform pieces. Hats or caps are not to be worn in the building throughout the school day on regular uniform days.
The shorts option may be worn anytime throughout the school year. It is up to the parents’ discretion to determine if the weather warrants this option.
High school logo apparel will be allowed on specific days after letters of acceptance for 8th grade only. The principal will grant these days. Any logoed item must be removed before school begins.
There are a number of options for the St. Gerard Majella uniform. It is expected that all students be in uniform unless it has been designated a “D3” Dress Down Day, birthday observance, etc. The following describes the uniform policy at the Middle School level:
Regular Uniform Guidelines—Girls
Grades 6-8—kilt or skort, navy blue twill pants, plaid or navy shorts
● **kilt or skort should be not more than “4” inches above the knee.
● Belts should be worn with pants and shorts that have belt loops
Shirts—basic golf polo-style long or short sleeve solid white or hunter green knit shirts, white or hunter green turtleneck. No stretch knit, no cap sleeves or ruffled collars. No logos on the shirts. Shirts are to be tucked in at all times and only white tees under uniform shirt is to be worn.
6-8 shirts—long or short sleeve white, hunter green, navy or gray, white, hunter green, navy, or gray turtleneck
8th grade polo shirts may be monogrammed with their graduation year. 8th grade also has a class T-shirt and or hooded sweatshirt. The T-shirt may be worn with regular uniform kilt and pants on designated days of the week.
Shoes—athletic tennis shoes in any color are acceptable. Athletic sandals, boots, sling backs, clog types, sequence or flashing lights on tennis shoes are not permitted. A basic black, brown, navy leather dress shoe may also be worn.
Socks/Legwear—All socks must be black or white, small logo or SGM logo socks. Acceptable styles are ankle, crew, knee, and no show socks.
● Solid navy /black leggings or tights may be worn with socks. Pajama bottoms, sweatpants, yoga pants are not acceptable. Shorts may be worn under the uniform, but must not hang out from under the uniform.
Sweatshirts/quarter zip/cardigan sweaters—a hunter green SGM monogrammed sweatshirt purchased through school, a monogrammed navy blue quarter zip purchased through school, or cardigan sweater through Just Me Apparel.
Hair Adornments—bows, scrunches, and barrettes should be small and simple in style and coordinate with the basic uniform. This will include the colors of the plaid uniform, not red, pink, purple, etc.
Headbands should be plain, monogrammed, or SGM. (No athletic logos)
Athletic tape, beaded or sequined headbands, bandanas, tiaras, animal ears, or gaudy hair accessories are not allowed.
Hair must be neat, combed and not hanging in the eyes
Hair should not be dyed
Jewelry—earrings must be post style and not hang below the ear for safety reasons.
A watch, simple ring, and religious chains are acceptable.
Smart Watches are not part of the uniform and should not be worn at school. These should be reserved to wear at home because they are considered electronic devices. Fitbits may be worn for health reasons/no texting capabilities.
Necklaces, bracelets, or ankle bracelets are not allowed.
Makeup—no makeup is allowed. This includes lipstick, blush, mascara, etc. at any age level.
● 6-8 may wear any color, all nails should be the same color/nails should be kept at reasonable length
Regular Uniform Guidelines—Boys
Middle School 6-8-- khaki shorts/pants (cargo style pants/shorts or oversized pants are not allowed)
● Grade 8 should have a pair of long pants for special religious activities during the year (i.e. region Mass with Archbishop, Chrism Mass, Cathedral field trip)
● Belts must be worn with pants or shorts that have belt loops.
● Buckles simple in design.
Shirts-- basic golf polo-style long or short sleeve solid white or hunter green knit shirts, white or hunter green turtleneck No logos on the shirts. Shirts are to be tucked in at all times and only white tees under uniform shirt is to be worn.
● 6-8 shirts—long or short sleeve white, hunter green, navy or gray, white, hunter green, navy, or gray turtleneck
8th grade polo shirts are monogrammed with their graduation year. 8th grade also has a class T-shirt and or hooded sweatshirt. The T-shirt may be worn with regular on designated days of the week.
Shoes—athletic tennis shoes in any color are acceptable. Athletic sandals, boots, sling backs, clog types, or flashing lights on tennis shoes are not permitted. A basic black, brown, navy leather dress shoe may also be worn.
Socks/Legwear—All socks must be black or white, small logo or SGM logo socks. Acceptable styles are ankle, crew, knee, and no show socks.
Sweatshirts/monogrammed navy blue quarter zip, a hunter green SGM monogrammed sweatshirt purchased through school—this does not include SGM sports example “St. Gerard Basketball”
Jewelry—a watch, simple ring, or simple religious medal/chain are acceptable.
● No Smart Watches or Fitbits are part of the uniform and should not be worn at school. These should be reserved to wear at home because they are considered electronic devices. Fitbits may be worn for healthy reasons/no texting capabilities.
Hair—hair must be neat, combed, and not hang in the eyes.
● Length of hair should not extend below the shirt collar
PE Uniform Guidelines—Boys/Girls
The SGM logo PE uniform of gray shirts and navy blue shorts is required and is available through school. Check size and fit of PE shirts and shorts each year making allowances for growth spurts. Names should be included on shirts and shorts.
● Grades 6-8—athletic shoes, SGM PE gray shirt, navy blue PE shorts/navy sweatpants
D3Day Guidelines for students of all grade levels
● D3 Days require basic uniform and optional accessories depending on occasion (i.e. Big Red Day—uniform plus accessories.
● Out of Uniform will be no uniform required but must be appropriately dressed.
● Birthday dress down days should be appropriate for school.
Tops/Shirts
● Sleeveless tops and short sleeves are acceptable
o Nothing with inappropriate alcohol or drug related words or connotations
o Spaghetti strap and tank tops are not allowed.
o Shirts/tops that are tight fitting are not allowed.
o Shirts/tops that are too short in length are not allowed
Shorts/capris/jeans
Capris, jeans, shorts, (must be no shorter than 4 inch inseam. If shorter than a 4 inch inseam they must be accompanied by biker shorts; biker shorts are not to be worn alone). tennis skirts (no shorter than 15 inches), and sweatpants are acceptable
Pajamas bottoms are not allowed (only on special occasions)
Gym shorts must be an acceptable length (no shorty shorts)
Leggings or yoga pants must have tops that cover the lower trunk of the body
Gym shorts, capris, pants, sweatpants, and jeans with lettering across the bottoms are not acceptable
Shoes/Socks
● Tennis shoes must be worn on PE days
o Sandals, flip flops, clogs open backed are acceptable on non-uniform days
o Socks do not have to be worn on non-uniform days
School personnel will make every effort to make sure the guidelines are consistently followed at all grade levels.
● Please be the uniform checker at home.
● Please check your child on D3 Days or birthdays to make sure the guidelines are followed.