School Uniform Policy

The Uniform Policy is stated to assist students to meet the expectations, and to inform parents. A general policy cannot detail all possible situations. Notre Dame’s Administration will interpret the application of the general policy to any particular situation and their decision is final.

General Principles

  • Students will cooperate with the school’s uniform policy at all times.
  • Students will be in uniform all day, everyday, from arrival to departure excluding designated days as determined by the Principal of the school. 
  • The only shirts, sweaters, and pants or kilts that students will wear are the official school uniform items supplied for the specific school.
  • Students will present a neat appearance.
  • Students will wear uniform items properly.
  • Students will keep uniform items clean and in good repair.
  • Students will wear clothing that is sized appropriately: neither too large nor immodestly tight.

Specific Uniform Items 

  • Students are to be in full uniform as at 7:55 am, on the first day of classes and are to be in uniform daily from 7:55 am – 2:32 pm including non-class time.
  • All uniform items, with the exception of shoes, must be purchased through nd outfitters.

Sweater: Only uniform sweaters/vests embroidered with the school logo are to be worn. The uniform sweater is not to be worn around the waist or shoulders. The sweater is compulsory from Thanksgiving to Easter.

Shirt: Uniform shirt, either polo or white oxford, with embroidered school logo, always tucked in with visible belt or belt loops. Shirt must be buttoned to the second button from the collar and the collar must be buttoned on both sides (oxford). Long-sleeved shirts are not to be worn beneath short-sleeved shirts.

Pants: Pants must be in good repair, buttoned at the waist and properly hemmed to the heel of the shoe just above the ground. School pants that have been improperly altered (i.e. slits) may not be worn until the problem has been corrected.

Kilt: The kilt must be properly hemmed and cannot be worn more than 8 cm from the middle of the kneecap. Uniform tights, or knee-high socks, must be worn with the school kilt. Girls who have rolled, outgrown, cut or altered the kilt in any way will be requested to wear school pants until the problem has been corrected. Repeated kilt violations will result in kilt privileges being removed for the year.

Shoes: Only low cut, solid black dress shoes or oxfords are deemed acceptable. Laces must be solid black and plain. Solid black means no stripes, company logos, or multicoloured. The shoes must have a full back and closed toe. Sandals, flip-flops, clogs and other styles of slip on shoes are deemed unacceptable. Dress shoes must be worn at all times in the building, including lunchtime. Steel-toed boots are not allowed. Boots are not to be worn with the kilt or shorts. Students who wear winter boots to school must deposit them in their locker when they arrive at school and change into the appropriate uniform shoe.

Socks:  Socks must be neutral in colour and must be worn with the uniform pants or the kilt/skort at all times.Uniform socks/tights must be worn with the kilt at all times.

Shorts: Shorts are NOT part of the Notre Dame uniform.

Items That May Be Worn With the Uniform

Undershirts: Only short-sleeved plain white t-shirts are permitted under the school shirt. Plain means “without any decoration or text.” The length of the sleeve of the undershirt must not exceed the length of the sleeve of uniform shirt. The ND gym t-shirt is not to be worn under the oxford shirt.

Belts: Must be plain (no studs) and solid black. Solid black means no stripes, company logos, or multicoloured. The size of the buckle must be in-line with the width of the belt.

Gym Uniform: This includes a regulation ND white t-shirt, ND shorts, white socks, and appropriate non-marking running shoes. Optional attire includes the ND regulation sweatshirt and sweatpants. The gym uniform may only be worn in the gym and locker rooms but NOT in any other part of the school.

Restrictions:

Body Piercing and Tattoos: Visible facial piercing (excluding a small nose stud), excessive piercing, ear expanders and visible tattooing and branding which is inappropriate, excessive, is directed at an individual group/culture, which contains an offensive, inappropriate message, advertisement, slogan are prohibited.

Hats: Hats, hooded sweaters, bandanas, kerchiefs or any other head covering may not be worn in the school building from time of arrival for the school day to time of departure. Outer Clothing: Students must keep outer clothing in their lockers and they must not be worn at any time during the school day.

Jewellery: Must be neat, respectable, inoffensive, non-distracting and coordinated with the school uniform. Jewellery, including spiked or studded bracelets, necklaces, belts, earrings, chains and expanders, which are considered safety hazards and/or distracting are not permitted. Necklaces need to be placed under the undershirt.

Hair/ Makeup: Must be styled in a way that is not distracting or conspicuous. Only natural hair colours/styles will be deemed acceptable.

Tattoos/ Branding: Visible tattooing and/or branding are prohibited. The ND uniform must cover, where possible, all visible tattoos/brandings.

Students who travel to another school within the board to take a course must comply with the uniform policy of the teaching school.

Alternate Dress Day Policy

Students will follow the “General Principles” of the uniform policy on alternate dress day, but will substitute non-uniform clothing items. Additional clarification for alternate dress days:

  • All uniform policies on “Restricted Items” (hats, jewellery, body piercing, hair and makeup, and tattoos) apply on alternate dress days.
  • Shirts must modestly cover from shoulders to hips; shoulders and midsection must be covered.
  • Pant, skirt, or dress length must be appropriate and modest. Shorts are not permitted.
  • Clothing must not display any sign, symbol or phrase, which is directed at an individual, group or culture or which contains an offensive or inappropriate message, advertisement or slogan.
  • Students may wear casual shoes, but open-toed shoes and sandals are not permitted.

Requests for Out of Uniform Slips

Students are to report to the office, prior to the beginning of the day, to receive an out of uniform slip. Requests for non-uniform items must be accompanied by a note from a doctor. In the case where the request is in lieu of dress shoes, the alternative shoe must be solid black.

Enforcement

Students who do not comply with the uniform policies of Notre Dame will be subject to the following sanctions:

  1. First offence will result in an automatic detention
  2. Second offence will result in double detentions and parental contact
  3. Third offence will result in an automatic (3) day suspension for persistent opposition to authority.

ND Outfitters Uniform Information All uniform inquiries should be directed to

Mrs. Lucy Blair at 905-788-9100.