Parent/Student Handbook
Welcome to the Shawnee Mission Christian School Parent / Student Handbook. We thank you for enrolling
your students with Shawnee Mission Christian School. This handbook is on the SMCS website,
smcschool.com. There is also information on the history, associations, mission statement, statement of
faith, and tuition and fees of SMCS.
your students with Shawnee Mission Christian School. This handbook is on the SMCS website,
smcschool.com. There is also information on the history, associations, mission statement, statement of
faith, and tuition and fees of SMCS.
Dress Code
Students of Shawnee Mission Christian School will abide by the following guidelines and requirements for school dress. Although dress style and other personal standards in and of themselves do not denote spirituality, no aspect of the Christian testimony is as obvious as that which relates to appearance. While we realize that the Bible does not specifically tell us how we should dress or how our hair should be cut, it does give us some principles to apply. In light of these principles, we are setting the institutional standards for our school. It is not our intention to say that a Christian who does not meet our standards is sinning, but only that our students must meet the standards in order for us to be consistent in our enforcement. General Scriptural guidelines for dress are:
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Clothing should be neat, clean, in good repair, and modestly fitted. If an article of clothing needs repeated attention—pulling down, pulling up, readjusting— to meet dress code guidelines, then that item is NOT in dress code. Parents have the primary responsibility in teaching students to live by standards of Scripture. Parents are responsible to send their children to school with correct dress and grooming. Students will be counseled privately about violations in dress code and will be sent home to change into acceptable attire or be required to call home for parents to bring a change of clothing. An unexcused absence will be issued for time away from school to make necessary changes. Because of rapidly changing fashions, the administration reserves the right to adjust dress standards as necessary and to determine if dress or appearance is not appropriate and acceptable as per established standards.
ELEMENTARY
Kindergarten-3rd Grade
Girls may wear skirts, dresses, or jumpers that are knee length and should wear shorts or leggings under their dresses for modesty’s sake. Girls are permitted to wear slacks, jeans, or sweat pants. Shorts alone may be worn only on designated field trips. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). Tennis shoes, dress shoes and sandals with back straps are allowed. No flip flops.
Boys may wear slacks, jeans, or sweat pants. Belts are not required. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). No tank tops are allowed. Shorts may be worn only on designated field trips. Dress shoes and tennis shoes are allowed. Hairstyles should be kept trimmed, neatly combed, out of the eyes, off the ears, and off the collar.
4th–6th Grade
Girls: Skirts or dresses should be to the knee or longer. Girls may wear shorts or leggings under their dresses for modesty’s sake on the playground. “Uniform” slacks that are loose-fitting, not form-fitting may be worn. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). Tanks tops are NOT allowed. No low cut or see-through garments. Tennis shoes are allowed. Hats/hoods and sunglasses may not be worn during school hours. Make-up should be worn with discretion. More than two piercings in the ears or excessive jewelry is not allowed (no nose or navel piercing, etc.). Hair is to be kept neatly combed and clean. Extreme hair (style, dyes, etc.) are to be avoided.
Boys: Dress pants and jeans are acceptable as long as they look nice and aren’t overly faded. Pants should have the proper fit (not tight or sagging). Pants are to be worn at the waist – if the pants are too loose to stay up, a belt must be worn. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). No undershirt T-shirts or tank tops. Hairstyles should be kept trimmed, neatly combed, out of the eyes, off the ears, and off the collar. (No extreme hairstyle or hair coloring). No facial hair. Only jewelry such as a watch, ring, and simple chain necklace with small pendant may be worn. No piercings, large pendant necklaces, or excessive jewelry. Dress shoes and tennis shoes are allowed. Hats/hoods and sunglasses may not be worn during school hours.
JUNIOR HIGH/SENIOR HIGH
Young Ladies: Clothing should not be tight/form fitting. Skirts/dresses should be to the knees or longer. NO slits above the knee or skirts/dresses that “ride up” at any time. Leggings/pants that fit like leggings should not be worn at any time unless worn under skirts/dresses (this includes physical activities). “Uniform” style pants that are loose-fitting may be worn. No blue jeans. No holey or overly faded clothing. Business casual/dressy tops/t-shirts that are loose-fitting with a high neckline and that covers the midriff. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). No low cut, see-through garments, or visible undergarment straps. No tank tops, crop tops, large open “keyhole” in the back neckline unless completely covered, or peek-a-boo shoulder tops that do not start at the shoulder. Make-up should be worn with discretion. More than two piercings in the ears or excessive jewelry is not allowed (no nose or navel piercing, etc.). Hair is to be kept neatly combed and clean. Extreme hair (style, dyes, etc.) are to be avoided. Hats/hoods and sunglasses may not be worn during school hours. Dress shoes, athletic (tennis) shoes, sandals are acceptable—sandals with toe separators must have back strap for safety’s sake (No flip-flops). No tattoos are allowed.
Young Men: Dress pants and jeans are acceptable as long as they look nice and aren’t overly faded. Pants should have the proper fit (not tight or sagging). Pants are to be worn at the waist – if the pants are too loose to stay up, a belt must be worn. No pants that are frayed/torn, ripped, or excessively long or baggy. Dress shirts/collared shirts are acceptable. Shirts are to be buttoned appropriately. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts that are neat and well-kept are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). No undershirt T-shirts or tanks tops. Hair is to be kept neatly combed and clean. Hair must be off the ears, collar, and eyebrows. Extreme styling (i.e. man buns and pinned up hair) and dyed hair should be avoided. Male students should be clean-shaven. No facial hair or sideburns beyond the middle of the earlobe. Only jewelry such as a watch, ring, and simple chain, or necklace with small pendant may be worn. No piercings, large pendant necklaces, or excessive jewelry. Casual and dress shoes, athletic (tennis) shoes are acceptable (No flip-flops). Hats/hoods (or the like) and sunglasses may not be worn during school hours. No tattoos are allowed.
DRESS CODE FOR GAME DAYS
For those participating in sports
Coaches and administration designated
DRESS CODE FOR SCHOOL EVENTS
Dress code principles apply for all school events.
- Modesty (I Timothy 2:9; II Timothy 2:22)
- Distinction (Deuteronomy 22:5; I Corinthians 11:14 – 15)
- Identification with the Lord and not with the world (I Timothy 4:12; Romans 12: 1 –2; I John 2: 15 – 17)
- Appropriate dress for the occasion.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Clothing should be neat, clean, in good repair, and modestly fitted. If an article of clothing needs repeated attention—pulling down, pulling up, readjusting— to meet dress code guidelines, then that item is NOT in dress code. Parents have the primary responsibility in teaching students to live by standards of Scripture. Parents are responsible to send their children to school with correct dress and grooming. Students will be counseled privately about violations in dress code and will be sent home to change into acceptable attire or be required to call home for parents to bring a change of clothing. An unexcused absence will be issued for time away from school to make necessary changes. Because of rapidly changing fashions, the administration reserves the right to adjust dress standards as necessary and to determine if dress or appearance is not appropriate and acceptable as per established standards.
ELEMENTARY
Kindergarten-3rd Grade
Girls may wear skirts, dresses, or jumpers that are knee length and should wear shorts or leggings under their dresses for modesty’s sake. Girls are permitted to wear slacks, jeans, or sweat pants. Shorts alone may be worn only on designated field trips. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). Tennis shoes, dress shoes and sandals with back straps are allowed. No flip flops.
Boys may wear slacks, jeans, or sweat pants. Belts are not required. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). No tank tops are allowed. Shorts may be worn only on designated field trips. Dress shoes and tennis shoes are allowed. Hairstyles should be kept trimmed, neatly combed, out of the eyes, off the ears, and off the collar.
4th–6th Grade
Girls: Skirts or dresses should be to the knee or longer. Girls may wear shorts or leggings under their dresses for modesty’s sake on the playground. “Uniform” slacks that are loose-fitting, not form-fitting may be worn. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). Tanks tops are NOT allowed. No low cut or see-through garments. Tennis shoes are allowed. Hats/hoods and sunglasses may not be worn during school hours. Make-up should be worn with discretion. More than two piercings in the ears or excessive jewelry is not allowed (no nose or navel piercing, etc.). Hair is to be kept neatly combed and clean. Extreme hair (style, dyes, etc.) are to be avoided.
Boys: Dress pants and jeans are acceptable as long as they look nice and aren’t overly faded. Pants should have the proper fit (not tight or sagging). Pants are to be worn at the waist – if the pants are too loose to stay up, a belt must be worn. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). No undershirt T-shirts or tank tops. Hairstyles should be kept trimmed, neatly combed, out of the eyes, off the ears, and off the collar. (No extreme hairstyle or hair coloring). No facial hair. Only jewelry such as a watch, ring, and simple chain necklace with small pendant may be worn. No piercings, large pendant necklaces, or excessive jewelry. Dress shoes and tennis shoes are allowed. Hats/hoods and sunglasses may not be worn during school hours.
JUNIOR HIGH/SENIOR HIGH
Young Ladies: Clothing should not be tight/form fitting. Skirts/dresses should be to the knees or longer. NO slits above the knee or skirts/dresses that “ride up” at any time. Leggings/pants that fit like leggings should not be worn at any time unless worn under skirts/dresses (this includes physical activities). “Uniform” style pants that are loose-fitting may be worn. No blue jeans. No holey or overly faded clothing. Business casual/dressy tops/t-shirts that are loose-fitting with a high neckline and that covers the midriff. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). No low cut, see-through garments, or visible undergarment straps. No tank tops, crop tops, large open “keyhole” in the back neckline unless completely covered, or peek-a-boo shoulder tops that do not start at the shoulder. Make-up should be worn with discretion. More than two piercings in the ears or excessive jewelry is not allowed (no nose or navel piercing, etc.). Hair is to be kept neatly combed and clean. Extreme hair (style, dyes, etc.) are to be avoided. Hats/hoods and sunglasses may not be worn during school hours. Dress shoes, athletic (tennis) shoes, sandals are acceptable—sandals with toe separators must have back strap for safety’s sake (No flip-flops). No tattoos are allowed.
Young Men: Dress pants and jeans are acceptable as long as they look nice and aren’t overly faded. Pants should have the proper fit (not tight or sagging). Pants are to be worn at the waist – if the pants are too loose to stay up, a belt must be worn. No pants that are frayed/torn, ripped, or excessively long or baggy. Dress shirts/collared shirts are acceptable. Shirts are to be buttoned appropriately. SMCS/church/sports type t-shirts that are neat and well-kept are acceptable (no secular bands, offensive political/social slogans or verbiage, etc.). No undershirt T-shirts or tanks tops. Hair is to be kept neatly combed and clean. Hair must be off the ears, collar, and eyebrows. Extreme styling (i.e. man buns and pinned up hair) and dyed hair should be avoided. Male students should be clean-shaven. No facial hair or sideburns beyond the middle of the earlobe. Only jewelry such as a watch, ring, and simple chain, or necklace with small pendant may be worn. No piercings, large pendant necklaces, or excessive jewelry. Casual and dress shoes, athletic (tennis) shoes are acceptable (No flip-flops). Hats/hoods (or the like) and sunglasses may not be worn during school hours. No tattoos are allowed.
DRESS CODE FOR GAME DAYS
For those participating in sports
Coaches and administration designated
DRESS CODE FOR SCHOOL EVENTS
Dress code principles apply for all school events.
