Welcome New Students!

St. Mary’s High School Dress Code Rules

Belts

• Belts must be black or navy fastened properly through all belt loops. Belt buckles should not be excessive in size, style or colour and should not depict or represent values contrary to those of the school. If a shirt is tucked in, it must be tucked in all the way and all the way around the waist. Oxford shirts must be tucked in at all times.  Box cut shirts, rugby shirts and golf shirts may be worn loosely outside of the pant waist.

Cover Ups

• Only McCarthy cover-ups are allowed in classrooms. All non-uniform cover-ups must be kept in lockers. Hooded sweatshirts are not allowed and are not to be worn in the building. Coats must be placed in lockers and are not allowed in classrooms.

Footwear

• Dress or running shoes are to be in good working repair and should be worn with socks.
• No tucking in of pant legs into footwear.
• No extreme colour or styles.
• Sandals are allowed as a substitute to regular footwear with the understanding that these are worn at the student’s own risk since they do not provide adequate foot protection. For safety reasons, we strongly recommend that flip flops/beach shoes not be worn. Instead, strapped sandals should be worn for safety reasons.

Hair/Head Coverings

• Students should wear hairstyles and hair colours that do not distract from the uniform or the focus of learning for other students. Hair should be clean, neat in appearance, and reasonably styled or coloured. 
• Any type of head covering is not permitted inside the school; this includes bandanas, hats of any type or skullcaps or hair bands. Hair bands (females) are to be no wider than 2.5 cm or 1 inch.
• Such items will be confiscated by the staff and administration and a parent will need to come in and pick them up. The school does NOT accept any financial responsibility for these items. Don’t bring and/or wear them to school!

Jewelry/Accessories

• Jewelry worn should not be excessive in size or number. It should not distract from or show disrespect for the uniform. Dog collars, spiked collars or wrist bands, belt chains, excessively heavy chains or jewelry depicting or using symbols that are not in keeping with the gospel values of the school will not be permitted. Facial piercing, other than unobtrusive ear piercing, is not No facial piercings are permitted. Any jewelry that is a safety concern shall be removed immediately upon the request of the teacher and/or administration.

Modifications to the Uniform

Modifications to the uniform of any kind are not permitted. This includes but is not limited to: rolling up of pant legs, splitting pant leg seams, tucking pants into socks or footwear, or tying or fastening the uniform in any manner. No form of layering is allowed, e.g. lace or sheer tops. Kilts may not be rolled up at the waist or altered in any way. 

Uniforms and Field Trips

It is the policy of the London District Catholic School Board that uniforms be worn on all field trips. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the principal for reasons of safety or appropriateness for the purpose/activity of the field trip.

Charity Days – Off Uniform Dress Code

One day each month shall be designated as a Charity Day. A recommended donation of two dollars will be collected from students during period 1 who wish to wear their civvies clothes. All proceeds will go to the specified local charity to support youth needs. Although students are not required to be in uniform, the following dress code will be expected:

• All clothes worn on Charity Days must comply with the values and beliefs of Catholicism to foster a positive learning environment.
• Students must comply with the standard of dress outlined in the St. Mary’s Uniform Policy.
• On Charity Days, students may wear clothing that are not uniform items with the following guidelines:

• Clothes that reveal bare midriffs or cleavage are not to be worn.
• Pants must be worn at the waist.
• Head coverings of any type are not permitted.
• Strapless blouses or shirts may not be worn.
• Spaghetti straps, halter and tank tops are not permitted.
• Sheer, lace cover-ups are not permitted to be worn.
• Pant legs (including hem lines for shorts and skirts) must be worn at the appropriate length as per the uniform policy and thus may not be rolled up. Capri style pants are permitted.
• Shorts, dresses and skirts must be worn no shorter than arms-length and must be longer than the middle finger when hands are placed at sides.

Any questionable clothing item will be addressed by a staff member and/or administration.

The first Wednesday of every month of school, students are permitted to wear their red GST shirt along with their uniform bottoms. Wearing the GST shirt shows that the student supports anti-bullying and belonging initiatives.  Students are encouraged to purchase the GST for a nominal fee in support of these initiatives at the school to help support that all feel they belong to the school community.

The last Wednesday of every month of school, students are permitted to wear their spirit wear clothing. This clothing can include items purchased from participating on a sports team, club or the St. Mary’s spirit wear items. These items of spirit wear are only to be worn on the designated spirit wear days and are NOTpart of the school uniform.

Physical Education Uniforms

Students are encouraged to write their name on all uniform items to avoid loss or misplacement in the change rooms. The following attire is mandatory for gymnasium use:

• A SMCHS Phys Ed t-shirt (to be purchased from the Phys Ed teacher).
• Navy or black shorts.
• Running shoes (non-marking).
• White sweat socks.
• Sweat-suits (navy or grey) may be worn for outside activities. No jeans or cargo pants.
• Under NO circumstance is a student to modify the Phys Ed uniform (i.e.: cutting sleeves, rolling or tying up of shirts/shorts).

The Ontario Physical and Health Education Association guidelines stipulate that jewelry of any kind is not to be worn during physical education classes. This includes all piercings. Street shoes are not allowed on the gym floor at any time. The student is responsible for bringing medical devices to every class. Students are reminded to leave all valuables locked in their lockers.

Consequences for Uniform Non-Compliance

Students who do not comply with the code will not be permitted to class.  If a student is missing a uniform part, the following options are available:

• Borrow a uniform or uniform piece from a friend.
• Call home to have the uniform or missing uniform piece delivered, or,
• Student is sent home to retrieve uniform or uniform piece, or,
• Student will have one opportunity to select an item or items from the used uniform supply of St. Mary’s Catholic High School (if available – note this supply is very limited). Students will ONLY be able to access this once a semester (a binder will be kept recording all students’ uniform infractions).

Students who continually wear out of uniform pieces (i.e. hats) may have them confiscated until the end of the day. Excessive opposition to the school uniform policy may result in having a parent/guardian required to pick-up the non-uniform items. Uniform infractions are subject to progressive discipline.

Final decision for non-compliance will be made by the Principal or Vice-Principal.