Dress for Success Code

Parents play a vital role in helping students have a successful school year, which includes appropriate choices when it comes to clothing, accessories, and grooming.  In order to maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to learning, we expect all of our Boas in the building (students, staff, and visitors) to Dress for Success. 

Tom Baines School strives to develop students who are respectful and compassionate humans.  We expect students to respect themselves and others.  While we encourage individuality, our ‘dress for success’ code aims to foster a positive and healthy environment.  Student attire and grooming must permit students to participate in learning without posing a risk or distraction to the learning or safety of self/others. 


Clothing must be respectful, conducive to learning, and safe. ​

  • Clothing must cover undergarments and allow you to participate in all school activities
  • No hoods or bandanas ​
  • If wearing a hat, it should be taken off during O Canada and specific PE activities​
  • Jackets and coats must be kept in lockers​
  • Backpacks, purses, fanny packs, etc. must stay in lockers​
  • Clothing and accessories that display or promote negative messages are not permitted.
  • Clothing must not depict hate speech targeting groups based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected classification.


Dress Code Nonobservance

If a staff member has a concern regarding a students attire , they will consult with other staff to determine the appropriateness of a clothing item.  If deemed inappropriate, one of the staff members will speak privately to the student.  The student will be given the option to change. After notifying a parent, administration may send a student home to change before being admitted to class.   

Staff do their very best to maintain a consistent and school-wide approach to our agreed upon dress in order to ensure a range of fair and predicable responses.  All students are responsible for complying with the rules of the school as per the CBE Student Code of Conduct.  This includes dress and grooming.