With Halloween approaching, we wanted to share some important reminders from the Board and TPH about staff/student costumes, social media and COVID-19 protocol.

We are allowing students to wear costumes this coming Friday as per the criteria outlined below:

A. Costume wearing is permitted as long as the costume does not impede on the ability to wear a mask (i.e. Ministry provided PPE mask only is required for all staff and medical or cloth mask only is required for all students at all times while in the school building).

B. Costume masks will not be permitted. However, wearing medical or cloth masks will continue to be required.

C. Costumes that are offensive in nature are not permitted, should not be referenced, turned into a joke, or used as inspiration for costumes. These include culturally inappropriate costumes or costumes that serve to perpetuate offensive stereotypes.

D. Costumes that include weapons or dangerous accessories are not permitted.

E. Students will be required to change into school uniform or will be sent home if the costume is deemed inappropriate.

Students have the following three options:

1. Wear a costume as per the above mentioned guidelines.

2. Wear an orange or black top with uniform trousers and/or kilt.

3. Wear their SMT Uniform.

Social Media and COVID-19 Protocol:

All staff are encouraged to review the Government of Ontario’s health and safety guidance document for schools & TCDSB’s social media guidelines prior to posting on social media in order to comply with COVID-19 guidance. This includes maintaining social distancing and mask wearing in all indoor photos posted online.

Note that this information was distributed centrally by the School Board to all families.

We will be communicating this information all week via PA announcements. Teachers are also asked to review with all of their classes prior to Friday.