MCES DRESS CODE
Uniforms promote a common bonding among the students and provide a means of identification. This unity will create an environment where the students’ focus is on Christian values and education.  Neatness, cleanliness, and a well-groomed appearance are expected.  Students in kindergarten through grade 8 are required to wear the school uniform.  Since buying clothing is a family function, parents are expected to purchase clothing that will meet the standards set forth in the dress code policy.  This policy is written so that it is easy for students and parents to adhere to and easy for teachers and administration to enforce.  

Please be aware that the MCES uniform policy is enforced and failure to follow it will result in a call home to bring appropriate items in for the student.

Shirts for boys and girls
Plain white or navy blue traditional polo shirts, collared, long or short sleeved. No emblems besides the MCES logo, which can be added by Lands End, Rick's Sports (in Monroe) or Monroe Varsity Sports.  Collared white or navy blue traditional fold-down turtlenecks and for girls white rounded or Peter Pan collared shirts are also permitted.  No emblems besides the MCES logo which can be added by Lands End, Rick's SPorts (in Monroe) or Monroe Varsity Sports.  Shirts must be tucked in slacks, shorts, or skirts.  T-shirts worn under the school uniform shirt must be solid white with no visible designs or logos.

Slacks for boys and girls
Khaki, pleated or flat front cotton twill slacks are required. Slacks must be worn with belts at the waist – not below the waist or dragging on the ground – not baggy or oversized. Cargos, carpenter, painter, or polyester knits (stretch) are not allowed.

Shorts for boys and girls
Khaki walking shorts, pleated or flat front cotton twill, at the knee or no more than two inches above the knee.  Students may wear shorts from August until the end of September and then from the beginning of May until June.  Please use your parental discretion during these times.

Skirts
Girls are required to wear plaid (Hunter/Classic Navy Plaid) Land’s End skirts, skorts or jumpers.  Skirts and jumpers will be no more than 2” above the knee. 

Sweaters for boys and girls (optional)
Navy blue solid, crew neck or cardigan, long-sleeve pullover sweater or sweater vest may be worn.  All sweaters must be worn over a white/navy blue-collared shirt or white/navy blue turtleneck.

Full Zip Fleece for boys and girls (optional)
Navy blue with Monroe Catholic Elementary School logo, can be worn during the school day.  All fleece must be worn over a uniform white/navy blue-collared shirt or white/navy blue turtleneck. The fleece is ordered through Monroe Sports Varsity Athletic directly, 734-457-2727, Rick Sports or the Land's End website (School Uniform T-200 Fleece Jacket) and must include the logo. 

Belts for boys and girls
Plain belts, solid black or brown in color are required to be worn, starting in First grade, with slacks & shorts that have belt loops. If pants or shorts do not have belt loops, then a belt is not required. Over-sized belt buckles are not permitted. We recommend that Kindergarten students do not wear belts, to limit bathroom challenges with taking them on and off.

Shoes for boys and girls
Comfortable, appropriate, non-athletic looking casual or dress shoes with non-marking soles are to be worn.  Colors include shades of brown, black, or navy blue.  Tennis or athletic shoe styles in dark colors are not allowed.  Shoes must be leather or suede and fully enclosed.  Sandals, plastic shoes, flip-flops, clogs, crocs or variations of such are not allowed. 

Heels are not to exceed 1 ½” in height.  All shoes must cover the foot completely, including toes and heel.  

If you select boat shoes, they are the versions in shades of brown such as tan, brown, khaki or sahara. If you purchase boat shoes, they must be free of colors, patterns (including leopard print) or metallic colored leather/suede (including gold). If you are purchasing these shoes we strongly encourage looking at these particular models of the Sperry shoes: Sperry Top-Sider styles:-Authentic Original (A/O) in Sahara or Brown (Men's and Women's), Bluefish in Linen Oat and in Brown (Women's), Angelfish in Linen Oat (Women's) or Billfish Dark Tan (Men's) or similar children's versions. Remember if you shop local at Yaeger or Martin Shoes they know all of the shoes that work for our dress code.

Socks
Girls:  ankle socks, knee socks, or tights in navy blue, white, black or khaki may be worn. 
Boys:  ankle socks or mid-calf dress socks in navy blue, white, black or khaki may be worn. 

Cosmetics, Cologne, and Jewelry
Nail polish may not be worn on girls in grades K – 4.  Subtle colored nail polish may be worn by girls in grades 5 – 8.  Polish should be free of cracks & chips.  Body piercing, visible tattoos, make-up and artificial nails are prohibited.  Cologne and perfumes are not acceptable.  Girls may wear small earrings with no more than one earring per ear.  Boys may not wear earrings even if covered.    A small crucifix or religious medallion is allowed for a necklace.  A reasonable size wrist watch is acceptable. 

Hair Coloring for boys and girls
Natural hair color may not be altered or highlighted.  Boys’ hair should be off the collar, above the eyebrows (out of eyes), and above the ear lobe. 

Head Gear for boys and girls
Girls’ headbands and hair ribbons may be simple and solid in color and match the colors of the school uniform skirt/jumper (Navy, red, dark green, black) or brown, white and the matching plaid head band is also acceptable.  Flowers, bows over 3 inch in size and bandannas are not allowed.  Hats or caps may not be worn in the school building.  This includes out-of-uniform days.  The teacher or principal will have the final say over what causes a visual distraction in the classroom with regards to hairstyles and hair adornments. 

Physical Education Dress for boys and girls
Students in kindergarten – grade 5 are required to wear Physical Education attire on physical education days with clean tennis shoes. Students in grades 6 – 8 will wear the regular uniform and bring physical education attire to school to change into on PE day.  The uniform is a MCES tshirt with mesh gym shorts that have the school logo on them, the MCES warm-up jacket and pants and if cold the MCES sweatshirt. 

A note about gym uniforms:
Students are permitted to wear MCES t-shirts to gym as long as they are true MCES spirit wear and NOT CYO or SMCC wear.  The grey t-shirts with the logo are the true uniform for gym and always ok for gym days or MCES Spirit days, as well as the uniformed gym pants and shorts, but MCES spirit wear is also permitted for their tops. Spirit wear is the MCES Pride/auction t-shirts, and for the middle school it is the Pride t-shirts, fall fest shirts, MCES Robotics team, MCES Quiz Bowl Team, MCES Christmas Play, MCES Choir, the homeroom t-shirts from last school year or the Catholic Heritage Walk.

The PE uniform can be found by visiting Rick’s Sporting Goods - Rick Benson at 242-0774 or ordering through the school's Lands End account. To see approved Lands End apparel (you must add the logo) please click here.  The PE uniform policy will be strictly enforced. Parents will be promptly notified of concerns.

Lands End Information:If you order your school clothing through Lands End please use our Preferred School Number Search: 900163387 or click here for our custom Lands End website. When you order using our account number a percentage of your purchase comes back to MCES. 

NOTE: Principals, along with the executive director, will have final say for special events throughout the academic school year.