COSSOTMIDDLESCHOOL(Gr.7‐8)
INFORMATIONFORPARENTSandSTUDENTS
WhatisCOSSOT?
COSSOT is a coalition of single sex independent schools in the
greater Toronto area. Member schools include Bishop Strachan,
BranksomeHall,Crescent,HavergalCollege,RoyalSt.Georges,St.
Clement’s, St. Andrew’s College, St. Mildred’s, Sterling Hall,
Trafalgar Castle, Upper Canada College and St. Michael’s College
School. A Head of Middle School or Middle School Coordinator
representseachschoolinthecoalition.Togetherweplanavariety
of age appropriate events and determine guidelines for these
activities.AllMiddleSchoolCOSSOTeventsarefullysupervisedby
staffandprefectsfromparticipatingschools.Inanefforttoensureconsistency,studentsatallMiddle
School COSSOT events are expected to adhere to the Dress Code, Behaviour Code and Dance
Guidelines. PurposeofCOSSOTEvents
Inplanningtheseevents,oneoftheobjectivesattheMiddleSchoollevelistoprovideopportunitiesfor
studentstomeetandsocializewithotherstudentsfromavarietyofschools.Thenumberofstudents
abletoattendeacheventvaries,andasaresult,eachparticipatingschoolisallottedapredetermined
number of ‘spots’. Often, we have more interest than spots and, therefore, must place limits on the
numberofgirlswhoattend.Effortismadetoensurethateachgirlisabletoattendatleastoneevent,
ifshesochooses.AllstudentsareabletoattendthedanceheldatHavergalCollege. PermissionForms
Allstudentsrequireparental/guardianpermissioninordertoattendaCOSSOTevent.Theprivilegeof
attendingaCOSSOTeventdependsuponstudentstakingresponsibilityforpicking‐upandreturninga
completed permission form as well as adhering to expectations of COSSOT in terms of dress and
behaviouratevents.PermissionformswillbemadeavailableintheMiddleSchool/AdmissionsOffice
priortoeacheventandshouldbereturnedtothesameofficebythedeadlinestatedoneachpermission
form. DressCodeforall“Non‐Uniform”COSSOTEvents
Thestandardofdressis“SmartCasual”.SmartcasualDOESNOTINCLUDE: •
Sweatpants •
Rippedpantsortops •
Undergarmentsshowing •
Pantswornbelowthehips •
Midriffshowing •
Spaghettistrap/lowcuttop/haltertop/tanktop/tubetop(studentsmustcovershoulders) •
Length of skirts and shorts must reach to fingertips of extended arms StudentsnotadheringtothedresscodewillbeaskedtochangeorwearaschoolT‐shirtprovidedby
theschool’steacher/supervisor.Ifthestudentdoesnotwishtochangeorweartheclothingprovided,
theymaygohome(withparentalpermission)orsitinadesignatedareauntiltheactivityisover. Cont/…2… BehaviorCodeforallCOSSOTEvents
Appropriate behaviour is expected of all students at all times. The following is a list of behaviours expected from
all students attending a COSSOT event. •
Be civil and kind with your remark and always converse in a mature and responsible way. •
Always be mindful, courteous and considerate of others. •
It is of the utmost importance that you learn to take responsibility for yourself and your actions.
Remember, you are an ambassador for your school. If there is a behaviour problem, the staff supervisor in attendance from his/her school will make a decision
regarding consequences or any discipline required. Dance Guidelines and Expectations Many COSSOT events are dances and this type of event requires specific guidelines and student expectations. 
Participating schools are predetermined by COSSOT Middle School Coordinators/Middle School Heads. 
Each participating school will distribute permission forms with details for the dance in advance. 
Each participating school is allotted a limited number of participants and each school determines how
individuals will be selected. 
Students may not invite personal guests to COSSOT Middle School dances. 
Students who are on the list but not able to attend the dance must inform their school coordinator/Head prior to
the event if possible. 
The list of students who purchased tickets will be at the entrance to the dance and only these students will be
allowed to attend the dance. NOTE: we are concerned about your child’s safety – if a student shows up at a dance whose
name is not on the list, their parent(s) will be contacted immediately. If parents cannot be
reached then the student will go to a supervised room and remain until parents can be
contacted or the dance ends. 
Once the dance has started there is a ‘closed door’ policy and participants are not allowed to re-enter the dance
after leaving. 
NO knapsacks are allowed into the dance area. 
NO food or drink allowed into the dance area. 
NO cell phones or cameras allowed in the dance area. You are welcome to use both in a public space
OUTSIDE of the dance area. 
Any dancing deemed to be inappropriate by the supervisors, will result in the student being sent home from the
dance. Remember, ALL students and supervisors need to feel comfortable at a dance.