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. Repeat offenses will result in disciplinary action.

Shirts for boys and girls
Beginning in 2022, black polo shirts, sweaters and pullovers have been added as an option. The darkest portion of the girls' skirt is black and black shorts for PE and jackets with our logo have always been permitted.
Plain white, navy blue, or black traditional polo shirts, collared, long or short sleeved. No emblems besides the MCES logo, which can be added by Lands End, All Heart Athletics (formerly Rick's) or Monroe Sports Varsity Athletics. The MCES logo is not required on shirts.  Under Armor, Nike, etc…emblems are NOT permitted.  Collared white, black or navy blue traditional fold-down turtlenecks and, for girls, white rounded or Peter Pan collared shirts are also permitted. Shirts must be tucked in slacks, shorts, or skirts.  If t-shirts are worn under the school uniform shirt, it must be solid white with no visible designs or logos.

Slacks for boys and girls
Khaki only, 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 only 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 through September and from May through June.  Please use your parental discretion during these months in regards to the weather.


Skirts
Girls are required to wear plaid (Hunter/Classic Navy Plaid) Land’s End skirts, skorts or jumpers. (Or, they may wear khaki pants/shorts as outlined above).  Skirts, skorts and jumpers will be no more than 2” above the knee.  Navy blue leggings may be worn under skirts/jumpers on cold days.

Sweaters for boys and girls (optional)
Navy blue or black 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.

Fleece or Crew Sweatshirts for boys and girls (optional)
Full-zip or ¼-zip navy blue or black fleece with Monroe Catholic Elementary School logo, can be worn during the school day.  Grey, black or navy blue crew neck sweatshirts or navy blue ¼-zip sweatshirts with MCES logo may also be worn during the school day. All fleece and sweatshirts must be worn over a uniform white/black/navy blue-collared shirt or white/black/navy blue turtleneck.  Any fleeces or crew neck sweatshirts must include the logo.  Absolutely no hoodies or non-MCES sweatshirts may be worn during the school day. Since middle school students walk between St. Mary campus and SMCC during the school day, they should not wear non-MCES sweatshirts to school as their coat/jacket as they often forget to remove them before class begins. Repeated requests to remove non-MCES sweatshirts/outerwear will result in disciplinary action.

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 slacks or shorts do not have belt loops, then a belt is not required. Oversized belt buckles are not permitted. We recommend that Kindergarten students do not wear belts, to limit bathroom challenges.

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, canvas or variations of such are not allowed. No heeled shoes are permitted.  No Vans or Crocs.

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 (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 fit our dress code.

Socks
Girls:  matching ankle socks, mid-calf, knee socks, or tights in navy blue, white, black or khaki may be worn. Black or white Nike or Under Armour socks with small logos on the side are ok.  Additional stripes or color blocking are not permissible.
Boys:  matching ankle socks or mid-calf dress socks in navy blue, white, black or khaki may be worn. Black or white Nike or Under Armour socks with small logos on the side are ok.  Additional stripes or color blocking are not permissible.

Cosmetics, Cologne, and Jewelry
Nail polish may not be worn in grades K – 4.  Subtle colored nail polish may be worn by girls in grades 5 – 8.  Polish needs to be free of cracks & chips.  Artificial nails are prohibited.

Body piercing, visible tattoos, cologne/perfumes are prohibited.

Girls may wear small earrings with no more than one earring per ear, in earlobe only.  Boys may not wear earrings even if covered. A simple necklace is allowed for a necklace (no chokers).  A reasonable size wrist watch is acceptable.  Smart watches, including Apple watches, or any watch with a function other than telling time, are not permitted to be worn. No excessive amounts of jewelry (rings, bracelets, necklaces etc…) The administrative staff will have the final say on what is permissible.

Very modest cosmetics will only be allowed for 7th and 8th grade girls. Concealer, light powder, non-color chapstick, and a modest amount of mascara will be allowed.  No foundation, blush, bronzer, highlighter, eye shadow, eye liner or lipstick.


Hair
Hair may not be dyed to unnatural hair colors (red, blue, purple, green, bleached, etc….).  Boys’ hair must be off the collar, above the eyebrows (out of eyes), and above the ear lobe. Girls with bangs must be above the eyebrows (out of eyes).

Head Gear for boys and girls
Girls’ hair accessories should be simple and modest in size, color, and material. Hair bows, headbands, ribbons, scrunchies, hair clips are acceptable. Hats, bandanas, crowns, or visually distracting hair adornments are not allowed. The teacher or principal/administrative staff will have the final say one what causes a visual distraction in regards to hair styles and accessories. 

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 an MCES t-shirt with black mesh or solid cotton gym shorts that have the school logo on them. The MCES warm-up jacket and pants or sweatpants, and the MCES crew neck sweatshirt are permitted on colder days. All PE uniforms must have the MCES logo. No Nike, Under Armor, Adidas, etc… emblems are permitted for PE, even if the MCES logo is added.  Contact Rick's Sports for an official selection of PE Uniforms.

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 or Crusaders spirit wear.  The grey t-shirts with the MCES logo are the true uniform for gym and are 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 includes the MCES auction t-shirts, and for the middle school it includes any club shirt purchased through the school including: fall fest shirts, MCES Robotics team, MCES Quiz Bowl Team, MCES Christmas Play, MCES Choir, 8th grade t-shirts, etc… If the shirt does not say MCES or Crusaders on it, then it is not permissible.

Non-uniform/dress down days:
Non-uniform days
Bottoms : Jeans (no rips or fraying), joggers, athletic pants, or PE uniform bottoms. No shorts except PE uniform shorts.
Tops: t-shirt, sweater, sweatshirt, hoodie - SMCC and CYO clothing are permitted.
Shoes: tennis shoes, boots, or crocs with the heel slide in place may be worn. No sandals or flip flops. Shoes must have a back. No heeled shoes

Not allowed: anything offensive or political, nothing with holes, tears, cut outs, or fraying. Nothing too tight fitting, no bare midriffs, no tank tops, no sleeveless, no low cut or revealing. No leggings or pajamas. No sandals or flip flops. If you have any question on what is appropriate, please contact the office prior to wearing this item of clothing. If we find that non-uniform days are too hard to control, more limitations to what is allowed will be made. Please use good judgement. Students who do not follow the above Non-uniform/dress down day policies will be required to call home for appropriate apparel. 

NOTE: MCES Faculty & Administration will have final say for special events throughout the academic school year.

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