HWDSB shares updated student dress code guidelines after student protests

Hamilton's public school board has unveiled dress code guidelines just a day after trustees voted to remove "sexist and outdated" standards in how it enforces what students wear.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) said in a message to families Tuesday it never had a formal dress code and is now ensuring it will establish one across the board.

This comes after Waterdown District High School faced criticism for issuing an announcement to students on Oct. 7 about dressing appropriately, as police were investigating numerous reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment at the school. It led to an apology from the school principal and student protests.

"In the absence of system direction, schools may have been enforcing an outdated dress code in a disproportionate manner that targets female-identified students without considering non-binary views and identities," read the message from HWDSB to families.

"This is a violation of the Human Rights Code."

What can students wear?

For now, the guidelines state students:

• Will wear a top and bottom layer of clothing of opaque material.

• May wear tops that expose arms, shoulders, stomachs, midriff, neck lines, chest and straps but will cover the nipples.

• May wear bottoms that expose legs, thighs and hips and expose straps and waistbands, but will cover the groin and buttocks.

• May wear any headwear or head covering that does not obscure the face including but not limited to durags, ball caps, head scarves etc. 

• May wear dress or headwear requirements to support religious/creed accommodations and similar human rights accommodations. 

• May not wear undergarments as outerwear. 

• May not wear anything that promotes or symbolizes drugs, alcohol, illegal activity, hate or discrimination, profanity, pornography; that incites violence or harassment; or threatens health and safety. 

• May not wear anything that depicts or displays hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation or any other protected groups. 

When staff have to address students that don't follow the dress code, the board said they must avoid reinforcing stereotypes and work with students one-on-one.

They must also treat it as a minor issue and ensure it doesn't negatively impact the student (like removing them from class time). The board said staff must also suggest solutions for the student.