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Catholic school board revamps uniform rules By Tim Whitnell METROLAND WEST MEDIA The Halton Catholic District School Board has a new school uniform/school dress code policy. Three months after rejecting an amended policy, trustees with the board voted unanimously to adopt an updated policy. Among the major changes is the adoption of a school uniform dress code at any school where the school community vote is a simple majority -- 50 per cent plus one vote. Previously, a two-thirds majority was needed to implement a uniform dress code at a specific school. Community votes are also now to be held later in the school year, preferably February or March. Each school community must vote on school uniforms at least once. The uniform vote can be revisited every three years. Elementary schools that have never voted on uniforms will do so this March. Every family with children confirmed as pre-registered for the next school year is eligible to vote. However, if the youngest child in a family is in Grade 7 or 8, a family would not be eligible to participate in the vote. In the first year of implementation, Grade 8 students can wear a uniform, but will not be required to do so. The uniform colours at all elementary schools will consist of a combination of navy blue and white only. Only a school logo or name is allowed on school uniforms, no advertisements. All elementary schools must adopt an elementary school dress code if they have not adopted an elementary school uniform. An elementary school's student dress code is to be in keeping with Catholic teachings and beliefs, and reflect principles of physical modesty. Conversely, an elementary school that has school uniforms can, upon the recommendation of its committee, choose to conduct a vote to discontinue using school uniforms. The board will deal with families struggling or unable to purchase the required clothes for their children. "If a school has voted for a uniform (dress code), then they (students) are expected to wear a uniform, but it is understood that if there is financial difficulty the family should speak to their principal. We would work towards having a uniform provided for the child," said Halton Catholic board chair Diane Rabenda. Rabenda said the policy has been subject to a lot of attention, with about 20 meetings held. McCarthy's is the board's current uniform provider, in its second year of a three-year contract. "It's typically a three-year contract, but it can vary," said board communications administrator Lisa Stocco. Every registered family with children in JK­Grade 6 of the current school year is eligible to vote for a uniform dress code at their school and receives one ballot. The voting process can't go more than two weeks but can't be completed sooner than one week following a community information night. The principal, in collaboration with the Catholic School Council, will communicate the ballot results to the school community no later than one week after the vote. The principal of each school has the discretion to determine whether a student is in violation of the uniform dress code or the school dress code and has responsibility to enforce the policy and any possible consequences for those students. All Halton Catholic high schools will have a school uniform dress code. Since the adoption of the previous uniform policy in 2009, 33 of the board's 41 elementary school communities have voted on whether to adopt uniforms. Four schools currently have uniforms: St. Gabriel and St. Elizabeth Seton in Burlington, Guardian Angels in Milton and St. James in Oakville. 19 · Friday, March 1, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com IN THE STORE MARCH 1 - 4 * OFF EVERYTHING 20 % Halton Gutsy Skate Sunday The second annual Halton Gutsy Skate is happening on Sunday in support of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. The family skate will take place during the grand re-opening of the Ice2Ice Hockey Development Centre, 1111 Speers Rd. The Gutsy Skate event is free. There will be a WestJet Raffle, a penny auction, puck toss, prizes and games. Ice2Ice will donate 50 per cent of the concession sales to the Foundation. The family event is a kickoff for the Halton chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's signature fundraising event, the Gutsy Walk, which will happen in June. The skate is raising money and awareness for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), which causes intestinal tissue to become inflamed, form sores and bleed easily. Patients suffer from such symptoms as abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue and diarrhea that is often urgent and unexpected. There is no known cause or cure. The skate event runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. PLUS ALL FLOOR MODELS Fine Furnishings & Accessories * N Winston Churchill In home design consultation available * On floor sample items only. **Not applicable with any other promotions. 2575 Dundas St.W., Mississauga (between Winston Churchill & Erin Mills Pkwy) Tel: 905-820-4111 Fax: 905-820-4445 Dundas Q.E.W. Erin Mills Pakrway MISSISSAUGA HOME AND DESIGN CENTRE