Internal documents show how Waterdown high school staff responded to dress code outrage
Internal documents shed light on how a Hamilton high school and school board responded to backlash following a poorly timed dress code reminder amid a sexual assault investigation.
The school in question is Waterdown District High School. On Oct. 5, police announced they were conducting an investigation into historical" reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment at the school involving several" victims.
Two days later, with students still reeling from that news, an announcement came over the school's PA system: students were being reminded to dress appropriately, with specific reference to crop tops and tank tops.
Students interpreted that message as victim blaming, with the suggestion being survivors are to blame for assault because of how they dress. They rushed to organize a well-attended and emotionally charged walkout the next day.
Apologies from the school board and school administrators came swiftly.
The internal documents - emails and memos obtained by The Spectator through a freedom-of-information request - reveal that in the wake of the backlash: school staff warned students against spreading rumours about those involved in the allegations; they worried about possible vandalism at the school; and they advised students to be mindful" when speaking to media.
No vandalism was ever reported at the school.
The documents also suggest the person who made the initial dress code announcement was not principal Teresa Sgambato, as students thought and as media reported, but vice-principal Jennifer McGilchrist.
I can't remember exactly what I said this morning, but I said that students need to be wearing clothes that meet the dress code - where tops meet the bottoms and shoulders are covered,'" read an email from McGilchrist to Sgambato and acting superintendent Gerry Smith on Oct. 7. I said that we would be addressing those students not meeting the dress code tomorrow to give students a chance to ensure they are meeting the dress code. Students need to wear tops."
Asked this week about the attribution of the message, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) spokesperson Shawn McKillop responded with a statement that said: Administrators at a school are a team. They support each other and act to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff. The principal is responsible for day-to-day operations, implementation and enforcement at the school level."
A confidential board memo confirms the announcement was not intended to be linked to the serious allegations of sexual assault but was instead meant to address separate incidents of inappropriate dress at the school."
The documents show Sgambato emailed Smith on the afternoon of Oct. 7 saying she had broadcast an apology announcement to students. She told him she would respond to messages from concerned parents that afternoon.
Lots of phone calls and emails," she wrote. Not sure what else we can do."
However, since the initial announcement and immediate fallout, relations between students and school administrators seem to have improved.
At a school board meeting Oct. 18, two HWDSB student trustees put forward a motion demanding the dress code be scrapped and replaced with a policy based on the principles of an anti-oppressive, non-discriminatory, equitable and inclusive education." It passed unanimously.
I think things have gone pretty well," said student Taylor Riopelle, one of the organizers of the initial walkout. She told The Spec on Wednesday that students have been meeting with school administrators and board staff, working on plans to better improve supports and resources for students who are struggling with mental health and/or are survivors sexual violence.
I think the teachers understand where we were coming from," she said. From our chats with the principal, she has been super supportive."
Resources for survivors of sexual violence:
SACHA (Sexual Assault Centre, Hamilton and Area): 24-hour support line 905-525-4162; sacha.ca.
Children's Aid Society - The CAS mandate is to protect children (age 18 and under) from physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. (905) 522-1121 (intake)
Catholic Children's Aid Society - The CCAS mandate is to protect children (age 18 and under) from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect. (905) 525-2012 (intake)
SAVIS (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton): 905-875-1555.
Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre at Hamilton Health Sciences: 905-521-2100 ext. 73557.
Katrina Clarke is a reporter at The Spectator. katrinaclarke@thespec.com