2013 Elementary School Uniforms Parent Information Booklet

Why a School Uniform?
Safe Schools
Students in uniform are easily identified as belonging in our school; those
not in uniform are more easily noticed or detected.
Uniforms create an environment conducive to a safer school.
Anecdotally, schools that have implemented a uniform report a positive
impact on the overall tone and climate of the school.
Equitable & Inclusive Learning Environments
Parent Information Booklet
A school uniform encourages a sense of pride and belonging for all
students.
A school uniform fosters equality, minimizes peer pressure, and has a
leveling effect on socio-economic status within school communities.
A school uniform simplifies the morning routine and alleviates child/parent
conflicts or differences of opinion around dress.
Distinctive Identity as Catholic Schools
A school uniform conveys a distinctiveness that is often associated with
Catholic schools around the world.
A school uniform distinguishes our students from students in the public
school system.
A school uniform dress code in elementary schools is consistent with the
school uniform dress code in place in the Board’s secondary schools, and
would offer a sense of identity across all schools in the Board.
Students at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Elementary School, Burlington
For more information about the School Uniform, please visit : www.hcdsb.org
Achieving...Believing...Belonging!
Achieving...Believing...Belonging!
Amendments to Policy II-41, School Uniform Dress Code/
School Dress Code
On February 19, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved amendments to Policy II-41, School
Uniform Dress Code/School Dress Code.
Basic Principles of the School Uniform Policy
The amended policy is based on 3 core principles:
The Board is committed to providing a learning and working environment that is safe
and respectful of the needs and well-being of all individuals, and believes that a
school uniform dress code supports such environments.
The Board endorses and encourages the adoption of a school uniform dress code in
our elementary schools, consistent with the values, traditions and distinctiveness of
Catholic schools as an effective strategy to build inclusive Catholic communities and
encourage a sense of belonging for all students.
The Board affirms a role for parents to determine, through democratic vote
conducted in accordance with this policy, whether or not to adopt and implement a
school uniform dress code for elementary school communities.
Procedural Requirements to Comply with Policy II-41
A simple majority vote (50% + 1) is required for a community to adopt a school
uniform.
Community votes are scheduled later in the school year to allow for families with
children confirmed as pre-registered for the next school year to be eligible to vote.
If the youngest child in the family is in grade 7 or 8, a family is not eligible to
participate in the vote.
In the first year of implementation, grade 8 students are not required to wear the
school uniform.
Each school community must vote on school uniforms at least once.
The uniform vote may be revisited on a three-year cycle.
Voting Eligibility
Every registered family with children in Junior Kindergarten through grade 6 of the current
school year is eligible to vote, and receives one (1) ballot.
Every family with children confirmed as pre-registered for the next school year (JK-6) is
eligible to vote, and receives one (1) ballot.
Families whose youngest child is in grade 7 or 8 in the current year are not eligible to vote.
Voting Process
Community votes are conducted through paper ballots.
Each family receives one (1) ballot; each ballot is numbered for tracking purposes.
The parent/guardian must indicate their choice on the ballot by marking the appropriate
box with an “X”.
The ballot must be signed, and returned to the school by the designated end date.
The Elementary School Uniform
All elementary school uniforms must consist of a combination of navy blue and white.
Individual schools may choose to add their logo, and one additional colour to reflect the
school’s colour and/or logo.
While the advice would be to keep it simple, especially during the first year of
implementation, individual schools may supplement the base uniform with additional items
of apparel.
The Board has made a commitment that no student will be denied access to school as a
result of financial limitations that may inhibit a family’s ability to purchase the uniform. We
will fully subsidize the cost of a uniform for families where the cost of the school uniform
would put a financial strain on the family household. Arrangements for assistance are made
through the Principal, and are kept confidential and discreet.
The selection of the uniform provider is determined through an RFP process, and on the
basis of a number of factors, including: affordability, quality, accessibility and convenience
for families. Uniforms must be manufactured in accordance with Policy I-31, Apparel
Purchases and Fair Labour Practices.
R. J. McCarthy is currently the Board’s authorized uniform supplier. See enclosed insert for
sample packages, pricing, and contact information for McCarthy’s.
Achieving...Believing...Belonging!
Achieving...Believing...Belonging!
Amendments to Policy II-41, School Uniform Dress Code/
School Dress Code
On February 19, 2013, the Board of Trustees approved amendments to Policy II-41, School
Unif41orm Dress Code/School Dress Code.
Basic Principles of the School Uniform Policy
The amended policy is based on 3 core principles:
The Board is committed to providing a learning and working environment that is safe
and respectful of the needs and well-being of all individuals, and believes that a
school uniform dress code supports such environments.
The Board endorses and encourages the adoption of a school uniform dress code in
our elementary schools, consistent with the values, traditions and distinctiveness of
Catholic schools as an effective strategy to build inclusive Catholic communities and
encourage a sense of belonging for all students.
The Board affirms a role for parents to determine, through democratic vote
conducted in accordance with this policy, whether or not to adopt and implement a
school uniform dress code for elementary school communities.
Procedural Requirements to Comply with Policy II-41
A simple majority vote (50% + 1) is required for a community to adopt a school
uniform.
Community votes are scheduled later in the school year to allow for families with
children confirmed as pre-registered for the next school year to be eligible to vote.
If the youngest child in the family is in grade 7 or 8, a family is not eligible to
participate in the vote.
In the first year of implementation, grade 8 students are not required to wear the
school uniform.
Each school community must vote on school uniforms at least once.
The uniform vote may be revisited on a three-year cycle.
Voting Eligibility
Every registered family with children in Junior Kindergarten through grade 6 of the current
school year is eligible to vote, and receives one (1) ballot.
Every family with children confirmed as pre-registered for the next school year (JK-6) is
eligible to vote, and receives one (1) ballot.
Families whose youngest child is in grade 7 or 8 in the current year are not eligible to vote.
Voting Process
Community votes are conducted through paper ballots.
Each family receives one (1) ballot; each ballot is numbered for tracking purposes.
The parent/guardian must indicate their choice on the ballot by marking the appropriate
box with an “X”.
The ballot must be signed, and returned to the school by the designated end date.
The Elementary School Uniform
All elementary school uniforms must consist of a combination of navy blue and white.
Individual schools may choose to add their logo, and one additional colour to reflect the
school’s colour and/or logo.
While the advice would be to keep it simple, especially during the first year of
implementation, individual schools may supplement the base uniform with additional items
of apparel.
The Board has made a commitment that no student will be denied access to school as a
result of financial limitations that may inhibit a family’s ability to purchase the uniform. We
will fully subsidize the cost of a uniform for families where the cost of the school uniform
would put a financial strain on the family household. Arrangements for assistance are made
through the Principal, and are kept confidential and discreet.
The selection of the uniform provider is determined through an RFP process, and on the
basis of a number of factors, including: affordability, quality, accessibility and convenience
for families. Uniforms must be manufactured in accordance with Policy I-31, Apparel
Purchases and Fair Labour Practices.
R. J. McCarthy is currently the Board’s authorized uniform supplier. See enclosed insert for
sample packages, pricing, and contact information for McCarthy’s.
Achieving...Believing...Belonging!
Achieving...Believing...Belonging!
Why a School Uniform?
Safe Schools
Students in uniform are easily identified as belonging in our school; those
not in uniform are more easily noticed or detected.
Uniforms create an environment conducive to a safer school.
Anecdotally, schools that have implemented a uniform report a positive
impact on the overall tone and climate of the school.
Equitable & Inclusive Learning Environments
Parent Information Booklet
A school uniform encourages a sense of pride and belonging for all
students.
A school uniform fosters equality, minimizes peer pressure, and has a
leveling effect on socio-economic status within school communities.
A school uniform simplifies the morning routine and alleviates child/parent
conflicts or differences of opinion around dress.
Distinctive Identity as Catholic Schools
A school uniform conveys a distinctiveness that is often associated with
Catholic schools around the world.
A school uniform distinguishes our students from students in the public
school system.
A school uniform dress code in elementary schools is consistent with the
school uniform dress code in place in the Board’s secondary schools, and
would offer a sense of identity across all schools in the Board.
Students at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Elementary School, Burlington
For more information about the School Uniform, please visit : www.hcdsb.org
Achieving...Believing...Belonging!
Achieving...Believing...Belonging!
McCarthy’s Affordable Pricing Range on Existing Youth Packages
$105 $84*
$155 $124*
$215 $172*
* 20% discount applies during the first year of implementation only (September, 2013 – June, 2014).
The Board’s current provider is:
R. J. McCarthy School Uniforms
Carlos Rios, Senior Account Executive
531 North Service Rd E.
Oakville, ON L6H 1A5
416-593-6900
1-800-668-8261
www.rjmccarthy.com