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Dress Code

As students of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Cardinal O’Hara students will follow and adhere to all general policies set forth by the Archdiocese and the local school.

 

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA GENERAL DRESS CODE POLICIES

Attention to personal appearance is an important part of the maturation process for young Catholic men and women. The school uniform expresses not only traditional values of economy, neatness and practicality, but also our unity as a community of believers and learners. A person's appearance is a reflection of self-image and is an indication of respect for oneself and others. The dress code promotes pride in personal appearance, pride in representing the student's school community, and pride in their being part of the Catholic school system. The dress code and uniform policy affirm the values of modesty and decency in keeping with the teachings of the Church and each local school community. Students are expected to be clean, well-groomed, and dressed appropriately at all times. Regulation school uniforms must be purchased through the official supplier of school uniforms for the Secondary School System, Flynn & O'Hara. Regulation shoes should be purchased from suppliers determined by the local school administration.

 

The administration at each local school is the final judge of adherence to or violations of the dress code and uniform policy.

  1. Students must be in full uniform by 7:50 AM. When there is a need to change clothes for school activities or work, students must use designated areas, such as locker rooms or bathrooms.
  2. Shirts and blouses must be tucked in, not worn outside the pants or skirts.
  3. If a student has a serious reason for not wearing the full school uniform on a given day, he/she must bring a note from a parent or doctor to the Student Services Office. If the situation is long-term, a note must be on file from the doctor or parent. The Assistant Principal for Student Services assigns the details of substitute dress.
  4. Sneakers or athletic shoes may not be worn. If the student is unable to wear the school shoe, another dress shoe must be purchased and a note must be on file from the doctor or parent. Examples of inappropriate substitute footwear include (but are not limited to): boots of any kind, sandals, flip-flops, shower shoes, slippers, and other casual shoes. Sneakers for gym class are worn only in the gym and only for the gym class itself.
  5. Students in Physical Education class must wear the gym outfit determined by the teacher of the course.
  6. In the case of field trips, spirit days, etc., the administration will determine the dress of the day for students.
  7. Extreme hairstyles or hair dyes (including two-toned hair styles) are not permitted for any student, male or female. Gentlemen are not permitted to wear ponytails, mohawks, fauxhawks, or extravagant shaved designs. For gentlemen, hair is to be no longer than the top of the collar. Young ladies may not wear excessive jewelry or make-up.
  8. No visible tattoos are permitted on any student. No visible body piercings are permitted on any student (except for one pair of earrings for the ladies). This includes piercing of the tongue, eyebrows, lips and/or nose.
  9. A student who violates the dress or hair code may receive demerits and remain out of school for a brief period until the situation has been corrected.
  10. Students representing the school at official functions must wear the regulation uniform.
  11. All female students must wear the regulation skirt. These can be no shorter than one to three inches above the knee. In addition to the skirts, ladies will wear an oxford cloth style blouse and a school sweater. Regulation shoes are to be worn with approved stockings, tights or knee highs. Only the top button of the blouse is to be unbuttoned.
  12. Where and when permitted, in the fall and spring months, students may wear a short-sleeved oxford blouse or school approved polo. Knee highs may be worn instead of the stockings or tights. No sport socks of any kind are permitted. If a t-shirt is worn under the polo shirt or blouse it is to be a solid, white, plain t-shirt with absolutely no printing, writing or pictures on it.
  13. The regulation shoe policy remains in effect during the entire school year. Sneakers, sandals or flip-flops are never permitted.

 

The following are additional dress regulations specific to Cardinal O’Hara:

 

MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS

  1. All students will follow the dress code regulations set forth by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
  2. All students, even those with early dismissal, must maintain the proper dress within the school until the end of eighth period. Outerwear is to be kept in the student’s locker.
  3. All students will participate in a daily dress code check during homeroom each morning.
  4. All clothing is expected to be clean, fit properly and be in good condition. Torn or damaged clothing must be repaired or replaced regardless of the amount of time remaining in the school year.
  5. Full head coverings are not permitted (hats, scarves, bandanas, headbands).

     6.There are to be no innovations to the uniform to alter or conform to current fashion.

  1. Hair should be neat, clean and well groomed. Color must be one that is found naturally on human beings. No unusual, extreme styles, exaggerated fashions, colors, or styles may be worn. This includes fashionable styles that may cause a distraction in school. This determination is made by the administration.
  2. The school sweater is the only option to be worn during any season. Unless authorized by the administration, even Cardinal O’Hara logo sweatshirts, hoodies, team jackets, etc. are not to be worn with the school uniform. EXCEPTION: ALL students may wear the official O’Hara fleece quarter-zip on Fridays all year unless the administration indicates it is a formal uniform day. On formal uniform days, only sweaters may be worn. Seniors may wear the O’Hara fleece daily except on formal days.
  3. Valid COHS I.D. and COHS lanyard should be visible around the student’s neck at all times.

 

 

MALE STUDENTS

  1. Solid khaki poly/cotton classic men’s pants (NOT khaki jeans, cargo or “skinny”, casual styles) with a conventional belt are required.
  2. Oxford cloth shirts in solid light blue or white with the official O’Hara neck tie (or solid navy/cardinal ties) must be worn. The shirt must be tucked in at the waist so the belt shows. Only a solid, white, plain t-shirt (no graphics or writing) may be worn under the Oxford shirt. Long sleeve t-shirts may not be visible.
  3. The official cardinal or navy school sweater must be worn during the designated times.
  4. Males must be clean shaven. This includes mustaches, goatees, beards, and long sideburns. Hair styles and length, including cultural variations, should not fall below the top of the shirt collar, nor be longer than 2 inches.
  5. Required shoes are tan “dirty buc oxford shoes”. They must be properly laced, tied, and have unaltered backs.
  6. Males may not wear earrings.

 

FEMALE STUDENTS

  1. Navy and red plaid wrap around skirt no shorter than three inches above the knee is required.
  2. Oxford cloth shirts in solid light blue or white must be worn. The shirt must be tucked in at the waist. Only a solid colored or plain white t-shirt (no graphics or writing) may be worn under the oxford shirt. Long sleeve t-shirts may not be visible.
  3. The official cardinal or navy school sweater must be worn during the designated times.
  4. Required shoes are tan “dirty buc oxford shoes”. They must be properly laced, tied, and have unaltered backs.

     5.Cardinal or dark blue tights must be worn.

  1. Earrings may be worn but should not be larger than a quarter or extend more than an inch below the ear.
  2. Headbands must be modest in width and design. Scarves, bandanas or any full head coverings are not permitted.

 

WARM WEATHER REGULATIONS

  1. Warm weather regulations are in effect at the opening of school until November and from April until the end of the school year. The administration will announce specific dates.
  2. The school sweater is NOT required in warm weather, but it is the only acceptable option to be worn during any season. Exceptions: O’Hara fleece quarter zip on Fridays/daily for seniors.
  3. Both male and female students may wear the optional official Cardinal O’Hara blue or cardinal golf shirt in place of the oxford shirt during warmer weather. Short and long sleeve options exist. Long sleeves may be worn in place of the short sleeve, but DO NOT replace the winter Oxford cloth shirt. Only a solid, white, plain t-shirt (no graphics or writing) may be worn under the golf shirt.
  4. Female students may wear navy or cardinal knee socks during the warm weather months. Peds, half socks, or athletic/crew socks are not permitted.

 

CASUAL DRESS/SPIRIT DAYS

Throughout the course of the year, casual/spirit attire will be permitted. The regulations will be set forth by the Office for Student Affairs. Clothing choices should reflect modesty and good taste. All clothing should be neat and clean. Students who do not comply with expectations will be liable for disciplinary action and/or the loss of privileges for future spirit days.

 

www.cohs.com/uniforms_boys/

www.cohs.com/uniforms_girls/

 

https://flynnohara.com/shop/cardinal-o-hara-high-school-pa521/