(Last Updated April, 2010 - updates are in black)

The purpose of the uniform policy at St. Paul's Catholic School is to help provide a safe learning environment that acknowledges the dignity of each student as well as developing pride in the school. The policy also serves to develop healthy attitudes regarding Christian modesty. For the sake of "Christian modesty," all items of clothing must fit so that when bending or moving, no skin is exposed. In general, any clothing or type of adornment, including clothing that may be considered "gang" attire, that may bring attention to ones' self is not permitted. The following is not an exhaustive list and determination of whether ones' uniform is in accordance with the policy is left to the discretion of school administration.

UNIFORM SOURCE:

Uniforms may be purchased from any retailer as long as they comply with the uniform policy. Most uniform clothing may be found at retail stores including: Burlington Coat Factory, Toys R Us, Land's End, Target, Wal-Mart, JC Penny, Old Navy. Specialty items such as green school plaid jumpers, skirts, skorts, and ties can be purchased at Nelson's School Supply in Boise, Idaho or through the French Toast Catalog (www.frenchtoast.com). Uniform items may also be purchased at significantly reduced rates through the uniform exchange and at the back-to-school picnic in the summer. Select items of slightly used uniform items are available for purchase from the school throughout the school year.

MASS DRESS:

Girls - Females of all grades are required to wear green school plaid jumpers or skirts with white Peter Pan blouses (a Peter Pan blouse is a plain white button shirt with a rounded collar). When wearing a shirt, it is recommended that a white tank top or white camisol shirt be worn under the Peter Pan blouse in order to promote modesty. No pants, shorts, or capris are allowed for mass dress. Hooded sweatshirts are not allowed.

Boys - Boys are required to wear pants (no shorts) and a white, button down dress shirt with a solid navy or green school plaid necktie. Hooded sweatshirts are not allowed. For both genders, students can wear a red or navy school sweatshirt with embroidered school name (non-hooded sweatshirts only). In addition, plain, solid colored red or navy blue cardigan sweaters and vests are also allowed. (A cardigan sweater is defined as a collarless, hoodless, knitted sweater that buttons down the front). Students are not allowed to wear any other form of covering (coats, jackets or sweatshirts) in the school or church buildings.<.p>

BLOUSES AND SHIRTS:

Primary School Girls (Grades Pre-3 through 5) - All shirts must be solid white, collared, or turtleneck with sleeves (short or long sleeves). All shirts must be free of logos or decorations. Shirts and blouses are to be tucked in while inside all buildings during the school day. Shirts should not be over-sized or skin tight. Undershirts or camisoles must be solid white and free from any decorations that are visible through shirts and blouses. Underclothing, including bra straps, should not be exposed. It is recommended that an undershirt or camisole be worn underneath blouses.

Primary School Boys (Grades Pre-3 through 5) - All shirts must be solid white, collared, or turtleneck with sleeves (short or long sleeves). All shirts must be free of logos or decorations. Shirts are to be tucked in while inside all buildings during the school day. Shirts should not be over-sized or skin tight. Undershirts must be solid white and free from any decorations that are visible through the shirt.

Middle School Girls (Grades 6 through 8) - All shirts must be solid white or navy blue, collared, or turtleneck with sleeves. All shirts must be free of logos or decorations. Shirts and blouses are to be tucked in while inside all buildings during the school day. Shirts should not be over-sized or skin tight. Undershirts or camisoles must be solid white and free from any decorations that are visible through shirts and blouses. Underclothing, including bra straps, should not be exposed. Undershirts or camisoles must be worn underneath blouses.

Middle School Boys (Grades 6 through 8) - All shirts must be solid white or navy blue, collared, or turtleneck with sleeves. All shirts must be free of logos or decorations. Shirts are to be tucked in while inside all buildings during the school day. Shirts should not be over-sized or skin tight. Undershirts must be solid white and free from any decorations that are visible through the shirt.

PANTS/ SHORTS/ CAPRIS:

"Capris" are defined as pants that are as long as the general mid-calf area.

"Shorts" must be no shorter than two inches above the top of the kneecap and no longer than the center of the knee cap while in a standing position. Shorts are not allowed from Thanksgiving Break through Spring Break.

Primary School Girls - Pants, shorts, and capris must be solid navy colored. They should not expose the student in any way when in any position. Pants, shorts, or capris with name brands, pockets or embroidery on the legs, cargo pants, skintight pants, baggy pants, sweats/jogging pants, or chains are prohibited. Acceptable fabrics include: cotton, cotton/polyester blends, corduroy, or polyester.

Primary School Boys - Pants and shorts must be solid navy colored. They should not expose the student in any way when in any position. Pants or shorts with name brands, pockets or embroidery on the legs, cargo style, skintight or excessively baggy, sweats/jogging pants, or chains are prohibited. Acceptable fabrics include: cotton, cotton/polyester blends, corduroy, or polyester.

Middle School Girls - Pants, shorts, and capris may be solid navy colored or solid tan/khaki colored. They should not expose the student in any way when in any position. Pants, shorts, or capris with name brands, pockets or embroidery on the legs, cargo pants, skintight pants, baggy pants, sweats/ jogging pants, or chains are prohibited. Acceptable fabrics include: cotton, cotton/polyester blends, corduroy, or polyester.

Middle School Boys - Pants and shorts must be solid navy colored or solid tan/khaki colored. They should not expose the student in any way when in any position. Pants or shorts with name brands, pockets or embroidery on the legs, cargo style, skintight or excessively baggy, sweats/jogging pants, or chains are prohibited. Acceptable fabrics include: cotton, cotton/polyester blends, corduroy, or polyester.

JUMPERS/ SKIRTS/ SKORTS/SCOOTERS:

"Scooter" - a clothing article for girls that involves a full-around skirt with built in shorts. Similar to a skirt, but has the shorts built into the inside. Scooters may only be worn on non-mass dress days. They are NOT allowed in lieu of skirts on mass dress days.

"Skorts" - an article of clothing that has the appearance of a skirt from the front only. It looks like a pair of shorts from the rear.

Primary School Girls - Girls may wear green, V-necked St. Paul's School plaid jumpers, skirts, or skorts. In addition, solid navy colored skirts and skorts may also be worn. The length of these items may be as short as two inches above the top of the knee cap. Jumpers, skirts, and skorts must not expose the student in any way in any position. For the sake of modesty, girls may wear shorts under their jumpers or skirts provided that the shorts do not protrude and are not visible through these items in any way. Acceptable fabrics include: cotton, cotton/polyester blends, or polyester.

Middle School Girls - Girls may wear green V-necked St. Paul's School plaid jumpers, skirts, or skorts. In addition, solid tan/khaki or solid navy blue colored skorts may also be worn. The length of these items may be as short as two inches above the top of the knee cap. Jumpers, skirts, and skorts must not expose the student in any way in any position. For the sake of modesty, girls may wear shorts under their jumpers or skirts provided that the shorts do not protrude and are not visible in any way through these items. Acceptable fabrics include: cotton, cotton/polyester blends, or polyester.

SWEATERS/ SWEATSHIRTS:

Students may wear solid red or navy colored school sweatshirts with embroidered school name (personal name may also be embroidered underneath the school name) that are available for purchase through the school or at Nelson's in Boise, Idaho. In addition, red or navy hooded sweatshirts with the St. Paul's emblem on the front are also acceptable and may be purchased through the school. Plain, solid colored red or navy blue button-down cardigan sweaters (no hoods, no zippers, no collars) and vests are also allowed. Students are not allowed to wear any other form of covering (coats, jackets, or sweatshirts) in the school building.

SPIRIT SHIRTS:

Spirit shirts (gray short-sleeved t-shirts with large navy emblem of St. Paul on the front) are not a required uniform item. However, they are strongly encouraged in that they are highly recommended for security/identification purposes of our students at specific off-site annual school events (e.g., end of school picnic, track meet, etc.). They may also be worn on designated "spirit shirt" days and may also be worn with denim jeans on designated "dollar jean" days. Spirit shirts are NOT required to be tucked in on spirit shirt days. Spirit shirts can be purchased through the school.

SOCKS/ TIGHTS/ NYLONS:

Socks must be worn at all times. Socks or tights must be solid white or navy. No leggings (foot-less tights) are allowed. All pantyhose and tights must be full-footed. Middle school girls may also wear skin-tone hosiery.

SHOES:

Shoes must be tied or fastened at all times. Suitable shoes are closed-toe, closed-back shoes that are predominantly white, black, brown, or blue in color, and must have a heel that is less than one and one-half (1 ½ ) inch. Athletic shoes are acceptable.

WINTER UNIFORM:

From Thanksgiving break until Spring break shorts and capris are not allowed. Skirts, scooters, or skorts may only be worn with full-footed pantyhose or tights, or visible socks (above the ankle or knee high). (Note: Omitted line stating no ankle socks are allowed during this time period).

HAIR:

Students are expected to maintain clean, neat, trimmed hair. Hair wraps, beading, bleached hair, or artificial hair coloring/streaking/highlighting and extreme haircuts are not allowed. Bangs must be cut above the eye brows (out of the eyes) or pulled away from the eyebrows with barrettes/clips. Girls' hair accessories or head bands should not draw unnecessary attention. Solid colors such as navy, red, black, or brown for head bands and hair accessories are recommended. Boys must be clean shaven at all times. Boys are required to have their hair cut above the ears and not below the top of the collar of a dress shirt.

MAKE-UP:

Only clear fingernail polish is permitted. No make-up shall be worn. Middle school students may wear moderate blemish cover-up only when necessary.

JEWELRY:

Body piercing is not permitted except for stud-type earrings (one earring per ear on earlobe only) for girls. No earrings are permitted for boys. No jewelry is allowed except for jewelry with Christian religious symbols and stud-type earrings.

OTHER:

Visible body art is not permitted. Hats, bandannas, or stocking caps may not be worn in the buildings.

FREE DRESS DAY:

Occasionally, students will be allowed a Free Dress Day. School attire must be of good-taste. Shoes must follow the uniform standard for safety purposes. No sandals are allowed. If a students attends in inappropriate dress, the parent will be called for a change of clothes. Free dress passes cannot be used if the student has infractions in any class during the previous two (2) weeks. Thursday will be the only day that students may wear free dress. Each pass will have a 1-month expiration date from the date of issue.

DOLLAR JEAN DAY:

Intermittently throughout the school year, certain days will be designated "dollar jean days." These designated days will be posted in advance in the school bulletins. During such days, students may pay $1 to wear denim jeans and a spirit shirt or uniform shirt. Regular uniform dress wear is also allowed free of charge. Monies earned from dollar jean days will be donated to designated charitable organizations.