Bishop Noll Students: get ready to ditch your uniforms. Underclassmen: your dreams of how hot you’ll look in the maroon sweaters someday are crushed. It’s okay, though; don’t be sad. Change is good. Especially when it comes in the form of navy polos, cardigans, pinstriped dress shirts, and, the real kicker: skirts with polos for the summer uniform. That’s right. So long, pleated shorts! (They’re still an option in the new uniform, but for girls who want to change up their summer uniform wardrobe, this update offers new possibilities.)
BNI is finally getting new uniforms, but here’s the disclaimer: the changes are still being finalized. According to Mr. Craig Stafford, principal, the uniform colors will finally be aligned with BNI colors: blue and gold. Also, Stafford believes that the separation of uniform colors between upper and underclassmen is “an outdated practice”. All students, no matter what grade level, will have the same uniform with multiple options.
“Instituting changes allows us to sharpen our current image with an eye on our future,” Stafford said.
Girls will be allowed to wear a new skirt that is navy, white, and khaki checked during the summer and the winter. For the summer, the skirt will be paired with the new navy embroidered polo, which can be bought in a women’s cut. The option of khaki shorts will also be allowed. For the winter uniform, girls will wear their skirts or new fitted khaki pants with a white dress shirt and one of four different navy embroidered sweater options: a vest, a quarter zip pullover, a v-neck sweater, or the new cardigan. A new navy BNI tie with a pattern of the crest will be available for purchase at the school.
“My favorite part of the new uniform is the polo,” said sophomore Imani Manyfield, who modeled the winter uniform at freshman registration night. “The darker color looks nicer than the yellow and the fit of it is so much better.”
For the boys, the summer uniform will consist of khaki shorts and the navy embroidered polo. The boys’ winter uniform consists of new khaki pants with one of four navy embroidered sweater options: a vest, a quarter zip pullover, a v-neck sweater, or the cardigan. They will have the option of a blue pinstripe or white dress shirt. The new navy BNI tie will be available.
Currently, there are no major price change updates since the uniforms will still be provided by Dennis Uniforms, but the option to order the pieces online will possibly be made available at a future date.
A timeline is being put in place to phase in the new uniform next year. The seniors will be exempt from the changes unless they wish to purchase new items. Incoming freshmen will wear the complete new uniform. The sophomores and juniors will be a part of the phasing-in process; the only item that will not be phased in next year is the new skirt. However, the red sweaters will no longer be available to as an option for next year’s junior class.
More guidelines have been sent in a letter to BNI families.