Reform and deregulate NCDSB dress code
The Issue
As students at Notre Dame College School, we face a dress code that feels overly restrictive and nitpicky, often leaving us frustrated and marginalized. The current regulation seems less about promoting an academic environment and more about imposing unnecessary control. We believe it’s time for a significant review.
The dress code at Notre Dame College School unfairly targets both boys and girls, with girls being affected a lot more. Female students frequently go through unfair scrutiny and are given infractions for length of their kilts, the color of their socks, the length of their socks, and many more. We’ve heard unconfirmed reports of female students’ kilts being ripped too. This not only causes undue stress and embarrassment but perpetuates the harmful notion that girls are responsible for how others perceive them based on their attire.
A study by the Education Law Center Statistics Pennsylvania (ELC-PA) conducted in May of 2023 concludes that overly regulated dress codes can impact students' self-esteem and educational experience which can impact student attendence and suspension rates.
Also, this DC policy is inconsistently applied to male students as well, who find themselves being dress coded for failing to adhere to rigid uniform standards with their pants or undershirts in general. This inconsistency is confusing us, sending mixed messages about what's truly important in our school environment. School dress code is necessary, but it should not be a tool for control or a source of constant anxiety. It should instead respect student individuality while fostering an environment conducive to learning.
In no way is this derogative or disrespective of the staff team, this is a civil petition.
We kindly urge the Niagara Catholic Distrixt School Board AND the Notre Dame College School administration to review thier policy to create a fairer and more balanced dress code that respects students' rights and embraces a diverse school culture.
On top of ALL of this, we kindly urge them to review their technique and tactics of enforcing this dress code as this is the main issue.
We need your support to make this potential change a reality. Please sign this petition to help us build a school environment that reflects equality, respect, and modern values for all.
[petition created under guidance of Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedom Section 2(b) - Freedom Of Expression; Section 2(c) - Freedom of Peaceful Assembly]
1,010
The Issue
As students at Notre Dame College School, we face a dress code that feels overly restrictive and nitpicky, often leaving us frustrated and marginalized. The current regulation seems less about promoting an academic environment and more about imposing unnecessary control. We believe it’s time for a significant review.
The dress code at Notre Dame College School unfairly targets both boys and girls, with girls being affected a lot more. Female students frequently go through unfair scrutiny and are given infractions for length of their kilts, the color of their socks, the length of their socks, and many more. We’ve heard unconfirmed reports of female students’ kilts being ripped too. This not only causes undue stress and embarrassment but perpetuates the harmful notion that girls are responsible for how others perceive them based on their attire.
A study by the Education Law Center Statistics Pennsylvania (ELC-PA) conducted in May of 2023 concludes that overly regulated dress codes can impact students' self-esteem and educational experience which can impact student attendence and suspension rates.
Also, this DC policy is inconsistently applied to male students as well, who find themselves being dress coded for failing to adhere to rigid uniform standards with their pants or undershirts in general. This inconsistency is confusing us, sending mixed messages about what's truly important in our school environment. School dress code is necessary, but it should not be a tool for control or a source of constant anxiety. It should instead respect student individuality while fostering an environment conducive to learning.
In no way is this derogative or disrespective of the staff team, this is a civil petition.
We kindly urge the Niagara Catholic Distrixt School Board AND the Notre Dame College School administration to review thier policy to create a fairer and more balanced dress code that respects students' rights and embraces a diverse school culture.
On top of ALL of this, we kindly urge them to review their technique and tactics of enforcing this dress code as this is the main issue.
We need your support to make this potential change a reality. Please sign this petition to help us build a school environment that reflects equality, respect, and modern values for all.
[petition created under guidance of Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedom Section 2(b) - Freedom Of Expression; Section 2(c) - Freedom of Peaceful Assembly]
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Petition created on September 14, 2026