Last May the school sent out notice that the 2006-2007 school year would be a transitional year for the uniform. Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year:

• all students will be required to wear the white oxford button down shirt
• male students must wear the Father Ryan tie sold at Parker Uniform
• senior girls may wear slacks/pants but only those bought at Parker Uniform
• Shoe information is shown below

Please follow the guidelines given at the top of the examples. If you have further questions, please contact Carolyn Evans, Dean of Students, at (615) 383-4200.

GENERAL UNIFORM GUIDELINES

All students are expected to wear the proper school uniform during school hours. Students are also expected to be in uniform once they leave the parking/drop off areas until they reach the parking/pick-up areas to leave. This includes time spent working on the campus after official school hours. Gross violations of the dress code may result in the student being sent home for the day and receiving an unexcused absence.

• Clothing is expected to be neat and clean at all times.
• Students may not be out of uniform without delivering to the Dean of Students’ Office a written excuse signed by a parent before the school day begins. An out-of-uniform pass will then be issued. This adhesive pass must be worn by the student during school hours and must be highly visible to all on the left front shirt pocket. An excessive number of parental excuses will not be accepted.
• Any decisions related to proper dress or grooming will be made by the Principal or Dean of Students. Parents/Students are advised that when in doubt concerning appropriateness of clothing, err on the side of conservative dress.
• Only jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts bearing the Father Ryan High School logo, mascot, name or name of a Father Ryan High School team or school organization may be worn in the classroom. Items suitable for classroom wear may be purchased through the Father Ryan High School Bookstore. Any other jackets, sweatshirts, and/or sweaters must be stored in lockers upon arrival and removed only when leaving the campus. No denim, blue jean, army-style, or studded leather jackets and/or clothing are permitted.
• Shirts are to be tucked in and should be properly fitted. Shirts which are too big or too small will result in the student receiving detention and being asked to change into a more appropriate shirt.
• White T-shirts, undershirts, or white thermal underwear shirts may be worn under uniform shirts. Girls may wear white turtle necks under uniform shirts. Shirts with any writing, designs, or emblems may not be worn under the uniform shirt (shirts with Father Ryan writing, designs, or emblems are not an exception). No t-shirt sleeves and/or collars may be visible under the uniform shirt.
• Chains, metal studs, and/or unusual markings/designs on clothing and/or accessories are prohibited. This includes designs or colors on contact lenses.
• Hats will not be worn on campus during the school day nor should they be carried in pants’ pockets. Hats may be confiscated and turned in to the Dean of Students’ Office. Detentions may also be issued. No ear warmers or scarves can be worn in the buildings.
• Any style leather dress shoe or dress boot which is black or brown in color is permitted as long as it has a closed heel and no distinguishing markings such as emblems, letters, etc. The school provides a shoe “Style Sheet” which may be helpful in choosing shoes that conform to the policy. These may be obtained in the main office.
• Heels on shoes may not be greater than three (3) inches in height. The following are not allowed: hiking boots, tennis or athletic shoes, military style boots, duck boots, sandals, open-toed, moccasin style, or soccer shoes. If shoes are made for laces, then laces must be worn and tied.
• Socks must be worn by all students. All socks must be at a length that extends well above the ankle bone when worn normally (this does not include short “shoe socks” stretched to temporarily cover the ankle bone).
• Students who consistently demonstrate a disregard of the uniform policy will be subjected to increasingly more serious disciplinary measures.
• No visible tattoos are allowed at school or while participating in co-curricular events.
• Excessive jewelry is not permitted. More that 3 items of the same category are not permitted. Nose rings, tongue rings, eyebrow rings, and/or posts, etc., are permitted. Those continually abusing this will be subject to significant disciplinary measures.
• Hair style and/or color must not be a distraction to the learning environment. Students who dye their hair with colors such as red, green, pink, etc., and any other color deemed inappropriate will be sent home until the issue is resolved. Unexcused absences may be given. The administration of the school determines whether the color is inappropriate.
• Writing on or otherwise defacing uniform clothing may be subject to disciplinary action.

BOYS' UNIFORM

• Boys’ uniform pants must be tan khaki (as opposed to chocolate, brown or green khaki), or navy blue in color. Moderate pleats are permitted. No cargo pants (or pants with pockets on the sides of the legs), denim khaki, baggy, or drawstring style pants will be allowed. Pockets on pants must not be visible or sewn to outside of trousers (i.e. patch pockets). No brads are to be visible on trousers. Trousers may not be pegged or tucked into shoes or boots; they must be in good condition, not frayed, and without holes. Traditional belts must be worn with trousers having belt loops; loops may not be cut off to avoid compliance with this policy. Belts with excessive length are not permitted. Socks must be worn with the uniform and must be visible above the shoe. Trousers may not be worn in the “low rider” style.
• Shirts must be white, long or short sleeve, oxford cloth, with a buttoned- down collar. Shirts must not be torn or frayed in any way, and may not have emblems or monogramming.
• Neckties must be worn with the uniform the year round and must be the uniform necktie purchased through Parker Uniform. The top shirt button need not be buttoned, but must not extend below the collarbone.
• Solid white, solid navy, charcoal gray or solid black socks must be worn with the uniform. No patterns or designs are allowed on socks. All socks must be at a length that extends well above the ankle bone when worn normally (this does not include short “shoe socks” stretched to temporarily cover the ankle bone).
• Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, on Fridays (unless it is an all-school Mass day) senior boys will be allowed to wear purple polo shirts with the Father Ryan crest purchased from Parker Uniform. The Parker Uniform shirt is the only shirt that may be worn. Regular uniform tan khaki or navy blue pants should still be worn. Senior boys who opt not to purchase and wear the Parker Uniform polo shirt, they must continue to wear the uniform oxford shirt and tie.
• No earrings, nose rings, tongue rings, eyebrow rings, etc., are permitted. A student in violation of this rule will be asked to remove any rings, posts, etc. immediately. Detentions may be given and any refusal to comply will result in the student being sent home until he is in compliance with the dress code. Unexcused absences may be recorded.
• Hair is to be well groomed, clean, and out of the eyes at all times. Boys’ hair should be moderate in length, not to exceed the bottom of the collar as judged by teachers and the administration. No ponytails are allowed.Height of hair is at the discretion of the administration. Boys must be clean shaven, but mustaches are permitted. Sideburns may not extend below earlobes.

GIRLS' UNIFORM

• The uniform skirt is a navy/red plaid available in three different styles: culottes, kilt, or hip-stitched pleat. The required skirt length can be no more than six (6) inches from the floor when kneeling (measured in the front and back, and on the sides). Skirts may not be rolled at any time in order to alter the length. No pins may be worn in a skirt. Senior girls will be allowed to wear khaki pants purchased from Parker Uniform in addition to the uniform skirt during the 2008-2009 school school year. Only khaki pants purchased from Parker Uniform may be worn. Belts must be worn with pants having belt loops; loops may not be cut off to avoid compliance with this policy. Belts with excessive length are not permitted. Senior girls who choose not to purchase these pants will wear the uniform skirt.
• Blouses must be white, long or short sleeve, oxford cloth, with a buttoned-down collar. Blouses must not be torn or frayed in any way, and may not have emblems or monogramming. Only the top button may be unbuttoned. Shirts are to fit appropriately. Any shirt determined by school officials to be too tight or otherwise inappropriate will result in the student receiving detention and being asked to change into a more appropriate shirt.
• Solid white, solid navy, charcoal gray or solid black socks or tights must be worn with the uniform. No patterns or designs are allowed on socks or tights. All socks must be at a length that extends well above the ankle bone when worn normally (this does not include short “shoe socks” stretched to temporarily cover the ankle bone).
• Rings and posts are permitted only through the ears. Pierced tongues, noses, eyebrows, etc., are prohibited. A student in violation of this rule will be asked to remove any rings, posts etc., immediately. Detentions may be given and any refusal to comply will result in the student being sent home until she is in compliance with the dress code. Unexcused absences may be recorded.
• Hair should be well groomed. Style and color must not be a distraction. No bandannas or scarves may be worn.

OUT OF UNIFORM DAY

• No shorts.
• Skirts must adhere to the uniform skirt length.
• Hats may be worn on campus and in the building. Hats worn in the classroom will be at the teacher’s discretion.
• The same guidelines for jewelry and earrings, nose rings, eye brow rings, and tongue rings apply.
• Boys may not wear earrings.
• No bare midriffs, low cut tops, or tight fitting apparel. Blouses or tops which expose the midriff when wearer is in any position may not be worn.
• No shirts with reference to alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drug use, inappropriate moral messages, racial, or prejudicial statements or inferences may be worn. This includes any use of the Confederate flag on clothing or apparel.
• No torn or ripped clothing (pants or shirts).
• Boys may not wear ponytails.
• Parents/Students are advised that when in doubt concerning appropriateness of clothing, err the side of conservative dress.