Uniform & Non-Uniform Basics

Uniforms

To order uniforms, go to independentuniforms.com and enter our school code: SMES1959. You can also get your child’s uniforms at one of the PTO’s Recycled Uniform Sales, where almost all uniform items are only $5.00 each. The first sale of the 2022-23 school year will be at Orientation on August 17. There will be at least three more sales during the year. Make sure to check the SMES Uniform Guidelines before you shop! You can find the guidelines on the “New Family Information” page of the school website, the “Independent Uniforms” section of the parent portal page (after you log in), and the school’s handbook.

INSIDER TIP FOR ALL DIVISIONS

LABEL EVERYTHING. Put your child’s first and last name –not just their initials – in every sweatshirt, jacket, or coat they wear to school. They will lose them. And after a few weeks, unlabeled items in the school’s lost & found bins are donated, added to the Recycled Uniform Sale inventory, or thrown away.

INSIDER TIPS FOR EC (TODDLERS – KINDERGARTEN)

•Most girls wear the pique polo dresses or the jumper with the Peter Pan blouse. •EC students do not need PE uniforms or chapel uniforms. •For now, the school store does not have hooded sweatshirts small enough for most EC students. A youth small will fit some kindergarteners, though. •If you order a hoodie for your EC student, make sure to get a navy one. The gray sweatshirt is for middle schoolers only.

INSIDER TIPS FOR ES (1ST – 5TH) & MS (6TH –8TH)

•All ES & MS students (grades 1 – 8) need P.E. uniforms. •Only students in grades 4 – 8 need chapel uniforms. (First, second, and third graders DO NOT.) •The school store’s hooded sweatshirts are wildly popular, but remember: -ES students (1st – 5th) can ONLY wear navy hooded sweatshirts. -MS students (6th – 8th) can wear EITHER navy OR gray hooded sweatshirts. •MS girls can wear either navy or khaki skirts, but they almost universally prefer khaki. •Only 8th graders can wear the red polo shirt.

Non-Uniform Days

There are several “non-uniform” days throughout the school year. Some have a theme (e.g., “Football Friday,” “Baseball/Softball Jersey Day,” etc.), but most are “Spirit Days,” where kids can wear a SMES shirt or a shirt with SMES colors (red, white, or blue). We suggest getting a couple of SMES t-shirts from the school store now so you’ll be ready for Spirit Day. The school store link is on the school’s website under “Programs. ” In addition to the school-wide non-uniform days, there are a few grade- and division- specific non-uniform days throughout the year. For example, middle scholars dress up for spirit week, and the 100th day of school, first graders dress up as centenarians. Second graders have “Grinch Day” where they dress up as characters from Dr. Seuss’ s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Your child’s teacher will send information about these special non-uniform days. Trust us – you do not want to send your child to school in uniform on a non-uniform day (or vice versa)! To avoid the panic that comes when your child tells you the night before that he or she has to wear an Earth Day t-shirt to school, make sure you read The Weekly Warrior and check your child’s class website. A list of the school-wide 2022-23 non-uniform days follows below. Please keep in mind that this list is tentative and by no means exhaustive. Again, make sure to read the Weekly Warrior and your teacher website(s).

2022

September 9 Football Friday October 28 Spirit Day November 11 Patriotic Shirt December 9 Holiday Shirt

2023

February 10 Spirit Day February 14 Valentine’s Shirt March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Shirt April 3 Baseball/Softball Jersey April 14 Spirit Day