St. Mary Catholic School In Partnership with Elder Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2021-2022 Supplier Transition

St. Mary Catholic School is pleased to announce the partnership with Elder Manufacturing Company, Inc. (Elderwear) as a single source of school uniforms supplier. With Elderwear, you’ll be able to enjoy ALL the following, but not limited to:

• Affordable pricing with FREE shipping & FREE returns. • A complete line school uniforms with consistent superior quality. • Available inventory year-round. • Conveniently ordering online in the comfort of your home. • Merchandise shipped directly to you.

Over the past year a uniform committee was formed consisting of four alumni of which are parents of current students, two current parents of students, the School Advisory Council, and school admin team to explore our school uniform policy, ordering, and styles. These meetings were productive and produced excitement to make changes. We are confident that these changes will be received with excitement to all our families as well. St. Mary will be transitioning gradually to achieve a consistent uniform by the start of the 2022 school year.

This gradual approach means that we encourage you to please use all current inventory your children are still able to wear that is in good condition during the 2021-2022 school year. Once it is time to buy new uniform clothes, please purchase directly from our new uniform website. Imagine any type of online shopping you do now: Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc., but from a specifically customized St. Mary School uniform store that includes pants, polos, jumpers, , P.E. wear, jackets, and provided by Elder Manufacturing. Please see FAQ at the end of this letter for more detailed information.

Exception to the Gradual Rollout: St. Mary will be implementing a Mass and Special Occasion Uniform beginning in the Fall of 2021. Mass attire will include: A unisex V-Neck or Cardigan sweater over a white, button up, oxford shirt. (This is optional for Preschool) This may be worn daily, but only mandatory on Mass or special occasions days. The school is prepared to assist families who may need financial support to purchase special occasions and Mass attire to begin the 2021 school year. Please contact the school for assistance.

Reasoning: Currently by definition St. Mary does not have a consistent school uniform attire program. St. Mary has a dress code that outlines requirements for colors with style modifications. • Using a phased approach, St. Mary wishes to provide parents and students with a true St. Mary School Uniform experience of the highest quality at an affordable price. • All students will be wearing clothing produced by one manufacturer and not from a variety of companies: such as Old Navy, Lands’ End, Walmart, etc. as is currently the case which will eliminate most all uniform code guideline issues in the school handbook. • Convenience • Consistency • Quality • Durability and cost-effectiveness • New and future families will have better guidance and understanding of the uniform.

Page 1 of 3 FAQ St. Mary Catholic School Uniform Transition.

Q: Why is St. Mary switching to this model of purchasing uniforms online from a single vendor? • Uniform consistency (fit, colors, shades, etc.) in all grades. • Items come in all size ranges (Youth and Adult). • Eliminates any gray area when shopping with your children. • The cost and quality comparison of items is phenomenal-We are buying directly from the Manufacturer. • Year-round, consistent pricing that includes shipping and free returns. • The price you see is the price at checkout.

Q: Is Sales Tax included in the price at check? A: Currently, Washington state online sales tax does not apply. Therefore, the price at checkout is your final price for the merchandise. If / when the tax law in Washington changes and that we must apply online sales tax, then we will apply the sales tax accordingly.

Q: Who and What is Elder Manufacturing? A: Elder Manufacturing, founded in 1916, is a clothing manufacturer specializes in school uniforms. Elder distributes a complete line of quality school uniforms to retailers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. St. Mary will be their first school to have an online store customized specifically for the school by Elder.

Q: How did we hear about Elderwear? A: Trinity Catholic School in Spokane has used Elderwear, but without an online store over the past two years and will be using the same model as St. Mary next year.

Q: When will St. Mary convert over to only accepting uniforms purchased from Elder Manufacturing? A: September of 2022. Until then, please use your personal inventory on hand.

Q: What if a St. Mary family needs financial support to purchase the Mass and Special Occasions attire for September 2021 or the uniforms from Elder Manufacturing? A: St. Mary is committed to supporting families who need financial support. Please contact the office to discuss your circumstances.

Q: Will St. Mary continue the Uniform Exchange with the new uniform changeover? A: Yes and No. We will always have a limited supply of new and used items on hand. Beginning in June of 2022, we will only accept used sweaters, skorts, and jumpers, and clean oxfords to be dropped off. However, we will be creating a St. Mary Web Based Marketplace where families can trade and donate clothing internally with each other and through the uniform coordinator.

Q: Will there be a wide selection of sizes? A: Yes, Elderwear is the manufacturer so they can make any size if necessary, even custom, for an added cost. We hope to also have some in-house volunteers who would be willing to do length alterations in the near future

Q: What are the next steps we need to take? A: You will receive a welcome packet with ordering instructions, price list, and images of the items by June 10th.

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School Uniform Program (Clothing and Colors): Category Color Age / Grade Gender

Khaki (KHK) 7th - 8th Grades Boys & Girls

Pants / Shorts Navy (NVY) Boys & Girls All grades Dark Navy (DNY) Girls

Green (GRN)

Polos Navy (NVY) All grades Boys & Girls

White (WHT)

MASS ATTIRE

V-Neck/Cardigan Sweaters Navy (NVY) All grades Boys & Girls (Embroidered Logo)

Boys Oxford-button-up formal shirt for White (WHT) All grades under the sweater Girls

Jumper-See attached Plaid Plaid 80 3yr-old – 5th grades Girls

Skort-See attached Plaid Plaid 80 All grades Girls

P.E. (OUTERWEAR)

Athletic Pants Navy (NVY) All grades Boys & Girls

Athletic Shorts Navy (NVY) K-8th grade Boys & Girls

T-Shirt (Screen Print Logo) Heather (HTR) All grades Boys & Girls

½ Zip Performance Jacket Navy (NVY) All grades Boys & Girls

Full-Zip Microfleece Jacket Navy (NVY) All grades Boys & Girls (Embroidered Logo)

Full-Zip Performance Jacket Navy (NVY) All grades Boys & Girls (Embroidered Logo)

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