Uniform Clothing and Appearance
From the 2008-2009 Family Handbook
The uniform requirements apply to those students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Dress Uniform is required the first Wednesday of every month and at other times when announced.
The spirit of the dress code is as important as its letter. Our philosophy is that appearance should not detract from learning. Clothing is not to have any competitive aspect or make obvious socio-economic differences between our students.
*Items MUST be purchased from a uniform supplier. (York Uniforms or Lands End) **Used items or PE clothing may be purchased from the school store, the Osprey Nest, now located in the Cottage. Please consider this as an important resource to keep shirt tails the length that can be tucked in at all time! All of our students will grow out of clothing that another child can certainly grow into. Help the Chesapeake Academy family out!
Girls:
Hair and general appearance will be neat, tidy and unadorned. Hair length is to be manageable and non-distracting to the student or class.
Grades K-4
*Hunter plaid jumper or khaki pants or shorts (see below), with a neutral belt; polo shirt or turtleneck in white, red, navy or white Peter Pan collar blouse (long or short sleeve); navy crew neck cardigan (optional); **Chesapeake Academy sweatshirt (optional); navy or white socks or tights.
DRESS UNIFORM - *Hunter plaid jumper, white Peter Pan collar blouse (long or short sleeve); navy crew neck cardigan; neutral color shoes, white or navy socks or tights.
Grades 5-8
*Hunter plaid kilt or khaki pants or shorts (see below), with a neutral belt; polo shirt or turtleneck in white, red or navy or white oxford button-down collar shirt (short or long sleeve);**Chesapeake Academy sweatshirt (optional); white or navy socks or tights.
DRESS UNIFORM - *Hunter plaid kilt; white oxford button-down collar shirt (short or long sleeve); navy blazer; neutral color shoes, white or navy socks or tights, or neutral hose.
Boys:
Hair and general appearance is to be neat, tidy and unadorned. Hair length is to be above the collar and out of the eyes.
Grades K-4
Khaki pants or shorts (see below), neutral belt; polo shirt or turtleneck in white, red or navy or white oxford button-down collar shirt (short or long sleeve); navy pullover crew neck sweater (optional), **Chesapeake Academy sweatshirt (optional); white or navy socks.
DRESS UNIFORM - Khaki pants, neutral belt; white oxford button-down collar shirt (long or short sleeve); navy pullover crew neck sweater; neutral color shoes; dark socks.
Grades 5-8
Khaki pants or shorts (see below), neutral belt; polo shirt or turtleneck in white, red, or navy or white oxford button-down collar shirt; **Chesapeake Academy sweatshirt (optional); white or navy socks.
DRESS UNIFORM - Khaki pants, neutral belt; white oxford button-down collar shirt (short or long sleeves); navy blazer; *Hunter plaid tie; neutral color shoes; dark socks.
PE Uniform for boys & girls grades 5 - 8
**Navy blue CA athletic shorts, **white CA t-shirt, athletic shoes. (Grades 4 - 8 must have navy PE shorts and white CA t-shirt for the track meet in May.)
Additional Uniform Notes:
- Uniform shirts may not show any logo. Shirttails must be tucked in at all times.
- Uniform sweaters must be unadorned knit (no cable stitch)
- Only CA logowear sweatshirts may be worn.
- Painter's pants and cargo pants are not permitted.
- Shorts/skorts must be Bermuda lenght and may be worn until Thanksgiving and from the first day of spring.
Skirt Lengths
- Middle School girls nearly to the knee.
- Lower School girls between the bottom and top of the knee.
Shoes
- All shoes must be closed toe.
- Athletic shoes are required for PE.
- Canvas shoes or other athletic shoes in white, off-white, navy, gray, black or brown may be worn for every day wear and with the dress uniform on Wednesdays on campus only.
- Leather dress shoes are acceptable any time but are required for special occasion dress uniform days.
Accessories
- Bracelets, earrings, and other accessories must be in keeping with the style of the uniform and should not detract the student(s).
All school items must be marked with the child's name.
TAG DAY
Tag Day attire is non-uniform, but acceptable "nice school clothing", (i.e., standard looking clothing which is in good repair and fits the stature of the student). Lengths of skirts/dresses and shorts must be in keeping with the length of comparable uniform items. Tag Day is the last Wednesday in the month. Students must contribute 25 cents to the Student Council community service projects to be in non-uniform dress for the day.
Dress Code Enforcement
Teachers will compliment appropriateness and redirect inappropriateness.
- Kindergarten: Parents are notified by the teachers.
- Grades 1-4: A third and any successive warning wil result in the lost of one recess.
- Grades 5-8: A third and any successive warning will result in a discipline class.
The Division Head will make the final determination of any questionable attire referred to them by a teacher. Parents will be asked to deliver appropriate attire to the student as students are to be in correct attire all day. Infractions are to be corrected rather than tolerated. Children are to respect the code of conduct and the spirit of the uniform code. It is important for parents to ensure a routine at home that supports appropriate choice of school attire. We encourage parents NOT to correct instances when a child is overdressed.
Dress Code Pearls of Wisdom
- Lay out uniform choice the night before, same on Tag Day - commit early.
- Have student use a check list to help with memory and habit forming.
- Have a calendar on the refrigerator - refer to it every Friday to advance plan the week (laundry) and again each evening to prepare for the following day. Building independence (using dress oneself as one venue) builds positive interaction between parents and children (and children and teachers!).
- Independent demonstration = follow through with commitments.
