In winter, children need:
A rule of thumb is two layers below the belt and three layers above. Layering allows us to take some clothing off as needed. Check that boots allow your child to move freely.
The TWS lower school dress code encourages clothing choices that create a focused, safe and supportive learning environment while at the same time respecting each family’s freedom to choose clothing according to their unique tastes, cultures and values. Exceptions to the dress code can be made for health, cultural or religious reasons by speaking directly with your child(ren)’s class teacher.
We ask:
1. That all children have safe freedom of movement
● Children must be dressed in a way that allows them to move and play with ease and comfort
● Excessively baggy, tight, long-hemmed or short-hemmed clothing should be avoided to allow for safety, freedom and comfort even when climbing, running and jumping rope
● Jewelry and accessories are reasonably simple and light to allow for safety, even while climbing, running and jumping rope
● Outdoor and indoor shoes should be safe, supportive and suitable for the weather (no flip flops)
2. That all children are dressed so that they are safe and healthy in every kind of weather
● Spring/Summer Requirements and Restrictions
– Sunhats
– Layers are encouraged so that children may remove and put on clothing according to outside temperatures
– Shoes are supportive and weather appropriate
– In warmer weather sandals that are secured around the ankle are permissible
– Avoid Tube tops, crop tops & spaghetti straps (see freedom of movement)
● Autumn/Winter Requirements and Restrictions
– Warm winter hats that cover the ears
– Warm gloves, socks, neck warmers/scarves and warm layers
– Snowsuit and snowboots
– Rainsuit including rainpants, rainhat, raincoat and rainboots
3. That each child’s clothing choices support a simple and focused learning environment
● Avoid clothing, accessories and scents that are overly distracting to the eye or senses
● Avoid logos, animated characters, pictures and “day glow” (neon) colours
● Avoid ripped, torn or frayed clothing
● Hair should be worn off of the face to allow clear vision
● Subtle/natural makeup and nail polish is permissible only from grade 7 onwards
Class teachers are the only members of faculty who are to speak to the children in their specific class about the dress code. All teachers will help in the monitoring of adherence to the dress code.
If a class teacher finds that a child in their class is not dressed in alignment with the above dress code, that teacher will take the following actions:
· In Grades 5 – 8 students not adhering to the dress code will be required to wear their own or a supplied gym shirt or a compliant shirt from their extra clothing bag.
· In Grades 1-4 children will be required to wear a dress code compliant shirt from their extra clothing bag and the parents will be notified by the class teacher.
It is expected that the student will wear appropriate clothing the next day.
Please Note:
Class or Specialty teachers may ask that children wear specific clothing for field trips, festivals, recitals, assemblies and/or class plays.
Proper school attire promotes self-respect and a positive school attitude. Students should wear clothing that is clean, neat, modest and suitable for the activity and the season. Because clothing is part of the school environment, we expect our dress code to contribute to an ambience conducive to learning.
The following conditions are essential clothing requirements at Toronto Waldorf in the High School:
In addition to these essential requirements, the faculty reserves the right to decide whether dress or appearance support the high school dress code. Students may be asked to change into their gym uniform if dress attire is deemed inappropriate, or parents may be called to supply other clothes.
Please refer to our current Highschool Handbook for more on the dresscode.