A positive school climate and a safe learning and teaching environment are essential for student success. In a positive school climate, everyone feels welcome and respected.
Students, parents, teachers and staff all have the right to be and feel safe in their school community. With this right comes the responsibility to be accountable for one's actions and to help maintain a positive school climate.
All rules of the Code are in effect at all times at school, on the school bus, on field trips and at extracurricular activities.
Dress code
In the context of equity and inclusion, the dress code aligns with our school values:
- COURAGE (freedom of self-expression)
- RESPECT (inclusion and respect)
- HONESTY (everyone's responsibility).
The primary responsibility for a student's dress rests with the student and his/her parent(s), guardian(s) or custodian(s). The school is responsible for creating an atmosphere conducive to learning and for ensuring that a student's dress does not jeopardize the student's health or safety or contribute to a disrespectful or hostile atmosphere for any member of the school community. The dress code is a tool designed to foster the development, self-esteem, well-being and identity of our students. That's why it's important to allow students to wear the clothing of their choice, which can reflect their personal style, the gender they identify with and their religious denomination, without fear of discrimination.
*Please note that the health and safety requirements of an activity or course may necessitate the wearing of specific clothing. In such cases, these requirements take precedence over the student dress code.
Student dress must meet the following standards:
Hats, head coverings and hooded sweatshirts may be worn in the school, provided that staff members are able to see students' faces and ears and do not obstruct another student's field of vision (for safety reasons). Religious headgear is permitted at all times (even in the classroom).
However, during class time, the wearing of hats and other headgear is subject to the teacher's discretion (with the exception of religious headgear, which is authorized at all times or in special cases).
*Note that the hat must be removed for the national anthem, prayers, territorial recognition and any other ceremony requiring it.
The upper body must be a garment that covers the breasts, chest, pectorals and undergarments with an opaque fabric at all times.
The bottom garment must cover the genitals, buttocks and underwear with an opaque fabric at all times.
*Please note that pyjamas may only be worn on school-arranged pyjama days.
Depending on the course and other student activities, specific footwear is required (e.g. for physical education, sports, carpentry, cooking, crafts, etc.).
*Please note that slippers are forbidden for health and safety reasons.
Clothing promoting ESC de La Vérendrye must be approved by the management team (for example, for sports teams, 12th grade t-shirts, jogging suits or other school activities).
Student attire may not include offensive language or images, including profanity, hate speech, profanity, gang affiliation, sexualization or pornography. In addition, dress must not include images or language representing or advocating violence or the use of alcohol or drugs.
Application:
Students who fail to comply with the dress code will be given three opportunities to dress more appropriately during the school day:
- Students will be asked to bring their own change of clothes, if they are already available at school, so that they can dress more appropriately for the rest of the day.
- Students will receive temporary school clothes so that they can dress more appropriately for the rest of the day. Students must return washed garments to the school in the same condition within a reasonable period of time, otherwise they will be charged the price of the garment.
- If necessary, the student's parent(s), guardian(s) or responsible person(s) can be called in during the school day to bring a change of clothes for the student to wear for the rest of the day.
To ensure effective and equitable application of this dress code, staff are required to implement the dress code in a manner that is consistent, uniform and does not reinforce or increase the marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, culture, household income or body size or type.