Administrative Procedure 355: Student Dress Code

Education Act: Section 265 Duties of Principal; Education Act: Part XIII Behaviour, Discipline and Safety; PPM128 Provincial Code of Conduct and School Code of Conduct; Ontario Human Rights Code; Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms 

Administrative Procedure (AP) 113 School Councils; AP 350 Bullying Prevention and Intervention; AP 351 Code of Conduct; AP 352 Progressive Discipline and Promoting Positive Student Behaviour; AP 353 Student Suspension; AMDSB Equity Action Plan

It is the policy of the Avon Maitland District School Board to ensure a safe and inclusive learning and working environment for all students, staff and the community, regardless of age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, socio-economic status, employment, housing, sex, and sexual orientation.

The AMDSB’s student dress code philosophy is one way that we are working to ensure safe, inclusive and equitable learning environments for all of our students. Dress codes must be presented in a manner that does not reinforce stereotypes. We believe that students have a right to learn in a safe and caring space that is free of bias and discrimination, and that students have a right to respectfully express their individuality.

AMDSB school principals will provide their school council, staff and students with AMDSB AP355 Dress Code.

Our values and beliefs:
• All students should be able to dress for school without fear of unnecessary discipline, body shaming, bias or discrimination.
• Individuals are responsible for managing their own personal biases and perspectives/opinions (distractions) related to others’ choices of clothing.
• Students have a right to wear clothing of their choice that expresses their self-identified gender.
• Students have a right to wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination
• Student dress code enforcement must not result in unnecessary barriers to school attendance.

Dress code
• Courses that include attire as part of the curriculum (for example, public speaking and job readiness) may include assignment-specific dress. Schools need to be aware that there may be diverse culturally-specific attire that would also meet the requirements of a course.
• Schools must maintain a safe learning environment in classes where protective or supportive clothing is required. For example, activity-specific shoe requirements are
permitted (e.g., athletic shoes for Physical Education).
• It is not permissible to wear clothing or accessories that denote, suggest, display or reference alcohol, drugs or related paraphernalia, or other illegal conduct or activities.
• It is not permissible to wear clothing or accessories that display (but are not limited to) the following: images, logos or language that portray, ethnic prejudice, racism, sexism, vulgarity, gang-related markings, obscenities, profanity, hate speech, pornography, or other illegal conduct or activities.

 

Revised June 2022