Messiah Lutheran School

UNIFORM POLICY

August 2024

(adj.) 1. Never changing or varying. 2. Identical with another or others.

(n.) An outfit that distinguishes the wearer as belonging to a particular group.

The Gospel calls the people of God to lead simple lives. Messiah Lutheran School has its students wear uniforms for the following reasons:

Uniforms are an outward sign that the material wants of our society should not be a dominating concern.
Uniforms allow our students to lead simpler lives by not having to worry about what they will wear each day to school. The children can come to school each day and keep their minds on their studies rather than worrying about impressing their peers with what they are wearing.
Uniforms are a symbol that all children who attend this school are equal.

GENERAL UNIFORM GUIDELINES (ALL STUDENTS)

Students must always be in uniform unless qualifications have been met for special out-of-uniform days

Students shall be well groomed. Clothes should fit properly, and be neat and free from stains, tears, or excessive wrinkles.
logo must be able to be covered by a 1.25 x 2.5 inch rectangle
NO LOGOS are to appear on any part of the daily uniform shirts or pants, with the exception of the Messiah crest. Jackets and/ or sweaters worn in the classrooms must be a solid school uniform color (navy, white, red, gray) acceptable brand label logos must fit within the shown rectangle (1.25 x 2.5 inches). Examples include Colombia, Nike, North Face, etc.
No cosmetics or tattoos are permitted at school. (7^th/8^th grade girls are permitted to wear light make-up. It must be natural looking.)
Hair must be clean and neat, out of the eyes, and non-distracting.
No unnatural hair colors or outlandish styles are permitted.
Boys’ hair length must be above the collar.
Hair accessories: Bows, headbands, and barrettes are permitted, but should match the colors in the Messiah uniform (navy, red, white, gray, khaki.) The size, material, and message conveyed should be appropriate and not be distracting.
Jewelry: No more than one each of the following: watch, bracelet, ring, necklace, small stud earrings. Earrings may be worn by girls only-one earring per lobe, no dangling.
No hats are permitted to be worn in the school building.

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ UNIFORM TOPS:

Red, white, or navy solid color polo-style shirt (Short and long sleeved options are permissible)
7th and 8th grade students may wear any solid color polo-style shirt (no logos)

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ UNIFORM BOTTOMS:

Khaki or navy
Worn at the natural waist
No “sagging”.
Pants/shorts should have belt loops and tailored pockets.
No cargo pants or shorts are permitted.
Shorts or skirts (for girls) are to be no more than 2” above or below the knee.

GIRLS’ DRESSES/ JUMPERS:
Navy or red solid color
skirts are to be no more than 2” above or below the knee.
No jumpers permitted except plaid chapel uniform

UNIFORM SHOES:

Students should wear sports/tennis or other closed toed, solid back shoes each school day.
Shoes should be well maintained and fit your child’s foot for safety and the comfort of your child. Light-up shoes are not permitted. Boots are not permitted. (Boots may be worn for warmth to/from school only--student must bring appropriate shoes to wear during the school day.)
Socks must be worn
Visible socks must match and be only in solid colors of red, white, navy, or black
Tennis shoes are required on P.E. days
No light up shoes

CHAPEL UNIFORM GUIDELINES

Chapel attire must be worn on chapel days, but is also acceptable on regular school days.

CHAPEL UNIFORM FOR GIRLS

Plaid jumpers, skorts, or skirts (Length should be no shorter than two inches above the knee.)
Shorts should be worn under jumpers or skirts for modesty. These are not required to be of uniform style, but should not visibly extend past the hemline of the jumper/skirt when sitting or standing.
White blouses, tucked in (Peter Pan collar, button down oxford) or middy blouse with sailor collar
White, red, navy socks or tights.

CHAPEL UNIFORM FOR BOYS

White button-down shirt, tucked in. Belts are suggested, but not required.
Navy or khaki pants or shorts. Pants and shorts should have belt loops and tailored pockets.
Messiah plaid tie
White, red, or navy socks.

FRIDAY DENIM

Students are allowed to wear denim blue jeans, shorts, capris, or skirts, on Fridays.
Denim should be clean, well fitting, free of holes, and must be worn at the natural waist.
Skinny leggings and jeggings are not permitted.
Overalls are not permitted
Uniform polos or Messiah t-shirts may be worn with jeans.

Dress Code Violations:

Record infraction, no further action
Record infraction, think sheet/ reflection of what cannot be worn including a different choice completed by student
Record infraction, parent called to bring alternate clothing
(and subsequent) parent called to bring alternate clothing, lunch detention served that day

Shorts are permitted to be worn year-round, but will not be an excuse to stay inside for recess. Students will be expected to go outside if the rest of the student body is participating in outdoor recess; any time the temperature/ wind chill is above freezing.

MLS Administration reserves the right to make final decisions about appropriate dress and compliance with dress code.

All Messiah plaids (skort, jumper, pleated skirt, and tie) and logo free sweaters/ sweatshirts may be purchased from Land’s End. You can order online at landsend.com. The school number is 900185851

Other uniform components may be purchased from the retailer of your choice.

Dress Code