At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School our students and faculty dress in a manner that is conducive to educational excellence. We value the high standards by which we teach and learn. Our uniform dress code reflects a common commitment to present ourselves in the best possible manner while showing respect for one another and taking pride in our school’s identity. Our appearance during the school day upholds our belief that the educational experience is important and valuable. Our uniform dress code helps our students to be mindful of our mission’s core values including: building a strong community, striving for academic excellence, promoting a safer learning environment, and developing character through faith and self-respect. A student’s ability to adhere to a common dress code helps to reinforce behaviors of character that will become more salient as he or she grows and matures in to a world of behavioral standards and etiquette that require self-discipline and personal commitment.
Enforcement Policy: As with all school policies, cooperative efforts between our school and our families ensure the greatest level of success. We encourage a common sense approach wherein parents monitor how children leave for school and our staff members enforce our uniform dress code when students arrive.
If a student is not in compliance with the school’s uniform dress code the following procedures will be taken as disciplinary action:
First Infraction: A written warning form will be sent home to the parents/guardians
explaining the violation. The form must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to
school the following day.
Second Infraction: A second written warning will be sent home to be signed by a
parent/guardian and returned the following day. The student in violation will be sent to the
principal’s office or the Uniform Room, or parents/guardians may be called to bring
proper
garments. The student will also receive an in-school lunch detention.
Third Infraction: A third written warning will be sent home to be signed by a parent/guardian
and returned the following day. The student in violation will be sent to the
principal’s office.
The student will also be taken to the Uniform Room, or parents/guardians may be called to
bring in proper garments. The student will also receive an in-
school lunch detention and
may lose his/her privileges for the next Free Dress Day. Students who receive three
infractions through blatant disregard of the dress code will
lose his/her privileges for the next
Free Dress Day.
Fourth Infraction: To be determined by the principal and Pastor. The administration
reserves
the right to issue disciplinary sanctions to students for flagrant or repeated
violation of the
dress code.
Required and Optional Uniform Pieces:
Our Lady of Mt Carmel Regional Catholic School families should be aware that all uniform
pieces are available through our school’s website https://olmcuniforms.itemorder.com/sale for your
convenience and to eliminate confusion as to what is acceptable and what is not acceptable to
wear to school. In addition, our school has the potential to receive money back on purchases
made through our school’s on-line uniform store vendors. There are a minimal number of
uniform pieces that are required, and others that are optional. This distinction is clearly outlined
below. Optional uniform pieces are purchased at the discretion of each family and are intended
to give families choices. Every effort has been made to offer all uniform pieces that are
comfortable, durable and affordable. polo-style uniform shirts must bear the official school
uniform crest and are only available through our online store to maintain consistency. Uniform
sweaters and pullovers may or may not bear the school crest and are optional items only. There
are certain pieces of the school uniform that can be purchased elsewhere, other than the school’s
on-line store. However, families that choose to do this are not guaranteed that their child’s
uniform will meet dress code requirements. It is recommended that such items are approved by
the school prior to purchase.
OUR UNIFORM
All students are expected to be in their approved uniform from the time they are dropped off in the morning until they are picked up after school. Sanctioned uniforms are clearly outlined in this section of the handbook. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School Uniforms vary slightly in middle school and are intended to be age appropriate, functional, convenient and also stylish. Uniform pieces can be viewed by individual grade level at https://olmcuniforms.itemorder.com/sale.
Belts: All students in Grades 2-8 must wear a belt that is solid or braided in brown or black. Belts, may not be fabric, multicolored, patterned or bear any company logos. Belts are not required for Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st Grade students.
Hair: Hair must be neat, clean, and well-groomed. Boys’ hair should be an appropriate length and style suited for a young gentleman. A hairstyle that obstructs one’s vision or is distracting to others is not allowed. Extreme styles or artificial colors are not allowed. Headbands, hair bows and ribbons must be solid navy or white. Hair accessories that are multicolored, patterned, or over-sized (i.e.: large hair bows) are not allowed.
Hats: Hats are not part of the school uniform and may only be worn outside. Hats are not to be worn inside school or in church at any time.
Jewelry: Wearing jewelry to school is discouraged for safety reasons. However, girls are permitted to wear small post earrings, watches, religious bracelets or necklaces, and jewelry for medical reasons. Boys may wear watches, religious bracelets or necklaces, and jewelry for medical reasons. Boys may not wear earrings. Any jewelry that is ornate or distracting is unacceptable. Watch alarms must be silenced during school hours.
Make-up/Fingernail Polish: At the discretion of a parent/guardian, girls may wear make-up and fingernail polish that is modest and appropriate for a Catholic school student. Minimal make-up and light colored nail polish is encouraged. Any make-up or fingernail polish that is garish or distracting will be asked to be removed in school. Artificial nails are not allowed.
Outerwear: Jackets and coats may only be worn outside and are not to be worn in the classroom or in church at any time. Zip-up sweat jackets or pull-over “hoodies” are considered outerwear and are not permitted while in class or in church. If a student wears a sweat jacket or hoodie to school, it must be removed upon arrival to school and not worn in class or during Mass.
Pants: Uniform pants are to be flat-front (non-pleated) dress khakis and must match in color to khakis available through the school’s website. Dress-style pants only are allowed. Jean-style or cargo-style pants are not allowed.
Scout/Athletic Uniforms: Students are not allowed to wear scout or athletic uniforms/jerseys during the school day.
Shoes and Boots: Closed toe and heel, soft sole dress shoes or athletic shoes are to be worn at school at all times. Athletic (tennis) shoes are required for P.E. days. Boots, including winter boots, cowboy boots, or “fashion boots” (i.e.: UGGS) may not be worn during the school day. If students wear snow or rain boots to school, they must change into shoes in the classroom in the morning. Snow or rain boots are allowed for outdoor use only, such as on the playground or to and from school in the morning or afternoon. Cowboy boots are not allowed under any circumstance. All shoes must have non-marking soles. Sandals, jellies, clogs, Crocs, flip-flops, high-heeled, platform, and shoes with flashing lights are not allowed.
Shirts: All short or long sleeve polo-style uniform shirts must bear the Our Lady of Mt Carmel Regional Catholic School emblem. All uniform shirts must be tucked in at all times. Students may wear a plain, white, short-sleeved undershirt under their uniform shirts. Undershirts must fit appropriately under the uniform shirts (i.e.: long sleeve undershirts may not be worn under short sleeve uniform shirts). Undershirts in any color other than white are not allowed, and visible company logos are not permitted.
Shorts: Students may wear uniform shorts, at the discretion of a parent/guardian, at any time throughout the school year. Uniform shorts are to be flat-front (non-pleated) and must match in color to khakis available through the school’s website. Dress-style shorts only are allowed. Jean- style or cargo-style shorts are not allowed.
Socks: Boys are required to wear crew socks or ankle socks in navy or white. Girls are required to wear crew, ankle socks, knee socks, or tights (see “Tights” below) in navy or white. Socks with stripes, patterns, lace, ruffles, or visible company logos are not permitted.
Cardigans & Pullovers: Our Lady of Mt Carmel Regional Catholic School Cardigans and quarter-zip pullovers with or without the school crest are acceptable to wear in school as a part of the uniform. Shirt collars must be visible while wearing cardigans or pullovers. These items, which can be purchased from the school’s website, are optional and are not required as a part of the school uniform.
Sweatshirts: Plain, scoop-neck or hoodie sweatshirts are not permitted in school or in church. Sweatshirts, “hoodies”, spirit wear, OLMC athletic apparel may be permitted on Spirit Days (see “Spirit Days” below).
Tights: Girls may wear tights under their uniform jumpers, skirts or scooters. Tights may be light-weight or cable-knit (heavy weight) in navy or white. Leggings, striped, patterned, ruffled or lace tights are not allowed.
Mass Days: Middle School students are required to “dress up” for Mass on Friday mornings. Young men in Grades 6-8 are ato wear a white oxford shirt and OLMC plaid tie with khakis. Young women in Grades 6-8 are to wear a white oxford blouse and OLMC plaid tie with uniform skirt or khakis. Students will be permitted to remove their ties after church for the remainder of the school day. Although not required, we kindly ask parents to encourage students in the lower grades to “dress up” for Mass as well, as a sign of respect and to honor the solmnity of the Mass. The Principal and/or Pastor may request that students “dress up” on the other days as they deem fit, such as holy days of obligation, or to honor a special guest at the school.
Free Dress Day: On the first Monday of each month with a 2:00 p.m. dismissal, students are given the privilege of not wearing their uniform. However, on these days students are required to wear clothes that are neat and appropriate for school. Students may not wear oversized or tight-fitting clothing, such as short-shorts, sundresses or tank tops. Students may not wear sandals, heels, open-toe or open-back shoes for safety reasons. Students are not allowed to wear clothing which depicts advertisements or slogans for any alcohol or tobacco products, or any illegal drug or inappropriate (e.g. gang-related) messages or pictures. Students are also permitted to wear their uniform on a Free Dress Day, if they so choose.
Spirit Days: Throughout the school year we celebrate Spirit Days as a way to collectively showcase our school pride. On these days students have the option of wearing their uniform, any OLMC athletic apparel, spirit wear shirts with uniform bottoms. Additional themed “dress up” days, like those during Catholic Schools Week, occur throughout the school year and are determined by the Principal. On these days, students are given the privilege of not wearing their uniform in order to participate in school activities and special events.
Picture Day(s): Fall and Spring Picture Day are also Free Dress Days.
The Principal has the authority to make exceptions to the dress code policy for school activities, special events, and extraordinary circumstances.