Mr. O’s Weekly News

August 25, 2022

Hello Falcon Fam!

Dress code enforcement has been discussed by our School Leadership Team on and off for the last two years.  While dress code is not at the top of my list, I am reminded at every school Mass, including this week’s Mass, that we push, and sometimes exceed, the limits of what is appropriate for our school.  By appropriate, I mean what is “especially suitable” for the circumstance (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appropriate).  Yes, I looked that up just for this email! 

Please know I have been engaged in the appropriate/suitable clothing discussion with my three daughters for 10+ years. I get it.  It’s not fashionable and it’s hard.

Simply said, for many of our female students,

• Shorts and pants are too tight
  •  Shorts/pants are too tight, if:
    • the hem of one’s shorts is inching up the thigh and occasionally needs to be pulled down.  I saw this at Mass twice on Tuesday.
    • the hem of one’s shorts is leaving a crease on the thigh. When the bottom of the leg turns purple, it is too late.  
    • the lines of what is being worn underneath can be seen by others. This is the 4th edition of this bullet point.
  • Khaki shorts/pants are more revealing than navy, so when in doubt, buy navy.
• Short and skirts are too short
  • Our handbook states shorts/skirts should be no shorter than 3″ above the knee.  A credit card or driver’s license is 3.375″.
  • 3″ above the knee is the guideline not only for regular school days, but also Out-of-Uniform Days.

For all students, we allow exactly 3 tops that can be worn over one’s polo:

• a Dri-Fit Quarter-Zip Pullover
• a Fleece Quarter-Zip Pullover
• and, my personal favorite, the Cardigan Sweater

It’s not time for a major crackdown. We will work on getting better gradually, and we will start with reminders and warnings. The next step will be asking parents to deliver a change of clothes and pulling the student out of class.  That scenario is the opposite of fun; please help us avoid it.

Thank you for your consideration and understanding.

In Christ,
Mr. O’

St. Christopher School Principal
toloughlin@scpschool.org
937.898.5104