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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ja nu ar y 11 ,2 01 8 | 34 Halton Catholic trustees have asked staff for a report to address a growing number of parental concerns over the board's school uniform policy and its current supplier. The request followed a delegation by par- ent Jennifer Hood at the Dec. 19 regular meet- ing of the board, which outlined, among oth- er issues, the burden placed on low-income families to purchase uniforms, particularly from a sole supplier. The issue of monopolistic uniform pur- chasing is not new and trustees have dealt with parental dissatisfaction about it in the past. The Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) dictates uniforms must be purchased from its approved supplier, which must meet board policies and standards, in- cluding ensuring fair labour practices. The policy was most recently discussed and amended at a Dec. 12 policy committee meeting to specifically address the process of a school uniform dress code for situations of consolidation/closure and new schools. An overwhelming number of responses to a stakeholder survey, however, were not about that particular issue. Of 102 responses, only nine were directed to the proposed amendment dealing with school uniforms for school consolidation/closure and new school situations, an outcome that the board couldn't ignore, said Oakville trustee Antho- ny Quinn at the Dec. 12 meeting. "Every other comment expressed dissat- isfaction with our current supplier," said Quinn, adding it was clear that parents dis- approved of what the board had chosen for them. Reiterating what he had said previous- ly, Quinn said it was "inane" to think the board could pretend to have the power to foist its purchasing policies onto parents. "By forcing them to, we are getting in the way of a publicly funded education," said Quinn. Although the policy amendments were almost unanimously approved at the Dec. 12 policy committee meeting, it did not pass when voted on again at the board level following Hood's delegation. Uniforms are expensive and they are barriers created by the board for families to access Catholic edu- cation, said Hood in her presentation. "The uniform policy does offer a "second way in" for families who can't afford the uni- forms, but it doesn't provide a road map for how to get that support," said Hood."This year, I haven't made a uniform support re- quest because the whole process is just too unclear and too humiliating." "There is such a glut of gently used cloth- ing, parents wouldn't need financial assis- tance for school clothes if it weren't for the uniform requirement." NEWS Discussion about school uniform policy continues KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com To determine your designated home school, refer to our website www.hdsb.ca (Find My Local School). Call your designated school to find out which dates have been established for Kindergarten registration. SchoolYear 2018-2019 must be 4 years old by December 31, 2018 must be 5 years old by December 31, 2018 Junior Kindergarten (Year 1) Senior Kindergarten (Year 2) Note: If your child is currently attending one of our schools for Junior Kindergarten, do not register for Senior Kindergarten. • Proof of address: any two of the following current documents - lease or deed, car registration, utility bill, residential telephone bill, moving bill, property tax bill, bank statement, credit card statement, correspondence with a government agency. • Proof of age: birth certificate or passport or baptismal/faith record for your child. • Proof of citizenship: birth certificate or passport, Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Permanent Resident card. If you are not the child's parent, or if you have sole custody, please bring proof of custody (court order). Parents should contact the Principal/Vice-principal if they require accessibility accommodations in order to register their child for Kindergarten. Burlington: ext.3294 Halton Hills & Milton: ext.3324 Oakville: ext.3271 or 3307 Please bring the following original documents with you to register: If you require language assistance registering your student for school, please contact Halton Multicultural Council (905) 842-2486. Si necesita ayuda en su idioma para matricular a su hijo/a, por favor llame al Halton Multicultural Council (Centro Multicultural de Halton) al (905) 842-2486 For further information, please contact: Phone: 905-335-3663 Toll free: 1-877-618-3456 Please register your child by February 2, 2018. Access to the school library is provided once registered. O5 !S2D< ?Y)P3 5a c)%2HM +3 T*)H` b@Y KV?QB,J< "WI),09< E)J^` &<)#<K/c)A)\F<K ZWHJ0<K .2J<)8 19B0% U)L`NK >)C:<K X !/=W0<K TA !$<)#<K )Halton Multicultural Council(6]:<K -9I:2486-842-905 Kindergarten Registration Register Now Saturday Night BaSketBall teens and up Parents encouraged to play too! gymnasium located at 11643 trafalgar road georgetown, ON l7g 4S4 (halton hills Christian School) Please drive to the back of the school Starting Saturday, January 13th | 8-9 PM $2 eaCh Player Booking now for the Best Dates in 2019! Some 2018 dates still available. CONTACT: Amanda Cole 905.877.5236, Ext: 204 acole@nhgcc.ca www.nhgcc.ca Let us make your Wedding Day a Memorable one! Packages starting at $85 per person Booking now Booking now for the Best Datesfor the Best Dates in 2019! Some 2018 dates still available.still available. Booking now for the Best Dates in 2019! Some 2018 dates still available. Let us makeLet us make your Wedding Day ayour Wedding Day a Memorable one! 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