Dear students, parents, teachers etc of Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts,

By now we all know that in recent years there has been an emphasis on proper uniform policies, especially those concerning the kilt. It's no surprise that the majority of students are against the recent announcement of a kilt ban beginning in September 2017. However it does come as a surprise to most students that the alleged banning of our kilt is an infringement on the Parent and Student Charter of Rights. We ask you to please read the following explanation, it may be long but it has very important information regarding the "kilt ban". After reading we ask you to please sign this petition in support of our case. As of March 23, 2017, the Toronto Catholic District School Board has been informed and an email was sent outlining our issues with the handling of our uniform in accordance with board policies. Thank you to everyone for your continued by support!

In July of 2016 when students' report cards were sent home a letter stating that the kilt would only be around for a limited time was sent with it. Again in student agendas at the beginning of the year under the school uniform section on page 26 it is stated in bold; "We are currently in the consultation phase of the elimination of the Girls' Kilt. Please be aware that if you purchase a kilt, it will be allowed only for a limited time." As well throughout the year parents, students and staff have been told multiple times that the kilt will be gone beginning September 2017.

However, I am here to inform you that this cannot be the case. The following quote is taken directly from the Toronto Catholic District School Board's Policies under Local Dress Code Requirements section E: Approval Process for Establishing or Changing the Local Dress Code, it clearly states the requirements in changing the uniform at a secondary school.

"Should an elementary school wish to establish a Uniform Dress Code, or a secondary school wish to change their current Uniform Dress Code, the following approval process will apply:

• each school will develop and distribute an action plan, including a communication strategy and voting process (see below) to determine what the Local Dress Code should be for their own school (suggested by December of the school year preceding implementation)
• have a community meeting at least two weeks prior to voting
• Catholic School Advisory Council ("CSAC") must be involved in the development and implementation of this action plan

The approval process shall:

• provide a vote every five years to be initiated by the principal in consultation with the CSAC
• clearly establish which parents or students are eligible to vote
• ensure that a minimum of 70% of the eligible respondents have cast a vote
• not include proxy voting
• ballots must include a description and costs associated with the proposed Dress Code and a line each for the name and grade of the student, and family surname
• not be considered valid unless the votes are signed
• be completed by February for successful implementation in the following school year and include families registered at the school for September of next school year

Secondary:

• Entitle each family to one vote per student registered in the school (excluding the grade 12 students)
• At least 80% support of those eligible to vote is required to determine whether the Local Dress Code will change from the current Uniform Dress Code to an alternate Uniform Dress Code
• Failing the 80% "YES" vote, the original Uniform Dress Code shall be adopted as the Local Dress Code for secondary schools."

None of the Board's policies on Local Dress Code have been followed by our administration, yet we are being told the kilt is officially banned or as stated in the agenda "in the consultation phase". However if we were really in the "consultation phase" the above requirements would already be completed since it is March and as stated above should have been completed by February. As mentioned this is an infringement on the Parent and Student Charter of Rights specifically Parent Right #12 that states that parents have "The right to have TCDSB rules and regulations and individual school policies applied and adhered to with transparency, consistency, fairness and compassion."

We would like to inform all students, parents and staff as soon as possible so we kindly ask you to sign this petition and share it on all you social media accounts! Thank you!

Here is the link to the Board's website where the above policies and requirements were stated: https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/Policies/Pages/SS07.as...

And here is the link to the Parent and Student Charter of Rights: https://www.tcdsb.org/FORPARENTS/DraftCharterOfRig...

edit**: please keep all comments appropriate, they will be deleted if found otherwise.