1. What is the direction of the TCDSB with regard to dress code in elementary schools?

It is the intent of the Toronto Catholic District School Board to revise the Dress Code for Pupils Policy S.S.07 to coincide with the implementation of an Appropriate Dress Code in all of our elementary schools by September 2011. The Appropriate Dress Code consists of any combination of white and navy blue garments (i.e., plain white top, navy blue bottom; navy blue top and bottom; no denim).

2. What are the noted advantages of the Appropriate Dress Code?

There are many noted advantages to implementing an Appropriate Dress Code.

a. Promotes school safety. b. Promotes inclusiveness and equality and helps to reduce social con�ict.c. Encourages students to focus on academics rather than their wardrobe.d. Promotes the Catholic school identity.e. Simpli�es morning routine for students and parents.f. Is economical, gives parents choice and �exibility.g. Provides consistency in dress code policy at the elementary and secondary level.h. Eases transition from elementary school to secondary school as students will already be accustomed to

the uniformity of dress.

3. What sources of information guided the TCDSB’s decision to move toward an Appropriate Dress Code?

Various sources of information helped to inform the TCDSB’s direction on dress code.

It was resolved by a motion from the Board of Trustees, at the Meeting of the Human Resources, Program and Religious A�airs Committee on December 3, 2007, that sta� would determine the impact of implementing a Uniform Dress Code in all elementary schools in our Board. TCDSB conducted a thorough exploration between January 2008 and February 2009 that included: a survey of all elementary schools asking what type of dress code was in place and when the community was last consulted on dress code; a survey of a large sample of parents/guardians; a review of the literature on the impact of uniforms in schools; a review of dress code polices and practices in GTA Boards; a review of cost considerations; and focus groups to glean lessons learned from TCDSB elementary schools with Appropriate and Uniform dress codes.

While we recognize that at the outset, there may not be consensus on this topic among all parents/guardians of the approximately 61,279 elementary students that we serve, there is a strong belief that this direction is in the best interest of the Toronto Catholic District School Board students and community.

4. Why is the direction to adopt an Appropriate Dress Code rather than a Uniform?

An Appropriate Dress Code was selected over the Uniform Dress Code due to the lower cost, greater retail availability and greater choice and �exibility. (If a school community is interested in a Uniform Dress Code, this option is available at the local school level.)

QUESTIONSAND

ANSWERSA Resource for Parents/Guardians

APPROPRIATE DRESS CODE INITIATIVE IN TCDSB ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

5. How did the TCDSB decide on the colours navy blue and white?

The colours navy blue and white are consistent with the current Dress Code policy. After consulting with schools that currently operate with an Appropriate or Uniform Dress Code, it was con�rmed that garments in these colours (navy blue and white) are readily available at a wide range of retailers in your community.

6. What garments may students wear?

Dress items could include the following: shorts, skorts, skirts, dresses, pants, cargo/capri pants, golf shirts, blouses, dress shirts, T-shirts.

7. When is this initiative expected to be fully implemented in all elementary schools?

By September 2011. TCDSB recognizes that di�erent school communities are at di�erent stages of readiness for this initiative. The September 2011 date provides ample opportunity for local school communities to communicate, collaborate and embrace this initiative. It is the TCDSB’s direction that schools implement the Appropriate Dress Code in a manner that is mindful of the uniqueness of each school community. In some communities, implementing the Appropriate Dress Code in 2009 - 2010 is a �tting start.

8. If my school currently has a Uniform or Appropriate Dress Code, what are the implications of the Appropriate Dress Code initiative on my school?

There are currently 50 schools operating with an Appropriate and/or Uniform Dress Code. These schools are not required to alter their dress code policy. Principals may consider inviting members of these schools to share practices that facilitate the successful implementation of the Appropriate Dress Code. A list of the 50 schools is available on the website at: http://www.tcdsb.org/csac/dresscode.htm

9. What is the current TCDSB dress code policy?

TCDSB Dress Code for Pupils Policy S.S. 07 is the current policy governing student dress. The policy outlines three types of dress code: General Dress Code, Uniform Dress Code and Appropriate Dress Code. General Dress Code refers to general rules governing acceptable clothing for schools (e.g., no halter tops). Uniform Dress Code refers to speci�c dress items that must be purchased from a speci�c uniform supplier. Appropriate Dress Code refers to clothing with a prescribed colour scheme.

10. What are the dress code options that CSAC or another school level committee may decide locally?

The dress code options that may be decided locally include:

• Dress details (e.g., collar or no collared shirts)• Inclusion and colour of over-garments (e.g., vests)• School crests• Gym attire• Accessories• Implementation of a Uniform Dress Code within the required colours for the entire school community

or as an available option to families.

11. What consideration is given to families of students with special needs?

Schools will make every e�ort to accommodate children with special needs with regard to the Appropriate Dress Code. These accommodations will be determined on an individual basis and may include speci�c fabrics, a di�erent pacing of implementation, modi�cations to garments, etc.

2 APPROPRIATE DRESS CODE INITIATIVE IN TCDSB ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - RESOURCE FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS

12. What consideration is given to families who might feel �nancially burdened by this initiative?

TCDSB is sensitive to the �nancial needs of families. A major advantage of the Appropriate Dress Code is that the clothing is economical. The decision to opt for an Appropriate rather than Uniform Dress Code in the elementary panel is largely the result of its cost-e�ectiveness. Enabling families to purchase the navy blue and white garments at any retailer (rather than specifying a supplier), provides families with choice and �exibility. Parents and sta� at TCDSB elementary schools with an Appropriate Dress Code have a�rmed the cost savings of this approach and that the appropriate dress items help to unify rather than distinguish students of di�erent socio-economic backgrounds. Members of these schools have also shared a number of strategies to further support families:

• Organize gently used clothing exchanges by collecting appropriate dress items from a partnering school or older students.

• Inform teaching sta� of the availability of emergency funds to assist those families most in need of support with the Appropriate Dress Code.

• Explore arrangements with local suppliers and retailers.

13. What supports are available to assist your school community with the Appropriate Dress Code initiative?

There are a number of supports available to assist your school community:

• The Appropriate Dress Code Central Committee was struck to work out the details of the implementation of the Appropriate Dress Code initiative in all TCDSB elementary schools.

• The February 25, 2009 report to the Supervision Team (The Board) provides background information regarding the initiative, describes the various sources of information that have informed the TCDSB’s direction and outlines the recent recommendations of the Board regarding the Appropriate Dress Code initiative. The Appendices of this report provides detailed information regarding the positive impact of school uniforms from the literature, dress code policies of GTA school boards, the names of the TCDSB schools currently operating with an Appropriate or Uniform Dress Code, their lessons learned and cost considerations.

• A Question and Answer document for Principals/Vice Principals, CSAC Chairs and CPIC representatives. • This parent pamphlet containing commonly asked questions regarding the Appropriate Dress Code

initiative.• A sample letter to parents/guardians and a newsletter insert will be provided to schools. • A webpage has been developed to house and provide access to documents regarding the Appropriate

Dress Code initiative: www.tcdsb/csac/dresscode.htm.• Key communications to parents/guardians will be translated. • Over the years, the 49 TCDSB elementary schools with the Uniform or Appropriate Dress code in place

have devised various strategies to promote a uni�ed school approach. Schools may consider inviting the principals of these schools to share lessons learned from their experience of implementing the dress code. Schools may also consider inviting parents and sta� from these schools to speak at a local meeting to consult and also share lessons learned.

14. How are the views of the TCDSB community represented?

The Appropriate Dress Code Central Committee is comprised of a cross-section of trustees, central sta�, parents and teachers with experience in both uniformed and non-uniformed schools. Parent representation is greatest on the committee to help ensure that the varied views of our parent community are shared and heard.

APPROPRIATE DRESS CODE INITIATIVE IN TCDSB ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - RESOURCE FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS 3

15. If parents/guardians or students have concerns, questions or comments about the Appropriate Dress Code initiative, who is to address them? Parents/guardians or students should contact the school Principal/Vice Principal or CSAC/CPIC Chair to share concerns, questions or comments about the Appropriate Dress Code initiative.

For further information about the Appropriate Dress Code initiative, please consult our website: www.tcdsb.org/csac/dresscode.htm.

Prepared by The Appropriate Dress Code Central Committee

Ann Perron, Director of EducationAngela Kennedy, Chair of the Board

Winter 2009

© TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD, 200980 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario M2N 6E8

Phone: 416-222-8282 www.tcdsb.org

APPROPRIATE DRESS CODE INITIATIVE IN TCDSB ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - RESOURCE FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS

TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDTRUSTEES 2009 - 2010

Wards

1. Joseph Martino 416-512-34012. Ann Andrachuk, Vice Chair 416-512-34023. Sal Piccininni 416-512-34034. Mary Cicogna 416-512-34045. Maria Rizzo 416-512-34056. Rob Davis 416-512-34067. John Del Grande 416-512-34078. Mary Ann Robillard 416-512-34089. Catherine LeBlanc-Miller 416-512-340910. Barbara Poplawski 416-512-341011. Angela Kennedy, Chair 416-512-341112. Paul John Crawford, Honorary Treasurer 416-512-3412 Connor Rollit, Student Trustee 416-512-3413