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APPROPRIATE DRESS
Information for Parents and Students
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is committed to
making each and every one of its schools a caring place that
is safe for learning.
www.hwdsb.on.ca/programs/safeschools
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Why Appropriate Dress Expectations?
Appropriate dress is attire that is neat, clean,
suited to the learning task, and in keeping
with a safe, respectful learning environment.
Safe and respectful learning environments
allow both teaching and learning to occur.
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School
Board encourages students to take pride
in their physical appearance and to
support schools in their expectations of
appropriate student dress when attending
school and school functions. To promote
safe and respectful learning environments,
expectations for appropriate dress should
align with Board policies, and provincial and
federal legislation.
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H A M I LT O N - W E N T W O R T H D I S T R I C T S C H O O L B OA R D
Information about Appropriate Dress
for Parents and Students
General Expectations for Appropriate Dress
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Each school is required to develop and review expectations for appropriate
student dress.
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Principals shall lead the development of the school expectations for
appropriate dress in consultation with the Safe School Team, School Council,
and Student Council with input from Home and School, where applicable.
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The school administration is responsible to determine what dress is and is not
appropriate, in consultation with Committees note above.
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Collaboratively, schools may adopt the Board expectations.
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In the interest of safety, health, and good taste, appropriate dress should
be clean, neat and suited to the learning requirements and location of the
learning.
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Expectations for appropriate dress must be consistent with the Charter of
Rights and the Human Rights Code.
SAFE AND CARING SCHOOLS
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General Expectations for Appropriate Dress
Continued
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No clothing, hats, or jewelry will be worn that bears any of the following:
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sexual or racial comments,
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any representation of violence.
suggestive, offensive, or objectionable messages, any
representation or an advertisement for alcohol, drugs, or tobacco,
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Clothing that reveals underwear, navels or the midriff is not appropriate dress
for the learning environment. Skirts and shorts should be an appropriate
length for a workplace/learning environment. Skirts and shorts must be at
least the length of the student’s fingertips when arms are fully extended down
at one’s sides.
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Students may be removed from class if dress or appearance is inappropriate.
If a student is unable to modify his/her dress, parents will be called to bring
appropriate dress.
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Repeated failure to comply with school expectations for inappropriate
student dress will result in disciplinary consequences.
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Schools that wish to adopt a school uniform shall follow the school uniform
policy.
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H A M I LT O N - W E N T W O R T H D I S T R I C T S C H O O L B OA R D
Information about Appropriate Dress
for Parents and Students
Religious Attire
Religious attire is a requirement of religious
observation. It is not cultural dress. School
staff and communities need to be sensitive to
setting a climate of understanding and should
accommodate appropriate religious attire.
Where cultural dress presents a safety concern,
reasonable accommodations to the activity will
be made.
Some religious communities observe strict
modesty in attire. This can become a matter
of concern when students are asked to wear
brief clothing in Physical Education activities. If a family has concerns, the school
should discuss the modesty requirements and taking into consideration Ministry
mandated curriculum expectations and safety requirements, provide reasonable
accommodations. It may be necessary to provide curriculum alternatives.
SAFE AND CARING SCHOOLS
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Physical Education
Students must wear appropriate clothing to
participate safely in physical education classes.
Running shoes are a minimum requirement.
Shorts or sweat pants and t-shirt are examples of
appropriate clothing. For safety reasons, students
may be asked to remove jewelry, such as watches,
necklaces, or long earrings.
Technical Education/ Science Education/
Family Studies
Appropriate dress requirements will be followed to guard against accident or
injury while participating in certain activities in technological, science or other
lessons that include the operation of potentially dangerous equipment and/or
chemicals or substances. This includes the wearing of protective equipment such
as goggles, aprons, or securing long hair. Jewelry or pieces of clothing that could
be caught in equipment will need to be removed or secured to avoid mishap while
participating in the lesson. Non-slip and closed-toed shoes are optimal footwear
in these environments.
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H A M I LT O N - W E N T W O R T H D I S T R I C T S C H O O L B OA R D
Information about Appropriate Dress
for Parents and Students
Communication
Appropriate dress requirements should be provided to students and parents early
in the school year or at school orientations sessions. Publishing appropriate dress
requirements in the school newsletter, school agenda or planner, on the school
website are examples of communication strategies.
Review of the School Appropriate Dress
Expectations
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Principals, in consultation with School Councils and Student Councils
will review these expectations at a minimum, every three (3) years, and
communicate the expectations to parents and students on an annual basis.
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The process for review can include surveys, questionnaires, focus groups,
committees, student representations, Home and School input.
SAFE AND CARING SCHOOLS
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SAFE & CARING BOOKLET SERIES:
1. Code of Conduct
2. Progressive Discipline
3. Bullying
4. Suspension
5. Expulsion
6. Gateway
7. Appropriate Dress
8. Safe Arrival Check
9. Restorative Justice
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
Standard Life Building
120 King Street West, Suite 1120
Hamilton, ON L8P 4V2
905-527-5092
www.hwdsb.on.ca/programs/safeschools
A L L
S T U D E N T S
A C H I E V I N G
T H E I R
F U L L
P O T E N T I A L