Ontario school board will implement a new dress code after students talked about a policy they felt was outdated and targeted females.
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) released the new rule recently, calling the existing dress code used by some schools outdated. Also, they said the policy unequally “targets female-identified students without considering non-binary views and identities.”
Once the new code is implemented, students won’t have to cover up their stomachs, shoulders or bra straps. Also, students will be able to wear hats and reveal their legs, thighs and hips.
The changes came almost two weeks after officials at Waterdown District High School announced over the PA system to remind students to abide by the dress code which would witness them cover their shoulders and stomachs.
The announcement was made two days after Hamilton police disclosed they were investigating many reports of sexual assault and harassment linked to the school.
At that time, Waterdown District High School student Sophie Vivian said: “It felt as if they were telling us it was our fault,” at the time.
The principal has apologized for the announcement and said “the timing of the announcement was insensitive to the ongoing concerns about sexual assault” and that the school condemns victim-blaming.
A lot of walkouts were organized by students after the announcement.
While talking to CP24 recently, HWDSB Trustee Maria Felix Miller said the walkouts led to a “constructive” conversation and “self-reflection.”
She said: “It was the culmination of student trustees communicating and really amplifying the voice of students across the board, letting us know that our outdated policy and the way that it has the potential to be enforced at schools is problematic.
“It caused harm and a review is long overdue.
“What we’re hoping to do in the spirit of the motion is really to make sure that we are allowing our students to express themselves in a way that they feel is most appropriate for how they identify.”
The following rules will soon be enforced on students:
● A top and bottom clothing layer made of opaque material must be put on.
● Tops which reveal arms, shoulders, stomachs, midriff, necklines, chest and straps are permitted but the nipples must be covered.
● Bottoms that reveal legs, thighs, hips, straps and waistbands will be permitted. The buttocks and groin must be covered.
● Headwear and head coverings like ball caps, headscarves and durags are permitted but the face must be conspicuous.
● Dress or headwear needed for religious reasons will be permitted.
● Undergarments must not be used as outerwear
● Students will not be permitted to put on anything that encourages or epitomises alcohol, drugs, illegal activity, hate or discrimination, profanity, pornography; that incites violence or harassment; or threatens health and safety.
● Clothing must not portray or exhibit hate speech
Also, the school board issued guidelines for both staff and students on how to handle a dress code violation, a thing that student trustee Aisha Mahmound says is equally important.
Mahmound said: “It’s not about the guidelines on paper, it’s about the lack of direction and it’s about how it’s enforced and the way that it’s thought and the kind of culture and narrative that surrounds it.”
Miller agreed with Mahmound’s statement and said the school board wanted a situation where staff have the tools to impose a dress code respectfully.
She said: “We want our students to feel safe in their school and part of that safety has to do with the freedom to express themselves, how they feel most comfortable.”
