TCDSB - Catholic School Advisory Council

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 (e.g. plain white top, navy blue bottom or, navy blue top and bottom, no denim). The many advantages for parents, students and schools are outlined in a question and answer pamphlet for parents that is available on this website.

In keeping with our commitment to reflect Christian values in our day-to-day lives and to abide by the social teaching of the Church and our own Mission and Vision Statement, the Toronto Catholic District School Board has implemented a Sweatshop-Free Purchasing Policy. This requires that all vendors provide assurances that the manufacturing of apparel is in keeping with the provisions and procurement requirements of the Suppliers Fair Labour Practices Agreement.

We would request that all of our school communities consider safe, just and healthy employment standards whenever and wherever they are shopping. For more information on this policy, please click on Sweatshop Free Purchasing Policy F.P.04.

A list of school apparel suppliers who have declared compliance with our policy, is available on our website at: http://www.tcdsb.org/Tendering%20Information/Purchasing/supplierlist.htm

There are already a number of elementary schools who have implemented this new dress code or a uniform dress code. To view a list of these schools, please click here: List of TCDSB Schools with a Dress Code

Continued opportunities exist for parents to discuss and assist in planning how the new dress code may best move forward in our elementary schools. Your feedback and participation in discussions and planning for the implementation of the dress code is important to us. We encourage parents to speak to their school principal and/or their Chair of the Catholic School Advisory Council.

We appreciate that school communities may be at different levels of readiness in their understanding and support for the implementation of an Appropriate Dress Code. However, the timeline for the full implementation of the Appropriate Dress Code by September 2011 provides ample opportunity for each school community to embrace this journey through focussed and inclusive dialogue, thoughtful planning and timely sharing of information.

If you have any comments regarding the Appropriate Dress Code Initiative, please direct them to DressCode@tcdsb.org. Thank you for your feedback on the Elementary Schools Appropriate Dress Code Initiative. Your comments will be forwarded to the Appropriate Dress Code Central Committee for consideration.