High School Functions

SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL FUNCTION

Sacred Heart School presentations and dances are events that reflect the philosophy of our school as influenced by the teachings of the Catholic Church, including teachings regarding modesty. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Purity requires  modesty. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden. It is order to chastity to whose sensitivity it bears witness… Modesty is decency. It inspires one’s choice of clothing. It is discreet… It keeps silence or reserve where there is evident risk or unhealthy curiosity. It is discreet…Teaching modesty of children and adolescents means awakening in them respect for the human person.”
In accordance with these teachings, all students must wear their school uniform when attending (but not limited to) Trojan Scholars, National Honor Society and Praise Team Inductions, Athletic Awards and Blessing of the Ring Ceremonies.

Sacred Heart School also sets forth the following guidelines for our students and theirdates when attending dances:

HOMECOMING
GIRLS

• The attire must be consistent with what is traditionally regarded as Church attire/ “dress clothes.”
• The neckline of a dress/top must be cut in a modest way. No plunging neckline and/or cleavage is allowed. Spaghetti-strap dresses or strapless dresses are not allowed.
• When standing, a shirt or skirt/dress must be no shorter than four inches from the top of the knee.Slits of a dress/skirt may be no higher than the knee. 
• Slits in an above- the-knee dress/skirt may be no higher than four inches from the knee.

BOYS

• The attire must be consistent with what is traditionally regarded as Church attire/ “dress clothes.”
• Dress pants with belts (Blue or colored jeans are not allowed.)
• Dress shoes
• Dress shirt

COTILLION
GIRLS

1. The neckline of a dress, top or gown must be cut in a modest way. No plunging neckline and/or cleavage is allowed. Spaghetti-strap dresses or strapless dresses are allowed as long as they are tasteful and not considered low cut.
2. The bodice of the dress cannot have any fabric “cut outs.” This includes openings covered with net-like, see-through or flesh- colored material.
3. The cut of the dress in the back must not be below the bra line, whether additional material is sewn onto the dress or not. In the case of lacing and/or material added in the back, the additional material must not be more than four inches in width.
4. The navel is not allowed to show.
5. When standing, the skirt/dress must be no shorter than four inches from the top of the knee.
6. Slits in a formal (long) dress/skirt may be no higher than the knee. Slits in an above-the-knee dress/skirt may be no higher than four inches from the knee.
7. Only Sacred Heart Senior girls are allowed to wear a white gown. 

BOYS
The dress attire is the same as Homecoming with the following exceptions:

1. A tie is required for grades 9-11.
2. A tuxedo, which is voted on by the Sacred Heart Senior boys, is required for the Seniors boys and underclassmen participating in the Cotillion Waltz. Only these Sacred Heart students are allowed to wear the selected tuxedo.

GUESTS
Female guests are not allowed to wear white gowns. Male guests may wear a tuxedo only if accompanying a Senior girl; however, the tuxedo may not be the same style as the one chosen by the 12^th grade boys.
If a Sacred Heart student or guest does not adhere to the dress code, he/she will not be allowed to enter the event. Sacred Heart Seniors in violation of the dress code will not be allowed to participate in the Cotillion promenade and dance.

BACCALAUREATE AND COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
All graduating Seniors are required to report to the gym at this time and remain on campus until dismissed. The students are required to wear their school uniform and adhere to the school dress code while in attendance. The administration reserves the right to dismiss any student from the practice if he/she is in violation of school rules. Any student who does not attend graduation practice or is asked to leave will NOT be allowed to take part in the Mass and exercise.

The dress code for the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercise is as follows: female graduates are required to wear a dress or skirt and black shoes according to the dress code policy. Shoes should be easy to walk in and comfortable enough to wear for an extended period of time. Male graduates, on the other hand, are required to wear dress pants, button-down shirt, tie and dress shoes. Tennis shoes are not allowed, and ties are mandatory.

HIGH SCHOOL DANCES
In accordance with the aim of providing students at Sacred Heart School with the opportunity for social activities on a school level, dances held at Sacred Heart are directed toward wholesome and proper recreation for young people who are of high school age. Admittance to school dances is based on the principle that those attending are rightfully under the authority of the school and can be made to adhere to all or any of the school rules deemed appropriate for such functions. Therefore, admittance to all Sacred Heart School dances will be for Sacred Heart students and their dates.
Students and/or their dates will not be allowed to leave before the dance ends (unless extenuating circumstances are present and authorization is received from administration or chaperone).
Rules for Students:

1. Students must attend the previous full day of school in order to attend the dance the following night.
2. Students who are serving a suspension during the time of the dance will  not be allowed to attend the next school dance.

3. Students are to enter the dance promptly when arriving onto campus.  Loitering in the parking lot will not be permitted.
4. Smoking, use of any tobacco and/or drinking will not be allowed at any  school function.
5. Food and/or drink will not be brought into the dance.
6. No student should have possession of alcohol on the school grounds and/or consumed alcohol prior to a dance or other school activity. All students and their dates are subject to various tests for alcohol use before admittance to, during, and after dances or other school activities.
7. Students attending any school function cannot violate any school rule  that they would have to adhere to during regular school hours.
8. If in the judgment of the chaperon(s), anyone is found to be intoxicated, in possession of alcohol or any other drug, they will refer to the alcohol and  drug policies in this handbook to determine their actions.
9. Students must wear appropriate attire as stated in the handbook.
10. Inappropriate displays of affection are not allowed at dances.
11. If a student or his/her date’s conduct merits removal from the dance or social function, the parent/guardian of the child will be notified. After the parents are notified, the child will remain at school until his/her parents arrive.
12. All dances are for Sacred Heart students and their dates only. However, elementary and/or junior high students from Sacred Heart or any other  school may not attend any high school dance.
13. Anyone who is not a Sacred Heart student must comply with all rules, as is expected of all Sacred Heart students.

PROCEDURES FOR CHAPERONES

1. A member(s) of the Administration and/or faculty will attend each function to be in charge and assist the chaperones.
2. Chaperones will have the authority to enforce all rules as designated.
3. For each particular function, there will be an adequate number (determined by the Administration) of chaperones.
4. Chaperones will be stationed at all exits of the gym, near the restrooms and will  meet 30 minutes before the scheduled event.
5. All chaperones must have up-to-date Safe Environment Certification.

SPRING COTILLION RULES

1. The Cotillion Tea will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. (on the day of the event)
2. The Cotillion Presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the senior line-up at 6:15 p.m.
3. Students will be subject to a breathalyzer test upon arrival at the gym for the Cotillion Presentation.
4. Students attending the presentation will not be allowed to leave until the end of the dance unless checked out personally and accompanied by a parent.
5. Individual pictures will be taken, the DJ will set up the equipment and the gym will be prepared for the dance at approximately 8:00 p.m. Students are not allowed to leave during this time (unless extenuating circumstances are present and authorization is received from a chaperone).
6. The DJ hired for the dance will play from 8:00 PM until 10:30 PM.
7. Students must comply with all rules for Sacred Heart School social functions.