UNIFORM PHILOSOPHY

The faculty, staff, and administration of St. Rita Catholic School asks students to recommit to a uniform dress code out of respect for our school community and our common educational goals. Uniforms encourage a strong sense of community and equality, diminishing issues related to socio-economic differences and trending fashions. A modest uniform dress code allows students to focus on academic and spiritual growth without distractions caused by what they or someone else is wearing. Student focus at school should be centered around enhancing self-confidence, learning goals, and spiritual growth. 

GENERAL

• Risse Brothers is the official supplier of the school uniform. 

• Students must be in school uniform each day, unless otherwise stated in this Handbook or by school administration. The uniform dress code will be strictly enforced. 

• Uniforms may not show excessive wear and tear. They must be in good repair, neat, cleaned, pressed and without stains or tears. When uniform pieces become ripped or soiled beyond cleaning, they are to be replaced. 

• Uniforms are to be worn with Christian modesty in mind. Skirts and jumpers must be of a modest length. Skirts, jumpers, and shorts (boys or girls) should be no more than 4 inches above the top of the knee in the front and no more than 4 inches from the crease of the knee in the back. Sufficient material should be available in the hem to permit lengthening of skirts or jumpers as needed throughout the year. 

• Undergarments (camisoles/brassieres) should blend with the skin tone so that it does not distinctly show through the shirt. Any shirts that become too thin or too tight must be replaced. 

• If undershirts are worn under the uniform shirt, they must be solid white. Undershirts worn under the uniform shirt must fit so that the sleeves of the undershirt are shorter in length than the sleeves of the uniform shirt. 

• Pants should be hemmed to touch the top of the shoes. 

• All shirts must be buttoned. Only the top button can be undone. 

• All polo shirts must be tucked in (girls and boys). All uniform shirts for girls and boys must be tucked in, the "untucked" version for girls is no longer allowed.

• Students may only wear the approved fleece inside the building. Fifth through eighth grade students may wear the green sweater in the building and eighth grade students may wear the green embroidered SRS sweatshirt in the building. Other outerwear may not be worn inside.

• Shoes must be worn with laces and must have laces tied with the exception of PreK & K. 

• Hair bows and hair bands must have minimal adornment such as jewels, attached ornamentation, or anything that is attached to or stands up from the bow or headband. Hair bows and headbands should also be an appropriate size that will not be a distraction to others. Students are not allowed to wear feathers or tinsel in their hair.

• All clothing, including outerwear, must be clearly and permanently marked with the student’s name. 

• Clothing must fit the student. Oversized or undersized clothing may not be worn. 

• Belts are to be worn with pants with belt loops. Belts must be black or brown with no adornments. 

• Pants and belts must be worn above the hip-bone. 

• Body piercing (other than pierced ears) and tattoos are not allowed. 

• Chewing gum is not allowed at school.

• Students in grades K-4 may not bring roller-style backpacks unless prescribed by medical doctor.

• Any piece of clothing or accessory that is political in nature is not permitted. 

• Uniform checks are made daily, and Uniform Violation forms will be sent home, requiring a parent signature, to inform parents of a uniform violation. After September 1st,  the parents of any child who is in violation of the dress code will be informed and depending on the level of violation may need to supply correct apparel within an hour or to take the child home. Repeated uniform violations may result in consequences. 

  • Those in need of a haircut or skirt lengthening will be given one week to conform to the uniform requirements. 

  • On a yearly basis, two or more uniform violations in middle school will result in a consequence. 

• Perfume or Cologne may be worn but should not be brought to or sprayed at school. 

HAIR 

• Boys’ hair must be above the collar and no longer than the ear. In the front, hair must not obstruct their vision. 

• Girls’ bangs must be above the eyebrows and must be secured away from the face. It is recommended that girls secure their hair away from their face on PE days. 

• Hair must be of a color and style that does not hinder learning or distract other students. No bleached hair or two-tone hair color is permitted.

JEWELRY AND MAKE-UP 

• Students are permitted to wear one watch, one ring, one simple necklace, one pair of earrings and one bracelet. Earrings must be located on the ear lobe with only one earring per lobe. Seventh and eighth grade girls may wear small dangle or hoop earrings; however, students will be asked to remove anything that is deemed inappropriate. Any additional jewelry is inappropriate and can be dangerous during times of physical activity. The school is not responsible for any jewelry that is lost or damaged. 

• 7th and 8th grade girls are permitted to wear mascara and concealer only. Any additional makeup must be removed, including eyeshadow.

  • • • No student younger than 7th grade may wear or bring make-up to school. A student wearing make-up will have a consequence, unless permission to wear it has been granted by the administration because of medical reasons. Any make-up found at school must be given to a teacher and may be reclaimed by a parent only. 

• Only 7th and 8th grade girls are permitted to wear nail polish. Nails must be of a modest length that will allow the student to type and complete school work in a safe manner. Additionally, nail color should be of a lighter hue that is tasteful and appropriate for school. In addition, nails may not have attached adornment, such as stones or symbols or graphic designs.

  • • • Any student younger than 7th grade may only wear clear nail polish. 

• Smart watches are not to be worn during school hours, unless prior approval is given by the administration for health or safety reasons. This includes any wearable device that can take photos, record audio, connect to the  internet, make/receive calls or text messages, or chimes. Students who have permission, for after school safety reasons, to bring a smart watch to school must have them turned off and stored as required. For elementary students, smart watches must be in their backpack, for middle school students, it must go in the phone bin for the student’s dismissal class. 

SHOES 

• All shoes must be low-cut. Shoes must be worn appropriately with laces tied. Only PreK-K students are allowed to wear Velcro. 

• When a student outgrows his/her shoes, new ones should be purchased. Students may not walk on top of the heel. Students who damage their shoes by walking on the heel will be required to purchase a new pair. 

• No writing on the outside of shoes is allowed.

NON-UNIFORM DAYS 

On days designated by school administration as non-uniform days (other than Spartan Days), the following guidelines must be followed:

• All clothing worn on non-uniform days must be appropriate, worn with Christian modesty in mind, and otherwise meet the guidelines set forth below. If a teacher or administrator determines, in his or her sole discretion, that clothing worn by a student is inappropriate or immodest or does not otherwise meet the guidelines, the student’s parents will be called and the student may not attend class until the student changes into appropriate clothing.

• Students may wear blue jeans with minimal ornamentation, sweatpants, or uniform shorts/skirts/pants with any shirt. Uniform shoes or athletic shoes may be worn. 

• Students may wear their school uniforms instead of the Non-Uniform Day attire. 

• Students may not wear pajamas or clothing similar to pajamas unless approved by administration.

SPARTAN DAY 

Spartan Days will typically be the third Tuesday of a school month. Spartan Days are published in the school calendar. Students will be required to bring a minimum of a $1.00 donation to participate. This money is given to the school’s scholarship fund. 

On Spartan Days, all students may wear blue jeans with minimal ornamentation, sweatpants, or uniform shorts/skirts/pants with any St. Rita or Spartan shirt. Uniform shoes or athletic shoes may be worn. Students may wear their school uniforms instead of the Spartan Day attire. 

PICTURE DAY

Individual school pictures are taken on a designated date during the first few months of school. On this day, students are required to wear their school uniforms. Middle school students must wear their dress uniform.

SCOUTS 

Scout uniforms may be worn only on the day of the meeting. Students who choose to wear their Scout uniform must wear their full uniform. Failure to wear the full uniform will result in the loss of the privilege. 

OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIPS

All clothing worn on an overnight trip should be appropriate, worn with Christian modesty in mind, and otherwise meet the guidelines set out below. If a teacher or administrator determines, in his or her sole discretion, that clothing worn by a student is inappropriate or immodest or does not otherwise meet the guidelines, he/she will ask the student to go and change into appropriate clothing.

BOYS: 

• May wear jeans, with minimal ornamentation, sweatpants, or shorts that are no shorter than 4 inches above the knee.

• May NOT wear sleeveless shirts or tank tops, t-shirts with suggestive or political pictures or slogans, flip-flops or sandals that are not secured to the foot with straps, Crocs - Crocs or flip flops may be worn at night in or around the cabin or room

GIRLS:

• May wear jeans, with minimal ornamentation, sweatpants, or shorts that are NOT shorter than 6 inches above the knee - NO short shorts.

• May NOT wear sleeveless shirts, tank tops, tops with spaghetti straps or midriff tops, t-shirts with suggestive or political pictures or slogans, flip-flops or sandals that are not secured to the foot with straps, Crocs. Crocs or flip flops  may be worn at night in or around the cabin or room