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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 21, 2006 - 5 Catholic board approves pilot program for mandatory elemetary school uniforms By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Guidelines and timelines are now laid out to introduce mandatory uniforms in at least two Halton Catholic elementary schools in September 2007. All 13 recommendations compiled by a uniform pilot committee were presented to trustees of the Halton Catholic District School Board Tuesday night (Oct. 17). A vote will likely be held after the election, at the Nov. 21 board meeting. St. Gabriel in Burlington and Guardian Angels in Milton are slated to pilot the two-year project. There's room to add an Oakville elementary school and the as yet unnamed new elementary school scheduled to open in Milton may climb on board, too. The colours of the mandatory uniforms are navy and white with the school's name embroidered at the top left. After receiving proposals from eight companies, Toronto manufacturer McCarthy's was chosen by the committee which is made up of board staff, principals, trustees and parents. The estimated cost of a basic uniform of a short-sleeved golf shirt and pants is $48. Catholic School Council chairs and principals of the two participating schools will discuss the report Oct. 23. In early November flyers will go home to parents informing them of an upcom- ing information night that will further explain all of the details of the pilot. In January 2009 the uniform pilot committee will either: phase in other interested schools through a survey or in consultation with the local school council, principal and area supervisor; impose a blanket mandatory uniform for all Halton elementary schools; or review other alternatives. The committee decided that consequences for non-compliance will escalate after three verbal reminders by the principal to the student that will be accompanied by written notification to the parent and teacher. This will be followed by a formal written note sent home that may indicate the student has lost certain privileges, will face detentions or an additional assignment, be sent home to change their clothes or, as a last resort, be suspended. Halfway through the pilot, in September 2008, trustees will be given a follow up report. The pilot is the result of parents from St. Gabriel who requested in November 2005 that the board change its policy of participation in school uniforms at the elementary level from voluntary to mandatory. Unable to get 75 per cent approval from surveys circulated at the board's 11 elementary schools, a resolution to create a committee charged with establishing an exclusive two-year pilot for mandatory uniforms was approved last April. COME AND EXPERIENCE THE HALTON VACUUM DEPOT DIFFERENCE FREE $149.99 VALUE EXCLUSIVE ONLY TO BEAM! VAC-U-STORE RETRACTABLE HOSE! ® THE ONLY ONE IN THE MARKET! FALL 2006 SPECIAL EDITION CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEM WITH BEAM® ELECTRIC POWER BRUSH ENSEMBLE... · Powerful, Heavy-duty 2-stage 5.7" motor. · 520 Air Watts cleaning power. · Serenity® Plus maximum noise reduction. Brand Selection! WE CARRY QUALITY CLEANING PRODUCTS FROM THE LEADING BRANDS. AUTO RETRACTION LIGHT WEIGHT COMPACT STORAGE VISIT OUR SHOWROOM FOR DETAILS SALES · SERVICE · SELECTION · QUALITY BRANDS · INSTALLATION HALTON'S TRUSTED FLOOR CARE SPECIALISTS! L AS 6 699 INCLUDED 99 249 POWER TEAMS 99 399 UPRIGHTS 99 FROM... FROM... PORTABLES FROM... 39999 DU ND AS ST .E . DU ND TR AF AL GA R RD . 905-257-6145 Mon.-Fri.9:30-6:00 Sat. 9:30-4:00, Sun. 12:00-4:00 UP PE RM ID DL ER D. E. 2379 Trafalgar Road Trafalgar Ridge Shopping PLaza (in the Winners/HomeSense plaza a) Beside Scotia Bank ST .W . N