Dear MPCS High School Families, 

As we look ahead to the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, we would like to inform families of an impending high school dress code change, as well as provide background information and the rationale for these adjustments.

Beginning in 2021-2022, all high school students in grades 9-12 must wear a new school-approved black blazer on Tuesdays as part of chapel wear. This will apply to both male and female students. The blazers will be available for purchase through the Eagles Nest only (required for high school, but optional for younger grades). They are machine washable. For boys, the school seal adornment can include a pin-on option which is removable so that the blazer may be worn to other functions, such as a wedding. Only boys are required to wear the official MPCS chapel tie.

To provide you important details about the background and rationale for these dress code policy changes and the rollout of the new chapel blazers in 2021-2022, please read the explanation below.
Before the Christmas break prior to the pandemic, the Student Government Association asked if they could meet with the administration to discuss the school's current dress code policies. A sub-committee of SGA student officers met with the high school administration, seeking guidance on how best to broach a potential change to the school's outerwear policies.
 
The SGA sub-committee then met with the marketing and communications department, as well as the administrations of the lower and middle schools. Students also held conversations with Head of School Dr. Wiens, centered around the students' desire to represent the brand of MPCS well, while creating options for more comfortable outerwear.
 
As the SGA representatives proposed their idea to allow high school students (only) to wear MPCS/MPC logoed outerwear, including hoodies daily (with the exception of chapel days). SGA accepted the administration's counter-proposal to institute a blazer as part of chapel wear. Students recognized that chapel is a day of corporate worship meant to be set apart from other days of the week. They also understood the administration's desire to have an "elevated" look for events, tour days, potential athletic travel days, and other special occasions.
 
These dress code changes were set to be instituted in the fall of this current school year, but then COVID-19 hit our world. Therefore, for 2020-2021, we decided to proceed in allowing students to wear comfortable MPC logoed outerwear without requiring blazers on chapel day as a friendly gesture amid all the hardships of this year. Looking ahead, blazers will become part of the high school dress code policy for next school year as a result. Lower and middle school dress code and outerwear requirements will not change. Thank you for your support and understanding!

The Eagles Nest has a full set of youth, mens, and ladies' cut blazers available for try-on. We highly recommend you send your student by the school store to select an appropriate size. All orders will be taken using the online form. Blazer orders are due by April 30!





Blessings,
 
Tawanna Rusk
Head of High School and Assistant Head of School
Mount Paran Christian School
770-578-0182