Niagara Catholic District School Board

DRESS CODE – SECONDARY UNIFORM POLICY

(Safe Schools)

ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

300 – Schools/Students

Policy No 302.6.6

Adopted Date: June 26, 2001

Latest Reviewed/Revised Date: June 17, 2024

The secondary uniform requirements and expectations will be communicated annually to all families through school agendas, newsletters, school websites or correspondence from the school principal.

1. As part of the secondary uniform, secondary students are required to wear specific Physical Education clothing items for all Health and Physical Education courses as determined by the school principal.

2. Alternate Dress Days, to a maximum of 10 days per school year, excluding specialized charity events, as determined by the school principal, for specific events or activities, will be communicated in advance to students and parents/guardians. Clothing must be appropriate and respectful, and must not display any sign, symbol or phrase which is directed at an individual, group/culture or which contains an offensive or inappropriate message or slogan. Shirts must cover from shoulders to hips; skirts, shorts, and dresses must be of a length that is respectful and suitable for a school environment. Any item of clothing that is excessively short or revealing, ripped, torn or with holes is not permitted.

3. A written request from parents/guardians for modifications to the secondary student uniform items to meet the individual/sensory needs of a student will be approved by the principal/vice-principal and reviewed annually.

SECONDARY STUDENT UNIFORM COMPLIANCE

1. Compliance with the Dress Code-Secondary Uniform Governance Policy and Administrative Operational Procedures is a condition of registration and attendance at a Niagara Catholic secondary school.

2. It is the expectation that students wear the secondary uniform properly and in compliance with expectations from home to school, throughout the school day, from school to home, and at all activities and events as representatives of the school and/or Board.

3. All students are expected to wear the secondary uniform on educational field trips unless otherwise approved by the school principal. The principal in consultation with the classroom teacher will

determine appropriate dress for specialized activities. Notification regarding appropriate dress for specialized activities will be communicated in advance to students and parents/guardians.

4. Student co-curricular clothing items, spirit wear or athletic uniforms will have, in addition to the school's name and logo, the Board logo embroidered and/or screened on the items.

5. No advertisement of any kind is permitted on any student co-curricular clothing items, spirit wear, athletic uniforms or on any secondary uniform item.

6. Visible t-shirts worn under uniform tops must be plain white.

SECONDARY STUDENT UNIFORM ITEMS

All secondary students are to arrive at school daily in compliance with the required secondary uniform.

Approved uniform items purchased through the Board designated suppliers:

1. Grey Pants

· Pants must be in good repair, buttoned at the waist and properly hemmed to the heel of the shoe just above the ground. Uniform pants that have been improperly altered may not be worn.

2. Kilts/Skorts

· The kilt/skort must be properly hemmed and cannot be worn higher than 8 cm from the middle of the kneecap.

· Commencing September 2024, new kilt/skort will not be available for purchase from the Board approved vendor.

· Effective September 2029, the kilt/skort will be eliminated and ineligible to be worn as a uniform item.

3. Walking Shorts

· Walking shorts that have been improperly altered may not be worn.

4. Polo Shirt (short or long sleeve)

6. Crewneck

7. Hoodies

· Graduation hoodies are permitted to be worn by Grade 12 students only

Footwear:

Shoes-Low cut, full back, closed toe, solid black shoes are required. If applicable, laces are to be plain and black in colour

Socks must be neutral in colour and must be worn with the uniform pants or shorts at all times. Full leg tights or knee- high socks must be worn with the school kilt/skort.

Head coverings:

With the exception of a head covering as part of religious observance, bandanas, hats, and hoods are prohibited.

Tattoos:

CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCILS

1. The school principal, in consultation with the Catholic School Council, will annually review the secondary uniform items.

2. All secondary schools with the assistance of the Catholic School Council will facilitate donations of gently used uniforms items and hold an annual or semi-annual “Gently Used Uniform Sale”.

3. Any transition from one type of approved uniform item to another will be grandfathered and permitted to be worn as part of the secondary uniform during the transition period.

Niagara Catholic District School Board *DRESS CODE – SECONDARY UNIFORM POLICY* *(Safe Schools)* ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
300 – Schools/Students	Policy No 302.6.6

Adopted Date: June 26, 2001	Latest Reviewed/Revised Date: June 17, 2024